NBA Draft: Zion Williamson still first in 2019 Redraft

The Atlanta Hawks jumped up from the eighth pick to the fourth pick in order to select De’Andre Hunter out of Virginia, the first defensive difference maker taken in the 2019 draft. The 6’8″ forward projected as an ideal combo forward on defense (outside of some deflated steal and block totals due to Virginia’s pack-line scheme), and the question was whether his offensive game would translate at the next level.

Through one season, it did not. As a rookie Hunter appeared in 63 games, shooting just 41 percent from the field as he was one of the league’s more negative players in his minutes. The extended offseason after the league paused its season was put to good use, however, and Hunter came back a much-improved player for this past season.

Injuries limited Hunter to just 23 games, but when he did play he was every bit the embodiment of the vision the Hawks had when they traded up to take him. On identical volume Hunter increased his field goal percentage to 48.4 percent, which corresponded to a leap in free throw percentage that speaks to increased shot skill, not simply shooting luck.

Hunter was also a defensive force, deployed often as the Hawks’ primary defender on opposing shot creators and performing admirably. His “stocks” (steals and blocks) are still low, but in between those outcomes he is in the right position, has the strength to guard most 4s, and overall gives the Hawks an element they don’t have elsewhere on the roster.

What is truly exciting is where Hunter’s arrow is pointed. Is he moving towards elite defensive wing with enough offense to get by? Or does some of the shot creation he showed this year build on itself as he becomes more of a two-way impact player? Either way, the combination of production and upside make him the clear fourth pick in the draft. If Hunter can string together an entire season without significant injury we will see exactly what sort of player he is becoming.