From Virginia and from the Los Angeles Lakers, the Atlanta Hawks found what the team hopes as the next All-Star in De'Andre Hunter, who at 6-foot-8 will quickly take a starting position and force the aging Vince Carter to come off the bench. The acquisition cost the Hawks multiple picks in exchange for the No. 4 that is Hunter.
The Lakers originally had the rights on Hunter but he was traded away as part of the Anthony Davis deal. In the end, Hunter was shipped by the New Orleans Pelicans, which in turn No. 8, No. 17 and No. 35 picks, according to Heavy.com.
This early, Hunter is shaping up to be an asset picked up by the Hawks. Per the same report, the fresh recruit was listed by ESPN as the second best power forward in the national college league. In addition, the scouting report on Hunter described him as highly skilled in the offensive area and currently "one of the most versatile defenders in the college game."
While in Virginia, Hunter averaged 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. In terms of accuracy in the three-point arc, Hunter registered a respectable 43.8 percent.
Hunter making his mark at Virginia was immediate and nothing short of impressive, according to Bleacher Report. He first suited up in 2016 and showcased signs of hard work and talent that in the following year he was upgraded as a starter.
It was in the Season 2018-19 that Hunter really flourished. When Virginia got past the Texas Tech in an overtime game, Hunter converted 27 points, grabbed nine rebounds and sniped from the arc with deadly accuracy at 4 out of 5. In Virginia's 85-77 win, there was no argument that Hunter's stats mattered immensely.
With Hunter now in the lineup and his arrival greeted with optimism, the next step for the Atlanta front office is to further beef up the roster with a reliable big man and another backcourt addition. Heavy.com said the free agency points to Ivica Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers.
In the last season, Zubac registered improvements that earned him a paycheck of $1 million. That means luring him away from the Clippers will translate to gaining muscles inside for the Hawks, and possibly at a bargain price.
For its guard position requirements, Atlanta must keep watch on the developments over at the Brooklyn Nets. If indeed the Nets are opening up a slot for Kyrie Irving and put D'Angelo Russell on the trading block, the Hawks must consider making an offer.
Touted as among the NBA's rising guard, able to play point and shoot at the same time, Russell is prize acquisition but not too expensive. His contract with the Knicks indicated a payment of less than $10 million, figures that the Atlanta Hawks can certainly match or exceed.
