#4. Los Angeles Lakers — De’Andre Hunter
Once the 2019 NBA Draft cruises past the first three selections (which will almost certainly be those three players above in some order and Zion always first), the real fun begins. The top 3 players are fairly set in that status as the consensus best three in the 2019 NBA Draft class, but beyond that… it’s a complete free-for-all.
Assuming the Los Angeles Lakers don’t trade their 4th overall pick (which they definitely will), it would make sense for them to use their “found money” to draft a high-floor player with a proven NBA-ready skill set in De’Andre Hunter out of Virginia (who the Atlanta Hawks hope will fall to #8 on the actual draft night).
After having the best draft night from a movement standpoint (moving up 7 spots from 11 to 4, which only had a 2.8 percent chance of happening), the Lakers will look to add a brilliant defender and shooter in Hunter to help aid LeBron James as he recovers from one of the worst seasons of his career.
Sure, King James still put up sterling numbers and will likely be named to yet another All-NBA Team, but he seemed extremely checked out down the end of the year and he also suffered the worst injury of his career. Hunter’s solid frame, length and proven defensive skill set should allow LeBron to take it a little easier out there with a smart player like Hunter alongside him.