The Cleveland Cavaliers had a glaring need last season.
They struggled against athletic 3-and-D wings and needed someone who could hold his own.
That’s why executive Koby Altman didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger and trade some fan favorites and key veterans to get De’Andre Hunter.
Hunter’s arrival was a key point in the season, and the Cavs went from being a very good team to a great one.
With that in mind, Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com believes that, even though Hunter has been here for a while, he might be the team’s primary reinforcement next season.
“While it would not be a roster change because he was acquired at midseason, the Cavs believe they can bring more out of De’Andre Hunter. The 6-8 forward is very skilled and should have a larger role in the offense next season,” Pluto wrote.
That makes sense, given that the Cavs may not be able to make big deals because of the salary cap implications.
More than that, Hunter’s offensive potential has gone untapped.
Injuries and sharing the court with other talented scorers prevented him from taking a leap, but he’s shown he can be an efficient three-level scorer and a volume shooter when needed.
He’s long enough to pull up and shoot over almost every defensive player he’ll face, and he’s got better handle than the average forward.
If Hunter stays healthy, which has been the only blemish in his game so far, he can be a perennial 20-point-per-game scorer, and the Cavs would benefit from giving him more touches, especially early in the season if Darius Garland isn’t at full strength.
NEXT: Analyst Has Brutal Admission About Darius Garland's Trade Value
