2019 NBA Mock Draft: A crazy lottery throws everything into question

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 14: NBA Draft Prospects Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and RJ Barrett look on at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: De’Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Virginia. De'Andre Hunter. 10. player. 125. . F

The idea of scalability is the kind of nerdy thing people who care about the NBA Draft talk about on Twitter. I doubt actual NBA decision-makers say those kinds of nerd words when they make high-level decisions. Their jackets are too cool to do that.

But it’s certainly worth considering for any prospect, particularly for high-level players. Scalability relates to the potential of a certain player’s game to maintain the same or a higher level of value from college to the NBA. Some, like Ben Simmons for example, are even more effective in the pros because their game is predicated upon skills that are more valuable and impactful because of the way the NBA game operates. Simmons getting into space, pushing the tempo and guarding multiple positions made him even more important to the 76ers than he was at LSU.

Hunter brings very little of that potential. He is not a great athlete despite being mobile and strong, making it tough to imagine he consistently creates good shots for himself. He will most likely be a dependent offensive talent, as we saw at Virginia. Defensively, his game is scalable, but he’s not quite big enough to defend centers, making him less valuable than many NBA forwards. It’s a situation where Hunter is good at many things but physical limitations prevent him form being great at some of the specific demands the NBA will place upon him.

At No. 10, the Hawks will just be glad to find a solid role player to add to their core. Hunter is a value pick at this spot in this weak class.

Check out our full scouting report on De’Andre Hunter.

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