De'Andre Hunter's late breakout could create conundrum for Hawks

To do or not to do.

That could soon be the question around Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter, who made his return from a long injury (and childbirth)-related absence to continue the hot start he began in the first two games of the season. 

Hunter is averaging a career-high 20.5 points per game to go with 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 47.8% from beyond the arc, which is also a career-best mark.

It has come in just four games but has also looked very sustainable.

Part of it has come due to a refinement in Hunter’s shot diet. His is shooting a smaller percentage of his looks from 10’ to just short of three-point range than he has since his rookie season.

Hunter is also taking a smaller percentage of his looks from long distance compared to last season. 

But it is a much smaller difference and his efficiency means fewer attempts anyway.

Where things get complicated is that Hunter’s breakout has now come after a point when the Hawks were at least preparing for the event he would no longer be with the team.

Hunter is in Year 2 of a four-year, $90 million contract. But the Hawks drafted Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. 

Risacher has started every game since Hunter began sitting out.

The rookie filled in for the injured Jalen Johnson in the Hawks’ win over the Sacramento Kings on November 18. But Hunter still came off the bench. The question is whether or not that was the result of Hunter still working his way back or simply that his role is as a reserve.

Hunter proved his mettle in that role last season behind Saddiq Bey, who is now in Washington with the Wizards.

He has also still been on the floor to close out his last two appearances.

Quietly, Risacher has put together three straight games with double-digit points. And his 18 points in the win over the Kings were his most since he scored 33 points against the New York Knicks earlier this month.

Still, Hunter has been outplayed (unsurprisingly) by his veteran teammate, including being a better running mate with breakout star Dyson Daniels than Risacher.

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder has emphasized closing over starting.

It is reasonable to believe that Snyder shared that thought process with the team and that they are bought in, so no one should expect Hunter to rock the boat even after he was the subject of trade rumors in recent months.

At the same time, teams will likely come calling seeing that he is healthy and motivated. Will the Hawks hold off on moving him given all that he can still provide?

They are not looking to tank, so moving him to shed salary could be an unlikely outcome.

If Hunter continues to play this way, though, it could result in some difficult decisions for Hawks general manager Landry Fields, especially closer to the trade deadline in February when contending teams get more desperate.

Of course, if the Hawks remain among those in the thick of the playoff – not Play-In, playoff – race, things could get even more interesting.