Cavs Buzz: Lonzo Ball, De’Andre Hunter, Koby Altman, expectations

The Cavaliers didn’t trade for Lonzo Ball just to fill out the roster. They believe his skill set can raise their ceiling in the postseason. And Ball’s just as eager to make it work.

“I was excited,” Ball said of the trade from the Bulls, which sent Isaac Okoro to Chicago. “I’m happy to be in Cleveland, happy to be on this team, and to do what I can to compete for a championship.”

Ball joins a team that won 64 games last season, dominating the regular season but still searching for its breakthrough playoff run. He’s not billing himself as a savior, but he knows exactly why he’s here.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the missing piece,” Ball said at media day. “But I just think that I’m here to help win a championship, to do my part, and be a good teammate.”

Unlike some of Cleveland’s recent backup guards, Ball brings a different archetype — not a microwave scorer like Ty Jerome or Caris LeVert, and without the defensive gaps of Ricky Rubio. He’s a defense-first, efficient ball-handler who can hit shots and take care of the basketball.

“My game is pretty simple,” he said. “Play defense, hit open shots and don’t turn the ball over. Those are my three main points, and I just go from there.”

It’s the kind of profile (think Alex Caruso or Jrue Holiday) that championship teams often rely on. The big question, of course, is health. Ball missed two full seasons with a knee injury before returning last year. He still managed just 35 games before suffering a wrist injury.

He knows staying on the floor is the key.

“It’s an ongoing conversation with me and the staff,” Ball said. “It depends on how I’m feeling, but I’m looking forward to playing as many games as possible.”

Hunter’s Time

Coach Kenny Atkinson made a point to fly out to Los Angeles this summer to spend time with De’Andre Hunter, and the impact was immediate.

“It’s been huge,” Hunter said of the offseason connection with Atkinson, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “I didn’t know how to approach him or what to say to him exactly. But now that I know him, I feel comfortable saying anything because I know what kind of person he is. Building that relationship definitely helps me, and I think it helps him as well.”

Cleveland acquired Hunter on February 7, right as the team was peaking and headed into a 15-game winning streak. Integration time was minimal. This summer, that changed.

With Darius Garland recovering from toe surgery and Max Strus also sidelined, Hunter is likely to get the first crack at the starting small forward spot, with more touches and freedom than he had last year.

“Night and day,” Atkinson said. “I think last year, just natural, him and Ty [Jerome] were very, very close — best friends — which was great and that helped us. Ty kind of knew where he wanted the ball and all that. But now this year it’s like Ty’s not here, so he’s really inserted himself into the group in every sense.”

Hunter averaged 14.3 points on 48.5% shooting and 42.6% from three last season, showing flashes of his two-way impact. Those who attended voluntary runs this summer said he’s been one of the standouts, per Fedor.

Atkinson put it more bluntly: “De’Andre Hunter, you could argue, has been our best player in the offseason. He’s had an incredible offseason.”

Hunter, long labeled an introvert, is also ready to expand his voice.

“Being more vocal,” he said. “Max is one of our vocal guys who might not be around for the first few months. T.T. [Tristan Thompson] was one of our more vocal guys as well. I think I have to step into that role and help Don and DG in that regard.”

Altman’s Blueprint

For president of basketball operations Koby Altman, success this season means more than just getting back to the playoffs. It’s about taking the next step.

“We don’t take the regular season for granted at all,” Altman said. “We have to get better. We have to start using some of the strategies we want to use in the playoffs. We want to continue to grow.”

Altman outlined three clear internal priorities:

• Evan Mobley becoming more of a shot creator and playmaker. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year averaged 18.5 points and 3 assists last season, but Altman wants to see him take on even more offensive responsibility.

• Garland, currently recovering from toe surgery, using his added muscle to finish stronger once he returns. Garland is expected to miss about the first month of the season after undergoing offseason surgery.

• Donovan Mitchell taking on more point guard responsibilities early, working alongside Ball until Garland is back, to add a new layer to the offense.

Altman also noted that the team is exploring tweaks to its defensive approach during the regular season — whether that’s mixing in zones, pressing, or other strategies to prepare for playoff basketball.

“Playoff success is ultimately where we want to land,” he said.