CLEVELAND, Ohio — De’Andre Hunter wasn’t just the Cavs’ “trade deadline prize” last season — he was the culmination of a years-long pursuit.

Now, after a summer filled with late-night film sessions and confidence-building conversations with head coach Kenny Atkinson, Hunter appears ready to deliver on the promise that made him such a coveted acquisition.

In the Cavs’ preseason opener against Chicago, Hunter turned heads with his aggressive play on both ends, earning a striking comparison from Larry Nance Jr., who said “that looked like Kawhi Leonard to me.” While it’s just one preseason game, the performance suggests Cleveland’s wing solution might finally be materializing.

The Kawhi comparison isn’t just about Hunter’s scoring. It’s specifically about his ability to create space with a

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