Busting Brackets
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NBA Draft 2019: 5 worst draft selections on the night

By Alex Weber

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: (L-R) NBA Draft prospects Kevin Porter Jr., Nicolas Claxton, Sekou Doumbouya, Goga Bitazde, Keldon Johnson, Nassir Little, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Rui Hachimuri, Jarrett Culver, Cam Reddish, Coby White, Zion Williamson, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Ja Morant, De'Andre Hunter, Darius Garland, Brandon Clarke, Romeo Langford, Jaxson Hayes, Tyler Herro, Bol Bol, PJ Washington, Matisse Thybulle and Mfiondu Kabengele stand on stage with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: (L-R) NBA Draft prospects Kevin Porter Jr., Nicolas Claxton, Sekou Doumbouya, Goga Bitazde, Keldon Johnson, Nassir Little, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Rui Hachimuri, Jarrett Culver, Cam Reddish, Coby White, Zion Williamson, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Ja Morant, De'Andre Hunter, Darius Garland, Brandon Clarke, Romeo Langford, Jaxson Hayes, Tyler Herro, Bol Bol, PJ Washington, Matisse Thybulle and Mfiondu Kabengele stand on stage with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: De’Andre Hunter poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the fourth overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: De’Andre Hunter poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the fourth overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

De’Andre Hunter (Hawks)

The Hawks traded up to 4th at the price of picks 8, 17, 35, and Solomon Hill’s contract. That was the first of a bonanza of trades to come on draft day. To me, it was a puzzling move. After all, Atlanta threw away several valuable picks later in the draft and took on a bad contract to move up four spots and select Hunter, who probably isn’t worth a top-five selection considering the consensus is that he’s a glorified swingman.

In another draft, perhaps last year’s, for reference, when Jaren Jackson Jr. and Luka Doncic were on the board after the first two picks, trading up is a genius move. But with Hunter, he’s a far, far inferior prospect to the former pair. He’s already 21 and makes decisions at 4G when his new peers operate at 5G. Sure, Atlanta got, if nothing else, someone whose floor is Trevor Ariza. But Hunter won’t make an All-NBA team. I’d be surprised if he made even one all-star appearance. That’s the guy the Hawks chose–and gave up Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Marcos Louzada Silva to get. I don’t live in Las Vegas, but I’d wager that one of those three will wind up a better player than Hunter in the NBA.

I wasn’t a fan of the Hawks draft–as I’m notoriously out on Cam Reddish. I’ll give them credit, though; at least they have a plan in mind. Trae Young is their initiator and scoring focal point. Now, they’ve flanked him with shooters (Huerter, Hunter, and Reddish) and have Collins as a lob target and established second scoring option. They snagged a rim protector in round two with Bruno Fernando and continued to build last night on what was aleady a bright young core.

I don’t completely dislike the Hunter pick. In fact, he fits quite well with what Travis Schlenk is trying to build around Young and Collins. Guys like Hunter–who can shoot threes, defend and simply play hard–are requisite pieces on any contender–just ask Tony Bennett. The issue I have is with the circumstance in which they picked him and what they gave up in trade assets to acquire him.

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