Was Hunter a Reach at 4?

[HotelVitale]

Useful info to all Hawks fans. Do not panic if Hunter will have a disappointing rookie season. Out of all positions, small forwards need the most time to develop. Out of all active SF's only LBJ and KD has a notable rookie season (+Tatum, and Melo if he is still counted as active). Giannis started a career with 7-4-2, Kawhi with 8-5-1, George 8-4-1, Butler is 3ppg invisible as a rookie, Middleton 6-2-1... etc...

Seems like shaky reasoning, the situations here explain this more than an actual pattern of late blooming. Giannis had never played ball at a high level before and was absurdly raw, PG was also very raw and wasn't a lead player even at his mid-major school, Kawhi stepped into a contender with a full rotation, ditto Butler, and Middleton was a 2nd rounder buried on a team with established guys. Note that ALL of those guys were drafted outside the lottery too (except PG who was drafted late lotto)--which means they weren't seen as ready to go or at least weren't expected to be thrown in to contribute right away.

EDIT: but I agree don't panic, because rookie.

[HotelVitale]

Seeing how wings such as Ariza,Kawhi,and Siakam have gave the Warriors problems with their length I don't see why the Hawks shouldn't have drafted Hunter. He is going to be an elite defender but he'll average 21 ppg max and that is reaching. Hunter will specialize on defense and be a marksman.

There's really no reason to assume he's a killer defender in the NBA, though. He's long and he competes, but he doesn't have any kind of crazy lockdown footwork or intuition or anything. I worry that his D is a little bit of a system product: UVA emphasized defense and everyone had to focus on that to play, and they played so slow that he was mostly defending college scorers against a full set D in the half court. I think he's a good defensive prospect but definitely don't see a surefire amazing defender at the next level (I actually might like his offensive potential as much, though it's less of a sure thing and could flop). Think this is the usual thing where we're thinking in types and comparisons about draft picks instead of just seeing them individually.

[karkinos]

nba wings not named nassir little are a premium

[TheGOATWill]

Hawks believe they found the next Kawhi. Must have really liked what they saw and heard when they brought him in. And for my money this kid has the best NBA frame of anybody in the draft.

[New_Hawks_Era]

No, he just seems like the kind of player that no matter where you play him or what team he goes to he just makes better. Plug and play type, adjustable mindset.

If you need him to score he does that. If you need a stop on a PG that's hot, put him on him. If u need a big rebound or to hit a big free throw or something like that. He's the guy.

Look at Virginia when he was there, that team would not be that good and win a Championship without him, ask anyone who is a Virginia fan. Look at how he just embarrassed Culver in the Championship game. Culver looked like a deer in headlights against him.

He fits so well with the Hawks but I think no matter where he was picked he would be 1st team rookie anyway. Excellent pick by that Hawks and worth the so called overpay.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I think there's a good chance it turns out a waste of an opportunity, but he was routinely mocked in the top 10. I question the philosophy of drafting a "defensive solution" high, though. That's not how defense works at all, and typically these picks end up not working out. And while the draft is skewing to older players a little more recently, a 22 year old (which he'll be midway through season 1) wing is a bit of a risk. The fact that he only worked out for the Hawks also makes it seem like they didn't want to consider anyone else.

He’s not just a defensive player. Remember he played for a UVA team that’s plays an incredibly slow pace.

Hunter's per 100 conference:
31/11/4 with 3 turnovers on 53/50/76 shooting splits (63 TS% - 7.3 OBPM)

He still doesn't have a lot of ball skills that would make you think there's upside on offense into a 2nd or 3rd option, but if that's what the Hawks have found out or believe than it's up to them now.

I usually think it's a good sign when teams reach a bit or move up to get the player they want, but I'm just pointing out some of the concerning signs and some of the things I just don't like in general when it comes to the draft.

Older players tend to fit in better with good teams. I don't know how many older players drafted high lotto tend to develop skills in the pros that they didn't have in college.

[Buzzard]

I think there's a good chance it turns out a waste of an opportunity, but he was routinely mocked in the top 10. I question the philosophy of drafting a "defensive solution" high, though. That's not how defense works at all, and typically these picks end up not working out. And while the draft is skewing to older players a little more recently, a 22 year old (which he'll be midway through season 1) wing is a bit of a risk. The fact that he only worked out for the Hawks also makes it seem like they didn't want to consider anyone else.

He’s not just a defensive player. Remember he played for a UVA team that’s plays an incredibly slow pace.

Hunter's per 100 conference:
31/11/4 with 3 turnovers on 53/50/76 shooting splits (63 TS% - 7.3 OBPM)

He still doesn't have a lot of ball skills that would make you think there's upside on offense into a 2nd or 3rd option, but if that's what the Hawks have found out or believe than it's up to them now.

I usually think it's a good sign when teams reach a bit or move up to get the player they want, but I'm just pointing out some of the concerning signs and some of the things I just don't like in general when it comes to the draft.

Older players tend to fit in better with good teams. I don't know how many older players drafted high lotto tend to develop skills in the pros that they didn't have in college.

I agree that the consensus is that older players fit in with better teams. But I also think a lot of that is due to older players getting drafted later. Hunter will bring a mature tough defensive minded attitude; and if he just shoots as well as he did for two seasons at Virginia, he is a superb pick.

[Fat]

no he's fine being selected at 4 in this draft and a solid fit for the hawks

[Harry Garris]

No. He's a "safe" pick as in he has a very high floor, but people are underestimating how valuable really good wing players are. Exactly what the Hawks, and most teams in the NBA for that matter, needed with that pick.

[2LeTTeRS]

Huge reach in my opinion or else this draft is really weak. I think he is a solid bet to be the next Shane Battier. High character, solid defender, decent but reluctant 3 pt shooter, team player. I think you know what you are getting with him. At same time, using a #4 pick on a guy who is average athletically, doesn’t create his own shot, is a SF who isn’t a threat to drive.....I don’t know, seems like a mid lotto guy to me. However, I do think it’s even worse to trade a #4 pick down to get multiple picks in a weak draft. I guess knowing they could take a shot at a high reward guy like Cam Reddish at 10 makes it a reasonable choice.

I actually think Battier is a good comp for Hunter; although Hunter is a bit bigger and plays in a league that values big wings a lot more. I agree that he has a high floor and if Young and Collins are as good as I think they are he should be a perfect complimentary piece.

Edit - Additionally, assuming the Hawks weren't expecting to be big spenders in free agency I love their deal with New Orleans. Hill's paid a lot but he will be off Atlanta's books in a year; and learning that the supposed future 1st rounder that they shipped away is probably becoming 2 2nds removed all my concerns.

Unless the Pelicans strike it big in free agency they lost this one big time IMO.

[azuresou1]

Hunter, Garland > RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett Duke playtypes


Barrett was not particularly great in any of his most common playtypes at Duke. The volume numbers take away from the meh efficiency. Hunter was good to great in most of his playtypes:

De'Andre Hunter Virginia playtypes

This is a fascinating breakdown. Would you happen to have this type of breakdown for Cam Reddish as well?

[rate_]

Spoiler:

Hunter, Garland > RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett Duke playtypes


Barrett was not particularly great in any of his most common playtypes at Duke. The volume numbers take away from the meh efficiency. Hunter was good to great in most of his playtypes:

De'Andre Hunter Virginia playtypes

This is a fascinating breakdown. Would you happen to have this type of breakdown for Cam Reddish as well?

Cam Reddish Duke playtypes

[Buzzard]

No. He's a "safe" pick as in he has a very high floor, but people are underestimating how valuable really good wing players are. Exactly what the Hawks, and most teams in the NBA for that matter, needed with that pick.

What you say! DeMarre Carroll and Kent Bazemore got big money just because they were seen as good, not all star, wings. Robert Covington was considered a defensive bargain at almost 47 million for 4 years. The Hawks just got two 1st round picks for Taurean Prince.

Hunter has a great chance to have a much better all around game than any of them at around 5 million a year. His floor is he is a starting caliber small forward. His ceiling is he is one of the best wing defenders in the league who can knock down threes with the best of them.

[ahartleyvu]

Worst case scenario he should be a solid 3&D player. Might not be a star but a nice, safe pick imo.

[Ice Trae]

What has caused you to dislike the team in general so much?

Because every season Hawks fans say they're going to be a contender, and then the Hawks end up tanking and drafting all of the good talent. It's an endless cycle.

lol find me one post on here in the last few years with a Hawks fan stating we are contenders

[substancej]

What has caused you to dislike the team in general so much?

Because every season Hawks fans say they're going to be a contender, and then the Hawks end up tanking and drafting all of the good talent. It's an endless cycle.

lol find me one post on here in the last few years with a Hawks fan stating we are contenders

Uh, generally if the Cavs are keying in on someone, the smart thing would be to do the opposite

That's why Sexton is better than Trae Young right now

The trolling is just to strong with you Either that or you been taking something you shouldn't have you gotta watch out for that stuff if it's taken you this far gone O.o Im sorta intrigued though why the hate so much for the Hawks it's not like we really ever are a thorn in other teams or fans side to get hate from their fan base. Were usually just a treadmill team thats there to make a playoff appearance and play okish basketball. This is the 1st time we really have what looks like to be a legit upside contender if things pan out. What has caused you to dislike the team in general so much?

[justinriley11]

this man lead a team last became the first number 1 seed to lose to a 16 seed,,,,he then (instead of losing composure) fought back the next season and led them to a national championship and played damn good...that is what he saw. Hunter is damn good and an excellent defender...see a lot of Kawhi Leonard in him. yall can laugh but.....just wait.

[justinriley11]

What has caused you to dislike the team in general so much?

Because every season Hawks fans say they're going to be a contender, and then the Hawks end up tanking and drafting all of the good talent. It's an endless cycle.

lol find me one post on here in the last few years with a Hawks fan stating we are contenders

how about 2015 when they won 60 games....lol thats probably the last time they said that and they were right.

[CptCrunch]

Hunter is be benefitting a bit from the national championship hype. Players who win ships get a stock boost but don't seem to necessarily do better in the league.

I would argue Hunter is overrated as a prospect due to his run. However based on consensus draft positioning, drafting him at 4 isn't reach since this was a 1+0+2+5 kind of draft in terms of talent tier.

Sent from my PH-1 using RealGM mobile app

[shakes0]

this man lead a team last became the first number 1 seed to lose to a 16 seed,,,,he then (instead of losing composure) fought back the next season and led them to a national championship and played damn good...that is what he saw. Hunter is damn good and an excellent defender...see a lot of Kawhi Leonard in him. yall can laugh but.....just wait.

Hunter didn't play in the 1v16 upset, he was out with a broken wrist.