De'Andre Hunter Confirms Starting Role for Cleveland Cavaliers Amid Max Strus Injury

De'Andre Hunter, who joined the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, is expected to become a starter for the team in the 2025-26 season. Hunter's integration into the team was initially limited due to joining midseason and a thumb injury that hampered his playoff performance, but he showed promising contributions with strong shooting percentages and defensive impact. Head coach Kenny Atkinson and Hunter have built a better rapport over the offseason, with Atkinson explicitly asking Hunter if he wants to start, to which Hunter responded affirmatively. Max Strus, the usual starting small forward, is sidelined for several months due to foot surgery, creating an opening for Hunter in the starting lineup. Cleveland's dominant five-man unit including Hunter demonstrated a +28.8 net rating in limited minutes last season, highlighting his potential value as a starter. Overall, Hunter's role is poised to expand, and he aims to solidify his place as a key starter alongside the Cavaliers' core players.