De’Andre Hunter isn’t going anywhere - and he wants to make that crystal clear.
The Cleveland Cavaliers forward addressed the swirling trade rumors head-on during shootaround in Philadelphia, shutting down any suggestion that he’s looking for a way out. The 28-year-old veteran, acquired by Cleveland last February, didn’t mince words when asked about the chatter.
“Why would I want to be traded? I'm happy here, for real,” Hunter said.
“I have no reason not to be happy here. My time here has been great.”
It’s a direct response to recent speculation that suggested Hunter was unhappy in Cleveland and potentially seeking a move. But according to the man himself, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Hunter’s mindset? Patience and perspective.
He knows how NBA seasons unfold - the ups, the downs, and everything in between. And for a guy who’s seen his fair share of both, the key is staying grounded.
“People tend to put a timestamp on how things should look, but I think with anything new, it takes time,” Hunter said. “You're not going to get the best product right away.
I'm a patient guy. I've been in the league for a while, and I know how things can go, how seasons can go.
You can start off bad and end it good. You can start off good and end it bad.
I've seen it all.”
So far, this season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan for Hunter. His first four months have been uneven, and by the numbers, it’s been a struggle to find rhythm. A league source close to the team even described the year as a “disaster” - not necessarily for Hunter alone, but for the team’s overall lack of focus.
Still, there’s no panic in Cleveland’s locker room. The Cavs are sticking with Hunter, and his teammates remain confident in what he brings to the table - even if the production hasn’t quite matched the effort just yet.
“I've been in the league for a while now, and I know the work is always going to prevail,” Hunter said. “If I just keep working, keep doing what I'm supposed to do, it'll eventually turn.
I'm confident in that. I'm not worried.”
That quiet confidence is part of what’s earned him respect in the locker room. Teammates see the work behind the scenes - the extra reps, the film study, the commitment to doing things the right way. And while the results haven’t fully materialized, there’s a belief that it’s just a matter of time.
Cleveland, sitting at 22-19, is treading water in the Eastern Conference. Their last 10 games?
A 5-5 split. Not great, not terrible - but certainly not where they want to be.
The good news? In a tightly packed East, a solid two-to-three week stretch could change everything.
“Not totally out of it,” the source added. “Just need everyone to play average.”
That might sound like a low bar, but in a league where consistency is often the difference between a play-in spot and home-court advantage, average can be enough - especially when you’ve got talent waiting to click.
For Hunter, the message is simple: he’s locked in, not looking around. And if his words are any indication, he’s ready to ride out the bumps and help this Cavaliers team find its stride.
“I just stay level-headed,” he said. “Through all the media stuff, the bad games, the good games - everything. Just stay level-headed.”