While the University of Virginia marched on to an NCAA championship, one of their stars will be a hot commodity in the 2019 NBA Draft. De'Andre Hunter has led the top-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, and has showed enormous amounts of NBA potential in his sophomore campaign.
Hunter is a 6'7″ wing who can defend any position. Touted as one of the best defenders in the draft, his frame and 7'2″ wingspan give him the ability to guard along the perimeter, as well as hold his own down low. Virginia has gone to switching everything to defend teams at times this past season, and having Hunter is one of the reasons that works for them. In today's “position-less” NBA where switching on screens occurs frequently, the ability to defend multiple positions is an invaluable trait.
In addition, Hunter is shooting 45% from three-point land this season. While he's not a volume shooter, as he's only making 1.2 three's a game, he can knock them down when he gets the chance. Hunter also possesses the ability to drive and finish at the rim if a defender closes out on him. While his talents are probably just above the prototypical three-and-D player, he can be a valuable asset at the wing for any team.
And though Hunter, himself, is probably focused on cutting down the nets in a few weeks, let's explore which NBA teams he'll fit in well with next season.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
While it's still to be seen how the lottery will play out, and which teams pick where, the Timberwolves boast the 11th-worst record in the NBA. Hunter may have to drop a little bit for him to be within the Wolves' grasp, but the need is there. After the Jimmy Butler trade, both Derrick Rose and Karl-Anthony Towns have stepped up their game. However, they could use a solid wing player with Andrew Wiggins having a sluggish season.
De'Andre Hunter is a defensive beast, and the Wolves sure could use some help in that department. They rank 24th in the league in defensive rating, and are 20th in the league in opponent field goal percentage. The Wolves actually have a decent offense, ranking 12th in the NBA in offensive rating, but the miserable defense is a big reason why a star like Towns will be missing the playoffs yet again.
While Wiggins has struggled, Hunter could thrive in that role. Hunter isn't a high-volume shooter, and won't shoot 16.4 shots a game like Wiggins does. On the team, Wiggins only trails Towns in field goals attempted per game, despite Wiggins shooting merely 40% from the field and an abysmal 32% from three. Hunter, meanwhile, can knock down the open triple and can space the floor enough to stop teams from doubling Towns down low.
Hunter's defense and smart play will be a much better option for the Wolves if Wiggins continues to regress. He'll have to drop a little to be in the Wolves' range, but Minnesota should be monitoring him closely on draft night.
2. Washington Wizards
The Wizards currently own the eighth-worst record in the league, and have been searching for the right players to complement John Wall and Bradley Beal for years. And with Wall out for the foreseeable future with his Achilles' injury, Bradley Beal stands as the lone star and reliable scorer on the team.
In addition, the Wizards rank 27th in the NBA in defensive rating, showing there is a crucial need for improved defense. And the Wizards rank dead last in the league in opponent field goals made per game. Opposing teams lick their chops when they see the Wizards on their schedule, and the franchise's turnaround will have to start with a renewed emphasis on defense.
That's where De'Andre Hunter could really help. Hunter's defense is at a level where he could be an asset to, really, any team in the NBA. And on offense, Hunter could slide into the small forward position and give Beal some floor spacing to open up the half-court with his shooting and drives.
At this point, the Wizards are just looking for talent, and, as a phenomenal defender, Hunter may be the best player on the board when the Wizards have their pick. Draft analysts have Hunter going from anywhere from the sixth to the sixteenth pick. It's still to be seen how the chips will fall, but the Wizards will definitely keep their eyes open for Hunter.
1. Atlanta Hawks
Possibly the best fit for Hunter would be the Atlanta Hawks. This season, the Hawks rank 24th on offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating. But the future is bright for the young squad, with Trae Young and John Collins proving they can be foundational pieces to build around.
In the last 15 games, Young is averaging 25 points per game while shooting a blistering 40% from three-point range. John Collins is averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds a game during that stretch as well. If you add another wing who can knock down three's and drive, the offense starts to take shape.
In addition, the Hawks are currently the worst team in the league at defending the mid-range, as their opponents shoot a scorching 44% in that zone, the highest in the league. Hunter's 7'2″ wingspan, athleticism, and commitment to defense would surely help lower that number.
That Hawks have promising young talent and provide the foundation to build around. A perimeter defender next to Trae Young would go a long way in shoring things up on defense. A solid wing player and a defensive monster, who can be more than the typical three-and-D guy, would be a great fit for Atlanta.
With potentially two picks in the top 15, should De'Andre Hunter be available, the Hawks should be quick to pounce.
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