The NBA trade deadline this season brought significant movement, particularly for the Atlanta Hawks, who traded away two key players: De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Their decisions have led to contrasting trajectories for both the team and the players involved as they adapt to new environments.
De’Andre Hunter's transition from the Hawks to the Cleveland Cavaliers has been particularly noteworthy. Originally selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans before being traded to Atlanta on draft night, Hunter had been a consistent presence for the Hawks. With Atlanta, he averaged 19.0 points per game (PPG) on 61.6% true shooting, making him not only valuable but also pivotal as potential Sixth Man of the Year this season. His recent performance, post-trade, reflected challenges and adaptations: Hunter is now averaging just 14.0 PPG over six games with the Cavaliers, significantly fewer minutes than he experienced with Atlanta. Yet, there is a bright side: his efficiency has dramatically improved, with his true shooting percentage rising to 68.8%, along with 56.7% shooting from three-point range—up from 39.3% with the Hawks.
Comparatively, the Hawks have struggled since Hunter’s departure. They have posted a 4-4 record since the trade deadline, including 1-4 in their last five games, landing them ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. On the other side, the Cavaliers are thriving, currently on a seven-game winning streak, positioning them as the top seed entering games on February 28, 2025.
While Hunter's individual numbers have dipped, the functionality and overall team chemistry seem to benefit him and the Cavaliers. The trade was understandable—his injury history and contract made him available. The Hawks needed to shake things up for their late-season push, but initial signs indicate the Cavaliers may have gained more from the exchange.
Alongside Hunter’s trade, Bogdan Bogdanovic’s move to the Los Angeles Clippers has also been transformative. Once part of the Hawks’ core lineup, Bogdanovic had been struggling this season, posting 10.2 PPG. Since joining the Clippers, he has found renewed energy, now averaging 11.0 PPG. His climb reflects initial adjustments, highlighted by separate performances averaging 13.3 PPG after struggling at the start. The Clippers, currently holding the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, also seem to benefit from Bogdanovic’s catching stride, providing them with much-needed depth at this stage of the season.
Despite their different fates post-trade, both Hunter and Bogdanovic are players who needed fresh starts. Their presence on the Clippers and Cavaliers might just work favorably for both franchises, emphasizing the transactional nature of NBA players’ careers.
Switching gears to Detroit, Cade Cunningham has been making headlines with his performance for the Pistons. After guiding the team to victory against the Boston Celtics—his eighth consecutive win—Cunningham is drawing significant attention for his ranking leap to No. 17 on The Ringer’s post-All-Star top 100 list. This leap signals his evolution: once valued as the 28th best player, Cunningham now embodies the role of the elite guard the Pistons envisioned when they drafted him first overall. “It’s been one of the great joys of this NBA season to see Cunningham in open space for the first time. Everything he does feels lighter,” noted The Ringer.
Cunningham’s statistics are impressive: he's averaging 26 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds per game, shooting 46% from the field and 36% from three, all sharply contrasting with the previous seasons plagued by injuries and minimal support on the team. This season's addition of veterans and the development of homegrown talent has created space for Cunningham to flourish, transforming the Pistons from cellar dwellers to serious playoff contenders as they eye their ninth consecutive victory against the Denver Nuggets.
These shifting dynamics around the league highlight just how quickly fortunes can change—both for players and teams alike. The trade deadline reshapes narratives, provides opportunities for redemption, and shifts competitive balances. The performance trajectories of Hunter, Bogdanovic, and Cunningham spell out what the remainder of the season could hold. With playoffs looming, the effects of these trades and player developments will become key focal points as the NBA season races to its exciting conclusion.