Insider Reveals A Big Concern About De’Andre Hunter

The Cleveland Cavaliers obviously wish to make adjustments in the new season because they have plans to become champions.

That means they need to make roster changes and also demand more from the players they currently have.

On the Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Ethan Sands noted a troubling statistic about De’Andre Hunter.

If he wants to become a starter for the Cavaliers, he needs to improve his average number of assists per game.

“De’Andre Hunter has never averaged more than two assists in a season, which is jarring,” Sands noted. “And that kind of goes into the point of why he might not be in the starting lineup. Ball movement stops with De’Andre Hunter because if he sees a shot that he likes, he’s going to take it.”

During his 27 games with the Cavaliers last season, Hunter averaged 1.3 assists a game, as well as 14.3 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Things weren’t much better when he was with the Hawks before that, and he posted just 1.5 assists per game over six seasons.

Hunter isn’t known for being a great facilitator, and the Cavaliers hope that he changes that.

A lot of fans wondered why Hunter didn’t immediately become a part of Cleveland’s starting five when he was sent to the team last season, and this is a major reason why.

If the Cavaliers can’t rely on him for smart and helpful assists, they simply cannot stick him into the starting rotation.

They need speed, efficiency, and great ball movement, and that isn’t provided to them by Hunter.

Hunter can remain a constant part of the second unit, or he can improve this stat and become a starter.

He’s had the long summer to work on his skills and enhance his potential for the new season, but his career history suggests his assists won’t improve much in 2025-26.