With Max Strus out, De'Andre Hunter moving into Cavs' starting lineup

CLEVELAND — With Max Strus possibly sidelined for the first couple of months of the season, the Cavaliers are making a huge move at small forward. De'Andre Hunter said Monday at media day at Rocket Arena that coach Kenny Atkinson asked him if he wanted to move into the starting lineup and he said he did. The 6-foot-8, 225-pounder came to Cleveland during its 14-game winning streak last season. "We were rolling," Atkinson said. "We didn't realize how multifaceted he was offensively." The Cavs coach wants to unlock Hunter's hidden talent. "He came to a team that really needed him," Atkinson said. "He was one of our best players in the Miami (playoff) series. This guy is so talented. He shoots the heck out of the ball. "I want to build a bond with him. I didn't get to do that last year. 'Where do you like the ball?' We'll make some tweaks. Some of that is to put him in a better position. I know there's more in there." Hunter said his mentality won't change. "Whether I'm in the starting lineup or coming off the bench, my mindset is the same," he said. "When you're starting, you have to be ready to go once the game starts." He said he's comfortable in both roles and can also play power forward, if needed. Hunter finished fourth in the voting for the Sixth Man of the Year award last year. He averaged 17 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 64 games. He shot .470 from the field, .405 from the 3-point line and .846 from the foul line. Hunter said the Cavs weren't mentally ready to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers won the series 4-1. "We had injuries, but other teams did as well," he said. "We can't use that as an excuse. I think we weren't mentally tough in that series. "You have to go through something like that to really test you to see where you're at. I think that series showed we're not there yet. We have to come back and get over that hump." Hunter said the expectation of being one of the top teams in the East is exciting. "For me, I have to be who I am," he said. "I have to be the best version of myself." In the offseason, Donovan Mitchell hosted the team in New York for a "minicamp," and Evan Mobley did the same thing in Los Angeles. "It shows we have a goal, a mission," Hunter said. "We're all on the same page. As a team, we are looking forward to accomplishing one thing (a championship)." Atkinson said Hunter is an introvert. "You have to build his trust," he said. "The whole coaching staff has made a big jump with him. You have to keep building trust." Hunter said he's finally gotten to know his coach. "Before, I didn't know how to approach him," he said. "I didn't know what to say to him. Now that I know him, I feel comfortable saying anything. Building that relationship definitely helps me and I think it helps him as well. We're picking each other's brains." Hunter said Atkinson was talking about practice two or three weeks ago "while we were still on vacation." "That gives you a small glimpse of (what he's like)," he said. "After games, he'll send you clips at 12 or 1 at night. He can't get enough of it." Hunter, 27, came to the Cavs from the Hawks on Feb. 6 in exchange for Caris LeVert and Georges Niang. Cleveland also received a trade exception. "It was the first time I was traded," Hunter said. "It put basketball in a different perspective. It changes how you perceive basketball." The Cavs left Monday for Sarasota, Fla., for six days of practice at the IMG Academy. Hunter said he's happy to have a full training camp with the Cavs. Cleveland will be integrating several new players into the rotation, including Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant. "This will help me get to know the guys," Hunter said. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.