2019 NBA Mock Draft: The Lakers are finished
F. Virginia. De'Andre Hunter. 7. player. 125.
The best part of seeing more of Hunter as a sophomore for the Cavaliers is that we got to watch him go to work as a go-to scoring option in isolation more often. As Brian Geisinger wrote in his All-ACC Analytics team column:
"Hunter’s face-up game — jab step, rocker step — is his bread and butter; it’s also what Virginia can go to when its half-court offense bogs down. Throw the ball to him at the nail or elbow and let him go to work. According to Synergy, Hunter posted an effective shooting clip of 56.8 percent on half-court jump shots this season."
Indeed, Hunter became less an athletic marvel to simply point at, mouth agape. He filled out his game as a legitimate basketball player, and though the argument certainly exists he could have gone that to an even greater degree had he jumped straight to the NBA after a standout freshman season, this draft class is more fun for having Hunter around.
Geisinger added:
"Outside of the impact numbers, Hunter is the perfect cog for Virginia’s defense, which wants to avoid fouls and defend late into the clock. Hunter (2.5 fouls per 40 minutes) is long and can slide gracefully with a variety of player types…"
Atlanta’s offense is not fully fleshed out. This won’t be Virginia, where young players fit in or fit out. Fortunately, Hunter was good enough in college to carve out a sizable role for one of the best programs in the nation, but he will have an easier time making his presence felt with the Hawks, who desperately need another core piece who can settle in as a smart, versatile role player. The fit between team and player makes too much sense here.