Cavs vs. Timberwolves: Preview, Odds, Damage Report, TV

Cleveland, Ohio – For players traded before the deadline, is to enter a new dressing room as the first day of school. They take photos, meet their new teammates and coaches and crawl to learn the playbook and principles introduced as soon as possible.

It was the reality of De Hunter on Sunday, his first day with Cavs at the Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Then comes the test day.

After just an official practice, Hunter will debut in Cavs when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in the team’s last matchup in the regular season. Tipoff is set to at 1 p.m. 7pm.

One day to prepare. A day to run through acting, schemes and details with assistant coach. One day stare at a screen and run through movies to learn how his teammates work.

All Cavs Nation waits for his name to be called, eager to see how the latest addition fits.

The expectation is natural. Hunter is considered a piece that can push them over the top to championship competition and compete with the best teams in the NBA.

Then the judgment begins.

At least internally at Cavs, it may take time to acclimatize a new player, especially to a list and team that is out of its best start in the franchise story (42-10) through 52 games.

Even Hunter knows that this is an ongoing work.

“I think it will be a little tough, especially as it is the middle season,” Hunter admitted to his initial press conference after practice on Sunday. “Learning theater pieces, learning guys’ trends and similar things. Can take a while, but as far as the basketball match is concerned, it’s the same wherever you are at. Just want to take some time. ”

Hunter’s 6-foot-8 frame, 7-foot-3 wing buckles, defensive versatility, shotgun and all intangible things made him a sought after acquisition of Cavs to improve their chances of making a splash in this year’s postal season, trust the process.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson, who has included a winning culture in his first season, acknowledged that it could take up to 15 games to fully integrate Hunter. There are 30 competitions left in the regular season.

Fortunately for Cleveland, Monday’s Matchup gives an opportunity to ease Hunter in the rotation. Timberwolves will be without Divine Divincenzo (toe) and Julius Randle (groin), giving Cavs an advantage when they appear to extend their dominant season.

Although it is only day 2 for Hunter in the wine and the gold, he seems to make his first impression on the Rocket MortGage Fieldhouse a memorable.

“I think it’s expected to win,” Hunter said. “And that’s something I would like to be proud of because I would consider myself a winner. So I think that would be the biggest thing I’m excited about. ”

Wind or loss on Monday learns Cavs more about himself and about Hunter. But it ultimately does not affect their playoff. Still, as Donovan Mitchell has emphasized countless times this season, “you will always learn through victories.”