Report: Cavaliers Have ‘Ramped Up Their Interest’ In De’Andre Hunter

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Cleveland Cavaliers have ramped up their trade interest in Atlanta Hawks wing De’Andre Hunter.

Sources told Hoops Wire that the Cavaliers could trade Caris LeVert to acquire Hunter.

The Cavaliers have indeed ramped up their interest and background work on Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, league sources say, making them a fascinating Deadline Day watch.

Are the Cavs, at 41-10, truly willing to make a roster-altering move today?

More NBA: https://t.co/IIIlAloJCf

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 6, 2025

Hunter is averaging 19.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists this season while shooting 46.1% from the field, 39.3% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line. He’s making $21.7 million.

The 27-year-old Hunter has career averages of 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Virginia. 

The Hawks are 23-28. They are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 40-10. They have the second-best record in the NBA under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson. 

According to NBA insider Ian Begley of SNY, the Cavaliers are not interested in trading forward Georges Niang. 

However, Cleveland may trade someone to get under the luxury tax. 

“The Cavs may move a player at the deadline to get under a luxury tax,” Begley wrote. “They have signaled to teams that they have no interest in moving Georges Niang to get under that tax. They have other avenues to shed salary, of course.”

Niang is averaging 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists this season while shooting 47.9% from the field, 40.4% from beyond the arc and 80.0% from the free-throw line. He’s making $8.5 million. 

Niang has played for the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and Cavaliers. He has career averages of 7.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists. 

It will be fascinating to see if the Cavaliers make a trade this week. They don’t have to since they have the top record in the East, but teams are always looking to improve.