2019 NBA Mock Draft: Getting familiar with the top of the 2019 class

The draft nerd prize of this year’s draft, Hunter chose to remain at Virginia after a wrist injury suffered during last season’s ACC tournament required surgery. Infamously, his Cavaliers teammates went on to lose to No. 16-seeded University of Maryland – Baltimore County, a first in NCAA history. One would imagine that loss and the development he missed out on in high-pressure spring games both played a factor in his eventual decision to stay at school.

Hunter exploded out of the gates this year, healthy and elevated to the starting lineup. Through 12 games, Hunter is averaging 20.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 54 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3. The boost in offensive efficiency has been his biggest point of growth since last season when he was the Sixth Man for a more defensive-minded team.

After trading Kelly Oubre Jr. and potentially doing the same with Otto Porter Jr. ahead of February’s deadline, the Wizards need a player like Hunter. For years, they’ve been thin on modern, versatile NBA players, unable to develop or retain them as the price leaped for their stars. Instead, everyone from Markieff Morris to Andrew Nicholson saw time at forward.

Washington ultimately needs to think about what its roster might look like reformulated around Bradley Beal while they desperately search for workable John Wall trades. Hunter’s 3-and-D game in a 6-foot-7 frame is ideal alongside a scorer like Beal.