2018 NBA Mock Draft: Promises, promises
Kevin Huerter. 20. player. 86. . G/F. Maryland
In a surprise announcement Wednesday, ESPN reported Huerter will undergo surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right hand. He will reportedly miss two months. It would be tough to imagine him getting taken this high with teams having to weigh that injury, but he still has the talent to earn a top-20 selection.
After making a strong impression at the draft combine, Huerter skyrocketed up draft boards. With the attention in Maryland seemingly diverted toward Melo Trimble, Justin Jackson and Bruno Fernando during Huerter’s two college seasons, Huerter flew under the radar as a four-star recruit with a non-traditional offensive game.
His best two skills are shooting and passing, but he also posssses the size and mobility to grow on defense. Maybe Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau never gives him that chance, but he deserves the opportunity to grow on an exciting young team like Minnesota.
Factoring that injury to his shooting hand, it’s tough to know how Huerter will transition to the NBA, even if he’s good to go by training camp. He shot 39 percent from 3 in college, and if the shot takes a while, it will be a difficult adjustment for him. The two-month recovery likely knocks him out of Summer League, meaning the next time we’ll see him is in camp with whichever teams takes a chance.
It just might be Minnesota.