The floundering Cavs are making a lineup change Wednesday night.

Sources tell cleveland.com that starting small forward De’Andre Hunter will move to the bench for the foreseeable future. Rugged second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson will take over Hunter’s old spot.

Hunter, who has started the first 23 games that he has appeared in, continues to struggle in a starting role, with two single-digit scoring performances in the past three games. This move is not only intended to stabilize Cleveland’s inconsistent — and thinned-out — bench but is expected to help Hunter find his comfort zone once again, back in the role that allowed him to have a career year in 2024-25.

As a result of Max Strus’ offseason foot injury and subsequent conversation with Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson about Hunter’s best role, the 28-year-old swingman was named the Opening Night starter. But the fit hasn’t been right, as Hunter is averaging 15.4 points on 42.9% from the field and 30.3% from 3-point range.

Source: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2025/12/cavs-to-make-starting-lineup-change-wednesday-night-vs-chicago-bulls.html

mmmjeep | Hawks

199 | 15 hours ago

Yeah Hunter has these stretches. It’s best for him to scale it back on the bench until he gets his rhythm going.

Both_Funny4896 | Jordan

59 | 13 hours ago

the shooting is whatever tbh. I think the bigger issue in Atlanta was his defense inconsistency and inability to rebound. If you’re not gonna shoot well you gotta at least defend and box out.

nobraininmyoxygen | Cavaliers

19 | 12 hours ago

Yeah Hunter has been one of the Cavs worst defenders/rebounders all season

Maverick_1991 | Hawks

6 | 6 hours ago

He has always been an atrocious rebounder for his size and athleticisim

ChiefSoldierFrog

14 | 12 hours ago

I thought he found his role in the league as a flamethrower off the bench for the Hawks and Cavs last season? I wonder why the Cavs decided to start him.

kemicode

4 | 7 hours ago

Problem is he’s inconsistent. He goes on stretches where he doesn’t miss then the law of averages hits him hard

Mysterious_Shake_689

0 | 12 hours ago

He started for the Cavs last year

Fickle-Putt99 | Cavaliers

14 | 12 hours ago

He was coming off the bench. Strus is our normal starter at the 3

Adventurous_Cut_7355

86 | 15 hours ago

He’ll find his rhythm again. Doubt he just forgot how to shoot. I don’t watch the Cavs the only clip I’ve seen is that nasty ankle breaker on Giddey, I assumed he was playing well lol

ktulu0

27 | 14 hours ago

He has his moments, but he’s really inconsistent right now.

Maverick_1991 | Hawks

3 | 6 hours ago

He definitely does.

Both kinds. Good and bad.

Chessh2036 | Hawks

8 | 14 hours ago

That’s how he was in Atlanta, inconsistent. But he’ll get his groove back, I think it’s smart to bring him off the bench.

Defiant_Regular3738

3 | 14 hours ago

Cavs fell apart. Seems like Garland might have impacted winning more than his haters believe.

SUPERSAMMICH6996 | Cavaliers

33 | 14 hours ago

It’s not just Garland. Compared to last season this time, the Cavs are down: Merrill, Garland, Allen, Mobley, Strus, Jerome, Okoro (traded for Ball), Levert, and Niang (traded for Hunter). That’s… a playoff caliber team in its own right.

I get that it’s fun to jump on the hate highway, but the Cavs really have heen dealing with a ton of injuries.

AashyLarry | MIA

14 | 14 hours ago

The Cavs are 5-6 when Garland plays this season btw

Standard-Juice-3738 | Cavaliers

23 | 14 hours ago

Garland ain’t Garland right now. His toe is still not ok

HopingDeathComessoon | Pistons

11 | 14 hours ago

Garland still has health issues with his foot tho

AashyLarry | MIA

3 | 14 hours ago

Yeah, not blaming it on him. A lot of others in an out with injuries too.

Ty Jerome is probably one of the biggest losses this year. He was massive for them last season.

narcistic_asshole | Cavaliers

1 | 13 hours ago

He was playing well for a little while this season. He’s always been streaky, he’s just in a nasty shooting slump rn

amoeba-tower | Cavaliers

-1 | 13 hours ago

Maybe he has forgot how to shoot. Like amnesia and stuff. Can’t believe OP said that he straight up forgot to shoot, thanks for correcting them.

Commercial-East4069 | Cavaliers

41 | 14 hours ago

Makes sense. Hunter’s scoring is mostly independent of the rest of the offense. He really isn’t all that great of a defender and rebounder either. I think he functions best when you need someone to get a decent shot once the offense stagnates and where he doesn’t have to be a primary defender on elite scorers.

It might be more of a Strus and Tyson battle going forward.

AashyLarry | MIA

16 | 14 hours ago

I’ve watched a decent amount of Cavs games this year and I think Tyson might just be better than both of them.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens when Strus returns though.

Commercial-East4069 | Cavaliers

1 | 14 hours ago

Could be.

boozinf | CLE

10 | 13 hours ago

The Microwave-Hot take (pun very much intended) is that Hunter should be coming off the bench regardless.

Him, CPJ, Merrill, and whomever isn’t starting out of Strus and Tyson on a given night is compelling energy off the bench.

As I was typing this, Lonzo Ball shot a corner three off the side of the backboard.

Commercial-East4069 | Cavaliers

1 | 13 hours ago

Lonzo would be such nice fit, if his jumper wasnt mia lol.

Yeah I think I go Strus in the starting lineup. I think his defense is at least going to be technically sounds. Offensively, he can really maximize the other starters

ruckyruciano | Knicks

4 | 14 hours ago

I hear that the defense and rebounding isn’t quite there with him which is disappointing, I really thought he was one of the missing pieces for y’all, how does a guy like that not defend and rebound well enough

amidon1130 | Hawks

3 | 4 hours ago

If he was a good rebounder and defender the hawks would have hung on to him, those have been his problems for years. Still like him though, he can go get a bucket when he needs to.

Commercial-East4069 | Cavaliers

1 | 13 hours ago

Yeah, I would say the defense is what has been underwhelming. He has the tools, but the iq and focus can be questionable. They’ve been playing a lot of younger guys though, so it’s not a normal context.

That said, he fits great as a bench scorer with size and defensive versatility. Strus and Tyson just do more of the dirty work and function better within a structured offense.

Julio_Freeman | Hawks

26 | 14 hours ago

The best ball of his career was coming off the bench last year. Even some the year before. Just keep him there.

gigglios

6 | 14 hours ago

Tyson should win MIP at this rate. But that award is a farce

LouieM13 | NYK

7 | 14 hours ago

Aka “You and Garland are both inconsistent shooters who can’t defend, Garland offers passing and ball movement so you have to go to the bench”

roshidawg23

6 | 11 hours ago

It’s weird he came into the league known for his defense

staatsclaas | Hawks

2 | 2 hours ago

I remember the not-trying-to-ironic-at-all jail memes about Hunter locking down people.

MrFishAndLoaves | Pelicans

7 | 15 hours ago

Starting small forward De’Andre Hunter

Yeah… uhhh about that.

No-Test6484 | Lakers

2 | 14 hours ago

Trade 1 of hunter, Allen or Garland.

WhoUCuh

2 | 14 hours ago

Buddy fell off.

artninjatheo | Hawks

8 | 14 hours ago

He was never on

WhoUCuh

1 | 14 hours ago

lol

ExleyPearce | LAL

2 | 11 hours ago

I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve seen of Tyson.

Ok-Tree4365

1 | 14 hours ago

He’s a better bench player anyway.

PenisMcBallsAllStars

1 | 13 hours ago

Rugged

LeJalenJohnsonMVP | Hawks

2 | 2 hours ago

That’s odd because I heard we got fleeced when he was traded. Huh

Ntippit

0 | 14 hours ago

Never should have traded Caris and the minivan. Messed with the chemistry

Soapstarboi | Cavaliers

1 | 14 hours ago

lol no

Ntippit

1 | 12 hours ago

Hunter has sure been great for us… how’d he do tonight? How’d the Cavs do tonight? The team is in free fall

Ancient_Response_787

-9 | 15 hours ago

Cavs need to blow it up, They aren’t good enough and there’s too much salary. The experiment is over. BLOW IT UP

it_dudeGG | Lakers

6 | 15 hours ago

They can try to retool by trading Allen and Garland, building around Mobley and Mitchell.

primepierce34 | BOS

1 | 15 hours ago

Trading Mitchell and Allen makes more sense. Garland and Mobley are younger and have more synergy.

MacJonesisaterrorist | Celtics

10 | 14 hours ago

Garland is one of the worst defenders i’ve ever seen in the playoffs, Guy looks 5 inches shorter compared to Pritchard who’s like 6’1

LouieM13 | NYK

4 | 14 hours ago

Garland can’t defend and is a really inconsistent shooter

ButlerFromDowntown | Bulls

3 | 14 hours ago

Garland is also constantly injured it seems. Some of them are fairly flukish but it’s still true that every other season, Garland has struggled heavily and the Cavs are very reliant on him to play at his best to be more than a first round exit team.

primepierce34 | BOS

3 | 14 hours ago

Well either way, trading Garland is going to be very difficult if he’s seen as a negative due to his injuries and limitations, and moving forward with him is also difficult.

It’s better to trade Mitchell whose value is at his highest and either wait out Garland’s contract or wait until his value is higher at any point while the Cavs retool/rebuild.

Trying to trade Garland now while his value is at his lowest is frankly stupid

ja21121

2 | 14 hours ago

If the Cavs feel they need to choose between Mitchell and Garland, its Mitchell 100% of the time. Mitchell is going nowhere unless he demands out

iro3 | Spurs

-10 | 15 hours ago

I mean I get it but Tyson can’t shoot correct?

Commercial-East4069 | Cavaliers

5 | 15 hours ago

No, he’s shot really well this year.

WayAdministrative679 | Minneapolis Lakers

3 | 15 hours ago

He’s shooting 46.5% from three this year

iro3 | Spurs

-1 | 15 hours ago

Small volume or decent?

crusader104 | Cavaliers

6 | 14 hours ago

Looks like 4.5 per game

Soapstarboi | Cavaliers

1 | 14 hours ago

This move is for the betterment of Hunter. He can go shoot all he wants with the 2nd unit.

DidAnyoneElseJustCum | Cavaliers

-1 | 15 hours ago

Right now he can’t. He’s down 12% on 3s compared to last year on the Cavs. Maybe not having a proper PG has really effected him. What’s been more disappointing is his defense. He was brought in to be a longer wing that the Cavs didn’t have but at this point I’d rather have kept LeVert.

[Fedor] Starting small forward De’Andre Hunter will move to the bench for the foreseeable future. Rugged second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson will take over Hunter’s old spot.