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Virginia Basketball: 2019 NBA Draft profile of Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter

By Jason Burgess

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates after a play in the second half against the Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates after a play in the second half against the Gardner Webb Runnin Bulldogs during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: De’Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates his three point basket basket late in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 08: De’Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates his three point basket basket late in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA men’s Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Draft stock: Steady

Pretty much since Virginia won the national title, likely right up until draft night Hunter has been and should be considered not only a lottery pick, but a lock to be taken in the top 10. Depending on where you look Hunter comes off the board as high as No. 4 to the Lakers with his floor being around No. 8 with Atlanta.

The Lakers are in the thick of the Anthony Davis sweepstakes, but behind LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma, there is very little to no depth at the forward position. The trio of Reggie Bullock, Lance Stephenson, and Mike Muscala are all unsigned heading into next season, so grabbing Hunter fills a need and gives them a young cheap player they can use to fill the roster if they were to trade for Davis.

Our latest mock draft has Hunter going 5th to Cleveland, that too is a place where Hunter could compete for immediate minutes. Cedi Osman was the team’s starting small forward last season and behind him, there isn’t much in terms of quality to speak of, also giving the team’s young point guard Collin Sexton.

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If Hunter were to last to No. 8, he would give Atlanta another young piece to add to a team that already includes John Collins, Trae Young, and Kevin Huerter, but wherever Hunter lands, one thing is for sure, he won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.

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