De’Andre Hunter’s Struggles Continue - And the Cavs Know They Need to Fix It
When the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for De’Andre Hunter at last season’s deadline, it was a clear signal: they were all-in. Pushing into second-apron territory wasn’t just a financial decision - it was a basketball one. Hunter’s two-way potential, his size on the wing, and his ability to slot in alongside the Core Four made him a logical piece for a team with playoff aspirations.
But nearly a year later, the fit still hasn’t clicked the way Cleveland hoped. And right now, Hunter is in the thick of the roughest stretch he’s had since arriving in Northeast Ohio.
Let’s start with the numbers. On paper, Hunter’s season average of 15.1 points per game doesn’t scream “struggling.”
But the efficiency tells a different story. He’s shooting just 42.5% from the field and a rough 30.3% from three - numbers that are especially concerning given the Cavaliers’ injury issues this season.
With key players sidelined, Hunter's usage has gone up, but his production hasn't followed suit.
December Has Been Brutal
This month in particular has been a cold spell for Hunter. Through eight games in December, he’s averaging just 10.2 points on 33% shooting overall and 22% from deep. That’s not just a slump - that’s a player searching for answers.
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson has seen it, too. And to his credit, he’s not shying away from taking responsibility.
“I always look at it, if a guy's struggling, as good a player as he is, I kind of put a lot on me,” Atkinson said after Cleveland’s recent loss to Chicago. “He's too good of a player to be at this level.
He's probably at a C-level. He should be in an A-level.”
It’s not just talk, either. Atkinson has already started tinkering, sliding Hunter into a bench role in hopes that a change of scenery - and a different set of teammates - might help unlock something. It’s only been two games, but the move signals that the Cavs are actively trying to find solutions, not just waiting for Hunter to shoot his way out of it.
“We're gonna keep trying different things to help him,” Atkinson added. “I think I put a lot of that on myself.”
Finding the Right Role - Starter or Spark Plug?
The big question now is where Hunter fits best once the Cavaliers get healthy. When Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and others return, does Hunter slot back into the starting five? Or does he continue to anchor the second unit, potentially alongside Lonzo Ball, where he might have more offensive freedom and less pressure?
Either way, Cleveland needs to find a version of Hunter that looks more like the player they traded for - the one who was supposed to be a 3-and-D cornerstone, a wing who could knock down open shots, defend multiple positions, and give the Cavs some much-needed size and versatility on the perimeter.
Right now, that version of Hunter feels distant. But the Cavs aren’t giving up on him.
They can’t afford to. Not with how much they invested in bringing him in, and not with how thin the margin is in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.
This isn’t just about numbers - it’s about confidence, rhythm, and fit. And while Hunter’s shot isn’t falling, the Cavs are still betting that he can find his place in their system.
The good news? There’s still time.
The season is long, and Hunter’s talent hasn’t disappeared. But if the Cavs want to make good on their win-now ambitions, they’ll need to get him back to that A-level - sooner rather than later.