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Blazers Draft Profile: Could R.J. Hunter Replace Wesley Matthews?

By Chris St. Jean

Jan 24, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia State Panthers guard R.J. Hunter (22) drives against Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns forward Brian Williams (31) in the second half of their game at GSU Sports Arena. Georgia State won 75-64. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia State Panthers guard R.J. Hunter (22) drives against Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns forward Brian Williams (31) in the second half of their game at GSU Sports Arena. Georgia State won 75-64. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Maybe it was naive, but before Wesley Matthews tore his Achilles and essentially ended the Portland Trail Blazers‘ title hopes, I think it was the assumption of most Blazers fans that he would return with the team.

Matthews has the skill set that would fit on any team. He’s the prototypical 3-and-D player, but he also brings a post presence, some offensive versatility, and provided a leadership aspect that can’t be replicated.

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Of course, after Matthews’ injury, there is some uncertainty as to what caliber of player he can be when he returns. And with the uncertainty surrounding LaMarcus Aldridge‘s future, it’s still a huge unknown where Matthews will be playing next season.

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Should Matthews leave, and assuming Arron Afflalo opts out of his contract for next season, the Blazers will have a large hole at the shooting guard position, even with C.J. McCollum playing so well at the tail end of last season and in the playoffs.

Even if Matthews returns, considering the severity of his injury, it may not be a bad idea for the Blazers to locate some talent at the shooting guard position as a sort of insurance.

In my previous Trail Blazers draft profiles, I suggested Virginia small forward Justin Anderson and Louisville big man Montrezl Harrell. But if the Blazers believe that shooting guard is a position of priority on draft day, then Georgia State junior R.J. Hunter should be given strong consideration.

You are probably aware of R.J. Hunter by now, if not his coach/father, after he nailed a deep shot to knock Baylor out of the NCAA tournament and his father off of his stool.

That shot is a fair microcosm for Hunter’s offensive game.  Hunter is considered by many to be one of the best long range shooters in the draft despite his 30.5 percent 3-point shooting this season and 35 percent three-point shooting for his career. But Hunter knocked down 100 three-pointers in his sophomore season at a 39.5 percent clip and his 88 percent from the free throw line the last two seasons — plus the eye test — tells you that the man can shoot.

Hunter made at least four three-pointers in a game eight times in each of his sophomore and junior seasons at Georgia State, including a 41-point outburst in December of his sophomore season in which he shot 12-for-19 from long range.  It was the fact that Hunter had to carry so much of the scoring load for his Georgia State squad that could have led to his poor shot selection at times and therefore, lower-than-expected percentages.

Hunter displays an impressively versatile offensive game, starting with his seemingly unlimited range. Although he is sometimes inconsistent on catch-and-shoot opportunities, Hunter has displayed the ability to shoot off the dribble and coming off screens. He’s also adept at attacking close-outs, something that will be key for him at the next level.

By two separate passing metrics, Draft Express has Hunter rated as one of the best passers at the shooting guard position in the draft. He’s extremely comfortable coming off screens with the ability to knock down shots and dropping the pocket pass to the screener. And although he’s not a great creator, when he’s attacking close outs to get in the paint he shows the ability to find shooters as well.

Hunter’s 7.1 free throw attempts per 40 minutes are a great supplement to his shooting ability considering that he relies heavily on his jump shot.  Hunter’s lack of athleticism and strength lead to him struggling to finish around the basket. That likely won’t get better in the NBA as the competition gets significantly larger, longer, and more athletic compared to the Sun Belt Conference he will come out of.

At 6’6″ with a near 6’10” wingspan, Hunter has great size for an NBA shooting guard with seemingly unlimited range.  He’s flashed great defensive instincts in college relying on his lateral quickness and length, but has spent almost his entire career playing zone. The biggest question mark for Hunter will be the ability to add strength to his long frame.

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    • At only 180 lbs, Hunter’s lack of strength hinders his drives to the basket and undermines his lateral quickness. A shooting guard like Wesley Matthews would punish Hunter in the post immediately as he enters the league. There is concern that at 22 years old, Hunter will struggle to add the necessary strength to grow in this area.

    However, becoming a professional athlete, especially from a small school such as Georgia State, allows players access to new resources in transforming their body. With state of the art training facilities, trainers, and nutrition, Hunter, even at age 22, should have the ability to add strength to a long frame that can handle it.

    Hunter doesn’t have the ability to create offense in the same way that C.J. McCollum, or even Wesley Matthews at times, can. He is not particularly effective in the pick and roll despite being an offensive threat from almost anywhere and with above-average passing abilities. He’s much more comfortable playing off of other creators.

    That would make him a great fit in Portland playing alongside Damian Lillard (and LaMarcus Aldridge should he stay). It would serve Hunter and the Blazers well for him in Terry Stotts ‘Flow’ offense. Within that offense, Hunter could serve as a dangerous perimeter threat accepting passes from Lillard’s penetration or Aldridge facing a double team.

    As that perimeter threat, Hunter should provide more consistency from long range than he did in college with way more responsibility, but also have the ability to attack close outs and keep the ball moving the way Nicolas Batum does for a Blazers offense that thrives on ball movement.

    Replacing the Wesley Matthews from last season is very close to impossible, especially through the draft and selecting at No. 23.  That’s exacerbated by not knowing if Matthews will be back. Or by not knowing if Arron Afflalo will opt in. Or by not knowing if Lillard and C.J. McCollum could ever defend well enough to share the court for long stretches.

    But if the Blazers find themselves on the clock on Thursday night, and R.J. Hunter is available, they will have a hard time passing him up.

    Next: Trail Blazers Draft Profile: Montrezl Harrell

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