After the Cleveland Cavs made a deal for De’Andre Hunter, many fans believed it improved their chances of winning a championship before Cavs All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley gave their respective takes on the move. In a deal that sent former Cavs guards Caris LeVert and Georges Niang to the Hawks, Hunter’s arrival wasn’t met with complete excitement from all of his new teammates.
Mobley and Mitchell shared their honest opinions on the deal, per Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
“Mixed emotions,” said Evan Mobley, who shares the same agent as Hunter and often works out in the same offseason gym. “Vert and Georges were big factors on a very successful team. Had good energy in the locker room and kept the group tight. On the other hand, I feel like De’Andre Hunter is a good player who definitely fits how we want to play. Just want to invite De’Andre in, get him acclimated really quickly, and keep this bus rolling.”
It’s not an easy transition from seeing two important teammates go. However, Donovan Mitchell is confident the Cavs will figure things out with Hunter in the fold.
“We’re human,” Mitchell said. “It’s not just a plug-and-play thing. Natural emotions. Natural fatigue. All-Star break coming up. But we find ways. We always compete.”
One Cavs player excited about the addition of Hunter is Ty Jerome. Hunter and Jerome were teammates at the University of Virginia. They’d often dream about playing for the same NBA team — that dream came true Thursday, and Hunter screamed with excitement when he got the call.
Jerome believes Hunter is someone who will make an immediate impact on the floor and in the locker room, per Locked on Cavs’ Danny Cunningham.
“He’s a winner. He’s a winner, and he’ll put the team first like everyone else will,” Jerome said. “He’s cool. He’s our age, and he has similar interests to everyone in this room. He’ll be one of us very quickly.”
Cavs fans react to De’Andre Hunter trade
David Richard-Imagn Images
Before striking a deal with the Hawks, Lonzo Ball and Marcus Smart were potential alternatives ahead of the deadline. However, the Cavs ultimately landed Hunter hours before the NBA trade deadline.
Cavs fans reacted to the news with positive reviews.
“Hunter may be exactly what the Cavs needed,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Deandre hunter to the cavs is honestly a top 5 trade,” another user wrote.
The Cavs host the Timberwolves on Monday.
