RealGM

lethalweapon3 wrote:Tah-D'AH!

Q, for those in the know: If the NOP/LAL deal for AD shakes out where the Lakers can find a way to drag it out to July 30th, would De'Andre (accent-placement check verified) have to suit up with the SummerLakers instead of the SummerHawks in Vegas? Or, as I would presume would be the decision, not at all?

~lw3

It is not hard to figure out why the Hawks wanted Hunter so badly. He might be the best defender in the class, and they needed a 3-and-D guy. He is the rare rookie who should be able to hold their lineups together right away, and they have enough playmaking that they can afford to bring him along slowly as a creator. In a draft where there was nothing close to a consensus fourth-best player, the No. 4 spot turned into a potentially perfect marriage of player and team.

jayu70 wrote:

lethalweapon3 wrote:Tah-D'AH!

Q, for those in the know: If the NOP/LAL deal for AD shakes out where the Lakers can find a way to drag it out to July 30th, would De'Andre (accent-placement check verified) have to suit up with the SummerLakers instead of the SummerHawks in Vegas? Or, as I would presume would be the decision, not at all?

~lw3

Already reported that the deal will occur July 6th.
We're now part of a 3 team trade taking LALs garbage (hopefully we get an asset) to help them clear space.
Even if the trade is delayed Hunter won't play for LAL, he just won't play at all.

jayu70 wrote:

lethalweapon3 wrote:Tah-D'AH!

Q, for those in the know: If the NOP/LAL deal for AD shakes out where the Lakers can find a way to drag it out to July 30th, would De'Andre (accent-placement check verified) have to suit up with the SummerLakers instead of the SummerHawks in Vegas? Or, as I would presume would be the decision, not at all?

~lw3

Already reported that the deal will occur July 6th.
We're now part of a 3 team trade taking LALs garbage (hopefully we get an asset) to help them clear space.
Even if the trade is delayed Hunter won't play for LAL, he just won't play at all.

Worst_to_First wrote:Congratulations on getting DeAndre Hunter!

De'Andre Hunter's 2019 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Analysis of Hawks Pick



Size: 6'7"

Weight: 225 pounds

Wingspan:7'2"

Pro comparison: OG Anunoby

Hunter stamped an exclamation point on a breakout sophomore year by scoring 27 points to lift Virginia to a win in the national title game. On watch lists to start the season after a promising freshman campaign, he capitalized on the extra attention, strengthening his draft case as one of the surest bets in the field.

Offensive strengths

Hunter, who possesses a solid frame for either forward spot, buried 43.8 percent of his three-pointers. He made 48.3 percent of his guarded catch-and-shoot chances and figures to continue working as a spot-up floor-spacer. Hunter can also attack closeouts in straight lines, and he did make some improvements this year as a shot-creator, having finished in the 75th percentile as an isolation scorer and 88th percentile on post-ups. Inside the arc, he likes to operate from the shorter corners and elbows as a face-up weapon.


Offensive weaknesses

Despite shooting with accuracy, he only attempted 2.8 threes in 32.5 minutes per game, and the three-ball is expected to be his most valued offensive skill. He's also still not overly advanced working one-on-one from the wings. If Hunter can't match his shooting numbers from Virginia, it's difficult to pinpoint how much offense he'll be able to contribute, particularly given his average athleticism and limited playmaking (2.0 assists per game).

Spoiler:

Defensive outlook

With lateral foot speed, a strong upper body and long arms, Hunter helped shut down Jarrett Culver in the national championship. He'll be tasked with doing the same to opposing scorers at the next level. Coaches will also value his versatility as a defender who can switch onto any position. It's worth noting he only averaged 3.7 defensive rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, potentially worrisome indicators for a 21-year-old. But the eye test still detects a defensive asset for his lockdown potential and switchability.


Rookie-year projections

Advanced physically with enough tools and awareness to defend right away, Hunter should be a rotation player as a rookie. He shouldn't be counted on for major scoring production in 2019-20, however. Hunter will likely spend most of his minutes spotting up, and he'll earn himself opportunities by cutting and crashing the glass.



Projected role: Three-and-D role player

Turning 22 in December, Hunter isn't considered an upside pick in the draft. Shooting and defense prop up his floor and suggest he's a low-risk fit for any lineup. Like Anunoby, Hunter figures to play mostly an off-ball role on offense while being valued most for his potential to lock up opposing wings and forwards. He projects as a three-and-D wing, and only a major transformation in terms of shot-creation will allow him to bust through that ceiling.

jayu70 wrote:I know there are some who felt we gave up too much for Hunter but from reading these interwebs, the following teams were all trying to get to #4.
Celtics - were upset that No. 4 was traded to another team when they had an offer in.
Minny - NOP wanted Covington and #11, they moved up to 6 hoping Garland would fall, Cavs picked him, why...
Hawks jumped Cavs for Hunter who they were targetting.