This Cleveland Cavaliers forward has sent a loud and clear message to head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers swung a major move at the trade deadline, acquiring De'Andre Hunter in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers were forced to give up Caris LeVert in the trade, but they couldn't pass up the opportunity to land Hunter.
Hunter actually came off the bench for Cleveland most of last season, starting just five of the 27 games in which he played. During that time, he averaged 14.3 points and 4.2 rebounds over 25 minutes a night on 48.5/42.6/82.1 shooting splits.
However, the 27-year-old has apparently made it very clear to head coach Kenny Atkinson that he would prefer to start this coming season, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter. Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images.“I think we’re at a point where De’Andre Hunter is going to start,” Fedor said. “I think he’s going to be the starting small forward. I think Kenny [Atkinson] believes in him that way. I think Kenny wants De’Andre to play more 3 than 4 this year. And Kenny and De’Andre had a conversation when they were out together in Los Angeles, and one of the topics of that conversation was, ‘Would you prefer to start or come off the bench?’ And I’m told that De’Andre let it be known that he would prefer to start.”
Considering that Max Strus, who started for the Cavs at small forward last season, is going to be sidelined for an extended period of time after undergoing foot surgery late last month, it's looking more and more like Hunter will, in fact, start for the Cavaliers.
Hunter, who played his collegiate basketball at the University of Virginia, was originally selected by the Hawks with the fourth overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.
He never quite lived up to expectations in Atlanta, but still established himself as a very solid player, registering 14.8 points and 4.1 boards across 30.5 minutes per game on 44.9/36.8/81.9 shooting splits throughout his five-and-a-half year tenure with the Hawks.
Hunter's defense leaves a bit to be desired, but his recent offensive uptick has been noticeable and should definitely help provide some more insurance behind Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland (whenever Garland gets back on the floor) this year.