2019 NBA Mock Draft: Learning from the playoffs
. F. Virginia. De'Andre Hunter. 5. player. 125
There isn’t a center like John Collins succeeding in the playoffs. Offense-first guys who are smaller than their opponents have a tough time deterring shots in the paint and their own looks don’t come as open as they do in the regular season. Collins blocked a lot of shots in his sophomore season with the Hawks but still projects to need a big, defensive-minded 4-man next to him long-term.
Hunter is the best such option in this draft. He is 6-foot-7 and strong, blocked 2.4 percent of opponent shot attempts last season and moved well within Virginia’s pack-line defense over two seasons with the Cavaliers. Virginia may guard unconventionally compared with their college counterparts but blitzing so far out on pick-and-rolls that back-line rotations look like switches makes for great preparation for how prospects will defend in the NBA. Hunter is fairly slow compared with elite NBA defenders, but gets to the right spot consistently and creates turnovers.
The Hawks would be well-suited to switch more as they get closer to contention, taking advantage of Collins’ quickness and the size of wings like De’Andre Bembry and Kevin Huerter. If they do so, Hunter’s versatility would become a real weapon.
Taking Hunter wouldn’t be a departure from the thinking behind others recent decisions by the Hawks. They are clearly prioritizing shooting at every position and have two-way players who can space the floor in the draft the past two years. Hunter would be another in that mold, having shot 44 percent from 3 as a sophomore in addition to his size and defensive prowess.