Why It Might Be Time for the Cavs to Rethink De’Andre Hunter’s Role
When the Cleveland Cavaliers opened training camp, De’Andre Hunter was riding a wave of momentum. He’d put in a strong offseason, earning high praise from new head coach Kenny Atkinson, who even dubbed him the team’s "offseason MVP." With Max Strus sidelined since the start of the year, Hunter stepped into the starting small forward role-a spot he openly campaigned for during the summer.
But now, 27 games in, Cleveland sits at 15-12, and the early optimism surrounding Hunter’s expanded role is starting to fade. The numbers tell part of the story, but the eye test-and the team’s overall performance-suggests it might be time for a change.
The Numbers Aren’t Telling the Whole Story
On the surface, Hunter’s stat line looks respectable: 15.4 points per game on 42.9% shooting. But dig a little deeper, and the cracks start to show.
He’s hitting just 30.3% from beyond the arc, which is a problem for a team that leans on spacing to open up lanes for its guards. Even more telling, the Cavaliers have a -2.1 net rating when Hunter is on the floor.
That’s not a death sentence on its own, but it raises eyebrows when paired with his defensive struggles.
Hunter’s defense-which was expected to be a strength-has been inconsistent at best. He’s been slow to react on backdoor cuts, gets beat off the dribble more often than you’d like from a starting wing, and hasn’t brought the kind of presence on the glass Cleveland needs (just 4.3 rebounds per game). For a team trying to reestablish its defensive identity, that’s a problem.
There’s also the issue of engagement. When Hunter’s shot isn’t falling or he doesn’t get a whistle on contact, his energy tends to dip.
That’s something the Cavs have been trying to fight all season-keeping the mental edge sharp, even when the offense isn’t clicking. Right now, Hunter isn’t consistently bringing that edge.
A Case for Dean Wade
If the Cavs are serious about tightening things up defensively, Dean Wade deserves a longer look in the starting five. Wade has quietly become Cleveland’s best point-of-attack defender, and the numbers back it up.
When he’s swapped in for Hunter, the Cavs are nearly four points better defensively. That’s not a small swing-it’s the kind of impact that can shift the outcome of close games.
Wade’s not the scorer Hunter is, but he brings other tools to the table. He’s more physical on the boards, more locked in defensively, and doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. That kind of glue-guy mentality can go a long way when playing alongside high-usage players like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
Back to the Bench-But Not as a Step Back
Here’s the thing: moving Hunter to the bench doesn’t have to be viewed as a demotion. In fact, it might be the best way to unlock his game again.
Last season, Hunter thrived in a sixth-man role. Coming off the bench allowed him to ease into the game, find his rhythm against second units, and play freer without the pressure of being a primary option.
His scoring skill set-midrange touch, slashing ability, and the occasional hot streak from deep-fits better with the second unit, where he can be more of a focal point. It’s not about punishing him for a slow start. It’s about putting him in a spot where he can succeed and help the team more consistently.
Big Picture: It’s About the Playoffs
The Cavs still have plenty of time to find their groove. But if they want to be ready for a playoff push, they can’t afford to wait too long to make necessary adjustments.
Rotations get shorter in the postseason, and chemistry matters more than ever. Making a move now-reworking the starting five and letting Hunter lead the second unit-gives the team time to settle into new roles before the games really start to count.
Atkinson and his staff have preached adaptability all season. This is the kind of pivot that could pay dividends down the line.
Hunter’s still a valuable piece of the puzzle. But for Cleveland to reach its full potential, that piece might fit better coming off the bench.