The Cleveland Cavaliers owned the best record in the Eastern Conference before the NBA trade deadline, but the Boston Celtics remain a looming threat.

That’s why Cleveland’s front office got busy Thursday when it reportedly traded for De’Andre Hunter. The Cavs sent Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps to the Atlanta Hawks in the deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The trade upgraded Cleveland’s wing defense and gave it another offensive threat for the league’s No. 1 offense. Prior to the trade, the Cavs had LeVert, Niang, Max Strus and Sam Merrill to support their core four: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Hunter gives the Cavaliers a stronger defender to throw at Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum, and his outside shooting (39.3% from three in 37 games) fits well with Mitchell’s and Garland’s playmaking.

The reported Hunter trade came after Cleveland lost to the Celtics this week. The Cavs are 1-2 against the Celtics in their season series, with one more matchup scheduled between the sides this month. The Cavaliers likely knew they needed to do something to achieve more consistent results against the Celtics if they wanted to make a run to the NBA Finals.

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If Isaac Okoro can play in the postseason, head coach Kenny Atkinson will have enough lineup flexibility to compete against the Celtics if the sides face off in a best-of-seven series.

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