4 Hawks who definitely won't be back, 4 who shouldn't return next season
By Tyler Watts
Shouldn’t be back: De’Andre Hunter
Hunter’s 3-point shooting took a step forward this season. He shot a career-high 38.5 percent and has hit 37.1 percent of his 785 long-range attempts over the last three years combined. Being a plus-shooter is a must if Hunter wants to reach his ceiling. Even with the improvement, the fourth overall pick in 2019 has disappointed.
He averaged 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.7 steals in 29.5 minutes per game in his fifth NBA season. Those are strong numbers, but he still produced a below-league-average win shares per 48 minutes and a negative value over replacement player (VORP).
Only 20 players saw more minutes and produced a worse VORP. By every advanced metric, he is not a starting-caliber player, especially on a contender. Hunter’s defense is problematic, and there is not enough offensive production beyond his scoring.
Hunter just finished the first season of his four-year $90 million contract. His salary increases each year and the 6’8 forward does not become a free agent until 2027. He is entering his prime, but the Hawks should look to move on from the 26-year-old. Hunter is never going to blossom into the crucial piece of a contender they hoped for.