The Cleveland Cavaliers are quietly climbing the Eastern Conference standings, riding a four-game win streak that’s pushed them to 28-20 and into the No. 5 seed. While the top of the East remains tightly packed - with the Cavs just one game behind both the Knicks and Raptors - the front office isn’t rushing into any major shakeups ahead of the trade deadline.
There’s been plenty of chatter around potential moves, but one thing is clear: Cleveland isn’t particularly interested in a deal involving Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks. And when it comes to De’Andre Hunter, they’re not exactly eager to move on from him either.
That hesitation makes sense when you look at what Hunter’s brought to the table this season. The former No. 4 overall pick is in his first full year with the Cavs after being acquired from Atlanta at last season’s trade deadline. And while he might not be putting up eye-popping numbers, he’s been a steady contributor on both ends of the floor - the kind of two-way wing every playoff team covets.
Through 41 games (23 of them starts), Hunter is logging just over 26 minutes a night, averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. His shooting splits - 42% from the field, 30.6% from three, and a sharp 87.9% from the free-throw line - show a player who’s still finding his rhythm from deep but remains efficient at the stripe and capable of creating offense.
Cleveland paid a fair price to bring him in, sending out a package that included Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, multiple second-rounders, and a couple of pick swaps. So it’s no surprise they’re not looking to flip him for less than what they gave up. That’s not just about asset management - it’s about belief in what Hunter can still become in this system.
The Cavs’ recent surge has given them some breathing room, but the margin for error in the East is razor-thin. With the second apron looming and roster decisions to be made, Cleveland’s front office is walking a tightrope: balancing long-term flexibility with short-term competitiveness. But if this team stays hot and Hunter continues to solidify his role, the Cavs might just decide that the best move at the deadline is no move at all.