2019 NBA Mock Draft: Full lottery impact on the first round
66. . SF. Virginia. De'Andre Hunter. 6. player
Age: 21
Height, Weight: 6-foot-8, 222 pounds
Slash Line: .520/.438/.783
Season Averages: 15.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 1.2 3PM
Like the Cavaliers, the Phoenix Suns found NBA Draft Lottery disappointment Tuesday night. They fell from second to sixth, leaving them without Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, both of whom could have shaken this team up for the better.
Sixth is not awful for Phoenix, though, who can still add talent to the Deandre Ayton–Devin Booker core for the 2019-20 campaign. Trading is an alternative, but adding another young player to the mix makes sense to hope whoever it is pans out.
De’Andre Hunter is the best player available. He still makes sense to land fifth, fourth or as high as third to the New York Knicks, with the likely uncertainty around the top 10.
The Suns just had Trevor Ariza for under half a season. While that signing did not pan out, adding a defensive-minded wing who can score is a logical move. Hunter can supplement Booker’s offensive prowess and Ayton’s work under the rim, supplying that ideal middle-of-the-lineup player to cover others of his height.
Plus, Hunter is versatile enough to play the stretch four and even the undersized center spot in certain formations. A 7-foot-2 wingspan does wonders.
This is a pick for the Suns to get behind, pending Hunter is available. They need pieces to offset the offensive players, and if this pick is not traded, heavy consideration should go towards this two-way prospect.