The Atlanta Hawks might need to beef up their presence in negotiations. They fell short several times in their efforts to pry additional young talent out of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the deal that ultimately landed Caris LeVert and Georges Niang along with draft capital for De’Andre Hunter.
According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, the Cavaliers have monitored Hunter since the 2019 NBA Draft in which he was the No. 4 overall pick, and even checking on his availability.
Hawks GM Landry Fields wanted different packages but was shut down by the Cavs multiple times.
“Nearly 48 hours before the deadline buzzer, talks between Cleveland and Atlanta picked up,” Fedor wrote on February 7. “The two sides started building various trade packages, with Hunter and LeVert as the general framework. It was about identifying what — or who — else would be involved.
“Initially, the Hawks wanted the 2031 first-round pick. The Cavs said no. Atlanta asked about No. 20 overall pick Jaylon Tyson. The Cavs weren’t willing to include him. Defense-first swingman Isaac Okoro wasn’t the right fit either. Atlanta and Cleveland looked for a third team to help facilitate, believing that would be a requirement as both wanted to duck the tax — until the Hawks found a taker for Cody Zeller’s contract in a separate cost-cutting trade with Houston.”
Tyson, 22, is a 6-foot-6 wing who is averaging 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds this season. He averages 8.8 PPG when seeing more than 15 minutes per game. Tyson had 16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in his first career start.
Jaylon’s first career start. Roll the tapes. 🎬 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/96w4yLCZHn
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 21, 2024
The Hawks received two pick swaps in the trade, one in 2026 and the other in 2028. But both will go through the Utah Jazz and one also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Atlanta received three second-round picks in the deal; one each in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
Cavs viewed as early winners of Hawks’ De’Andre Hunter trade
The Cavs selected Darius Garland at No. 7 after missing out on Hunter only to wind up with both players now. It is also a reunion for Hunter with his former college teammate, Cavs guard Ty Jerome.
For the Cavs, this move bolsters what has already been a historic start to their season and their outlook for the postseason.
They have been praised for their work to add to their roster without losing much.
"I think the Cleveland Cavaliers are the frontrunners in the East now"
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 7, 2025
Charles thinks there's a new team to beat in the Eastern Conference after the trade deadline 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ae9za7ocvr
Conversely, the Hawks have been lambasted for their trade deadline activity.
“I have no idea what the hell the Atlanta Hawks are doing. And they got rid of Bogdanovic also,” Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said during TNT NBA Tip-Off on February 6.
“[Cleveland] solidified themselves with the Boston Celtics as the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. This was a great play. And like I said, man, I don’t know what to hell the Hawks are doing.”
Time will tell if the Hawks made the right decision to settle not once but twice to deal Hunter.