2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 2.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #4 and #10, Lakers Win Lottery

#4. Atlanta Hawks – De’Andre Hunter

And here is where the Atlanta Hawks will be selecting first in the 2019 NBA Draft in this simulation. While this only represents a small lottery victory, selecting 4th is indeed one better than 5th, so I’m sure the Atlanta Hawks will be happy with this scenario.

With this pick, it comes down to a debate between Jarrett Culver and De’Andre Hunter at 4th overall. Though the last mock draft we did had the Atlanta Hawks taking Culver in the 2019 NBA Draft, in this one, the team will instead opt for the higher floor and immediate impact that Hunter should provide the team.

While Culver likely has more upside due to being younger, Hunter has more NBA-ready size and his fully fleshed out three-and-D skillset should pay immediate dividends for the Hawks. Hunter could even slide in and take Taurean Prince’s place in the starting lineup if Prince is traded for, say, Draymond Green this offseason.

Hunter is a proven winner and was the best player for a title-winning Virginia team that also featured likely first round pick Ty Jerome and potential second-rounder Kyle Guy.

In his career per College Basketball Reference, Hunter shot 41.9 percent from downtown, and in his sophomore season of 18-19, he shot an enticing 43.8 percent – all while being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Hunter is also an elite defender who should be able to provide an immediate upgrade in an area where the Atlanta Hawks struggled mightily last season.