Grading All 3 Atlanta Hawks Picks in the 2019 NBA Draft
By Chris Guest
Wing. Atlanta Hawks. De'Andre Hunter. 4. player. 125.
Starting off is the selection of De’Andre Hunter out of Virginia with the #4 overall pick.
Though this writer had previously extolled the virtues of standing pat with picks #8 and #10, trading up for De’Andre Hunter is a pretty darn good compromise. Hunter is hands-down the best perimeter defender in this class, and though he somewhat lacks explosive athleticism, his functional athleticism is what truly makes him “pop.”
One need only take a gander at his brilliant play in the NCAA Title game as a member of the Virginia Cavaliers to see how impactful Hunter can be on any given night, especially considering Hunter shut down this year’s #6 overall pick Jarrett Culver in that game.
Also, it must be noted that Hunter was injured during Virginia’s tournament run in which they became the first #1 seed ever to be defeated by a #16 seed (so he doesn’t have that ignominy on his resume).
In terms of the on-court fit with the Atlanta Hawks, it couldn’t be better for Hunter.
The Hawks need a defensive wing stopper, and they got it in Hunter. Of course, we know that Travis Schlenk loves shooting, and Hunter also fills that role for the team in the 2019 NBA Draft.
He might not have the highest upside, but this was a tremendous choice for the Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft.