Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Cavaliers culture continues to attract players in pursuit of title

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Feb 20, 2025 8:10 AM ET

The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) have become one of the most attractive destinations for vets pursuing a championship, and it all begins with the culture established by new head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Under Atkinson, the Cavs have become an equal-opportunity team with at least 10 rotational players attempting 6.0 or more shots and no player clocking more than 31.3 minutes per game. The Cavaliers rank third in bench minutes (19.3), sixth in bench scoring (38.8) and lead the league with 17.5 threes attempted by second-unit players. The last metric suggests Cleveland's bench mob has the license to go bombs away, unlike certain other contenders that prefer staggering the starters and limiting the roles of backups.

Cleveland's egalitarian culture hasn't gone unnoticed by players around the league. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, veteran wing Javonte Green plans to sign with the Cavaliers upon clearing waivers, following his buyout with the Pelicans. Green's addition comes after the Cavs acquired De'Andre Hunter at the trade deadline.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Javonte Green has agreed to a contract buyout and intends to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers upon clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. Additional wing depth for the East-best Cavs. pic.twitter.com/oi21Chsddk
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2025

The pair of additions mean the Cavaliers are stacked at every position, especially on the wings, which was one of their few weaknesses. Hunter has already fit in seamlessly, averaging 15.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in just 25.0 minutes in two wins before the All-Star break.

In his first comments after the trade, Hunter said his key motivation to land in Cleveland was to be a part of a winning culture.

"[The most exciting aspect] for me is winning," Hunter said of joining the Cavaliers. "In Atlanta, we've had down years and good years. But here it's expected to win, and I'd pride myself on that because I consider myself a winner."

Hunter and Green also give the Cavaliers two adept wing defenders to guard Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown if they run into the Celtics in the playoffs. They could similarly match up well with New York's wing duo of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, or even slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo in a potential showdown with the Bucks.

The Cavaliers own the third-shortest odds to win it all but the belief level within their roster and coaching staff should scare the league.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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