De’Andre Hunter was not drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. He was selected No. 4 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. But the Hawks acquired him from the New Orleans Pelicans, who landed him in a deal with LA shortly after the draft.
But Hunter has been a Hawk from Day 1 of his playing career, at least he was until the Hawks traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2025 deadline.
The news hit Hunter hard.
“As I gather my emotions and thoughts, I feel appreciative for the last 6 years I got the opportunity to play for the city of Atlanta. Appreciative of all the fans that stuck with me through injuries, wins, losses, and everything in between. You celebrated my best moments, and supported me when I needed it most, and for that it will always be love. Appreciative of the amazing people I had the chance to work with, from the coaches down to the PT staff. You all played a role in making me feel welcomed as a young man in a new city and I could never thank y’all enough for that,” Hunter said in a post on Instagram on February 7.
“Atlanta will always be a second home that holds a special place in my heart. I’ll FOREVER be #TruetoAtlanta.”
The Hawks shared a video tribute for Hunter on their social platforms.
True to Atlanta since Day 1 🤞
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 7, 2025
Thank you, De'Andre ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pNEWc40oiy
Hunter, who is in Year 2 of a four-year, $90 million contract, was having a career-year mostly coming off the bench for the Hawks this season. He is no stranger to trade speculation, and this year’s deadline chatter was the same story.
However, the news of Hunter’s exit affected his teammates with Onyeka Okongwu sharing a short message that summed it up.
“Define heartbreak,” Okongwu posted on X, quoting ESPN’s report on the trade.
De’Andre Hunter reunites with Cavaliers teammate after Hawks trade
Hunter averaged 24.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 43.5% from downtown in three games against the Cavaliers in their regular-season series. The Hawks went 2-1.
They will not meet again unless it is in the postseason.
In the meantime, Hunter is reunited with former Virginia Cavaliers teammate, Ty Jerome. The two won a national championship together in 2019 and will now look to do the same with the Cavaliers.
Cleveland enters play with the best record in the NBA and just added a 20-PPG scorer at a value price. So long as Hunter can remain healthy, which has been a challenge for him in his career, it should not take long for him to pay off fo the Cavs.