Atlanta Hawks ’19-’20 Report Cards: De’Andre Hunter

Grading Atlanta Hawks rookie De’Andre Hunter’s season.

Coming out of Virginia at 22 years old, De’Andre Hunter was seen by many to be one of the most “pro-ready” prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Atlanta Hawks, who drafted him fourth overall, believed that as well, throwing him into the fire as a rookie.

Hunter started his first-ever NBA game, beginning a season in which he led the team in games played, led all rookies in total minutes and minutes per game, and was consistently asked to guard the opposing team’s best scorer.

The Hawks asked a ton of the former ACC Defensive Player of the Year, perhaps too much. While his non-flashy, quiet style of play sometimes let him be overshadowed by Cam Reddish, Hunter was the better player overall this season, especially when it comes to consistency.

While his play was a bit disappointing for a fourth overall pick, Hunter showed flashes of being a long-term starter in the league, which you can only say is true for a handful of other first-year players.

Here we’ll be taking a look and assigning a grade to each aspect of Hunter’s game.

De’Andre Hunter’s 2019-2020 Report Card:

Offensive Grade: B –

Hunter was tabbed as a 3-and-D wing out of college, which showed to be true in Atlanta. Hunter averaged 10.8 shots per game, 4.8 of which were threes. The efficiency of that shot varied as Hunter journeyed through his hot-and-cold season.

After making just 25 percent in his first month of play, Hunter took 77 threes in November, making 30 (39 percent). He peaked in February by draining 46 percent of his deep shots, but that number was sandwiched between underwhelming numbers in January (30%) and March (31%).

He did show nice touch in the mid-range, somewhere he should look to shoot more next season. In the paint and around the rim will never be a strength of Hunter’s, but he does soar for an unexpected dunk every few games or so, usually in transition.

Mostly, Hunter showed promise off being a true perimeter threat who has a throwback midrange game as well. Making strides as a slasher would make him a more complete offensive player.

Playmaking Grade: C

For the most part, Hunter is looking to shoot or deliver a quick pass when he gets the ball on offense. Atlanta did run some pick and rolls with Hunter as the ball-handler, to varying success. His lack of explosive athleticism shows up at the point of attack, not making him much of a threat as a primary ball-handler at the moment.

The best thing you can say about him is that he makes quick, smart decisions with the ball in his hands, both on the move and stationary. That should only get better as he develops.

Rebounding Grade: B

Hunter was the Atlanta Hawks’ second-leading rebounder this season, something that improved throughout the season. Most of that is thanks to Lloyd Pierce experimenting with small-ball lineups that saw the 6’7 Hunter play the power forward position.

He pulled down over seven boards per game after February began compared to the 3.9 he averaged from October through December.

He’s not an aggressive fighter on the glass, instead using length and wits to win the board battle. The per-game averages will likely fall when he’s back to playing the three and Clint Capela is at center, but Hunter’s rebounding is an underrated aspect of his game.

Defensive Grade: A –

The advanced stats don’t love Hunter as a defender yet, but he certainly passes the “eye test” when it comes to that end of the court. As mentioned, the Hawks always had Hunter man-up against the opposing team’s best player, usually for the whole game.

He has great feet, hands, and hips on the perimeter, and enough size to follow his guy into the paint. Hunter is a patient defender and a very smart one too. He was easily the team’s best perimeter defender last season and maybe the best the Atlanta Hawks have seen since Paul Millsap.

Even if doesn’t improve, Hunter should be a very solid defender for a long time. If he does improve, he could become one of the NBA’s best defenders.

Overall Grade: B –

I truly think the Atlanta Hawks asked too much from Hunter this season. While the trial by fire approach very well could help him become a better player in the future, it was a dangerous approach given some rookies losing their confidence in after a rough start only to never recover.

De’Andre Hunter, at the very least, showed he can be an elite 3-and-D wing for the Hawks and a true building block of the team moving forward.

What grade would you give Atlanta Hawks’ rookie De’Andre Hutner this season?