2018 NBA Mock Draft: Who’s moving at the top?
24. . G/F. Maryland. Kevin Huerter. 22. player
After deciding Wednesday to officially leave Maryland for the draft, it appears Huerter feels confident he will be picked in the first round. The Bulls, with a massive need on the wing, should be praying he falls to 22.
In many ways, Huerter would complement the Bulls’ stable of youngsters and be able to grow with them. It’s unclear whether Zach LaVine is a part of the team’s plans going forward or what his next contract will look like, but Huerter definitely fits with the Bulls’ last two draft picks, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen. His shooting and playmaking would fill in many of the gaps that exist when a team plays a defense-first point guard and a stretch big man together, with enough shooting and size to demand defensive attention.
Jackson Hoy of The Stepien (@JHoyNBA) has taken to calling Huerter the second-best pure shooting prospect in the class behind Trae Young, if that’s any indication of his offensive value. Huerter shot 39 percent on a whopping 350 attempts at Maryland, in addition to solid assist numbers for a wing playing next to the likes of Melo Trimble, Justin Jackson and Bruno Fernando. He has elite role player potential.
At 22, with the opportunity to add a difference-making big man at the top of the draft, Chicago should be thrilled at the chance to scoop Huerter and reap the benefits of his offensive value right away.