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Hawks Unsung Hero Flying Under The Radar

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This always happens to him. This season, it’s Atlanta Hawks two-way playmaker Dyson Daniels. In 2023-24, it was point-forward Jalen Johnson. In 2022-23, it was Dejounte Murray, a pickpocketing point guard.

De’Andre Hunter’s contributions, particularly on the offensive end, are either overlooked or undervalued when there’s a new shiny toy around.

Hawks Unsung Hero De’Andre Hunter Flying Under The Radar

Hunter’s not a point guard, point-forward, or even a playmaker. When the ball is in his hands, it’s not usually with the intent of dropping dimes, but cashing out. On a team led by Trae Young, who has more career assists than even Dallas Mavericks prodigy Luka Doncic, this isn’t a problem. In fact, throughout Young’s time in at Atlanta, fans have been clamoring for a scorer who could take some weight off of the three-time All-Star’s shoulders.

That entire time, Hunter was right there.

Breaking Out Of His Shell

Selected fourth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hunter didn’t leave Virginia projected to be an elite scorer in the NBA. There was a Kawhi Leonard-like developmental upside, but that was his most high-end comparison. His career numbers are evidence of that, with the Pennsylvania native ranking 10th in his draft class in career points (3,833) and ninth in career points per game (14.4).

This puts him below San Antonio Spurs sixth man Keldon Johnson, which isn’t something to write home about as a No. 4 pick. However, he’s ranked above some popular players, like Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura. What that macro-observation doesn’t capture though is Hunter’s relatively steady development.

In his first three regular seasons, Hunter was relatively stagnant, averaging 12.3 points per game as a rookie and 15.0 points per game as a sophomore before dropping back down to 13.4 points per game in 2021-22.

Yet, all the while, Hunter had been demonstrating that he could take on a heavier load.

As a rookie, he had eight games with 20 or more points. The next season, he had his first 30-point game. In 2021-22, he scored 20 or more points in 11 games.

Shot Hunter

The problem was two-fold.

Hunter wasn’t hunting for his shot, but Young was pressing to get his. Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, Young has a 34.0 percent usage rate. For reference, Denver Nuggets three-time NBA MVP winner Nikola Jokic has only had a usage rate over 30 percent once in his career.

The 2022 NBA Playoffs changed everything. Or at least it was supposed to.

Young was struggling against the Miami Heat’s stifling defense, averaging 15.4 points per game while shooting 31.9 percent from the field and 18.4 percent from deep. So Hawks former head coach Nate McMillan called on Hunter, who delivered. Breaking out of his shell, he averaged a team-high 21.2 points per game while shooting 55.7 percent from the floor and 46.7 percent from outside.

Notably, this was the regular or postseason since Hunter’s arrival that Young’s usage rate (28.4) was below 30 percent.

That’s The Thanks He Gets

Perhaps because of his performance in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Hunter took a career-high 12.3 field goal attempts per game in 2022-23. However, the offense was being run not only through Young but Murray, who they traded four first round picks to acquire. With Young’s usage rate going back to its normal level, even Murray had trouble adjusting.

Though he shared the backcourt with another hybrid guard in San Antonio, Murray was fresh off an All-Star season in which he ranked top-20 in points per game (21.1) and top-five in assists per game (9.2) with a career-high 27.3 percent usage rate. That being said, the fit between him and Young was ultimately bound to be clunky because they both needed a lot of usage to be at their best. Both earnestly tried to make it work but it wasn’t natural for either player.

All the while, Hunter was skulking in the shadows. Here was a player that could score but didn’t need to dominate possessions as a facilitator as well. In fact, he scored 20 or more points in 16 games in 2022-23.

Yet, just months after agreeing to a four-year contract extension with the Hawks, they were trying to trade him.

Living On The Trade Block

First, it was rumored that the Indiana Pacers had discussed a deal for him at the 2023 trade deadline. Prior to the 2023 NBA Draft, they were reportedly interested in trading Hunter so that they could get 2022 No. 16 pick AJ Griffin more playing time. Once again, the Pacers were said to be involved in these talks, and a deal did fall apart. The Detroit Pistons were also hot on Hunter’s trail, and Atlanta had trade discussions with the Dallas Mavericks as well.

Months later, the Toronto Raptors were revealed as a potential destination with the Hawks hoping for a Pascal Siakam trade. It wasn’t Hunter that was the hangup in this deal but 2023 No. 15 pick Kobe Bufkin. With the Cleveland Cavaliers having interest in Hunter around the 2024 trade deadline, they were likely another team Atlanta spoke to.

If that’s the thanks he gets from his own team, it’s easy to see why there’s not much hype surrounding him.

His Best Performance To Date

Last season, Hunter was averaging 15.6 points per game. That’s a respectable and impactful number, but not All-Star level. With Johnson basically replacing John Collins, it wasn’t like he was getting less touches than ever just because he was having a breakout season. Nonetheless, he was still limited by the team’s system.

Young, Murray, and now Johnson were definitively ahead of him in the pecking order. It’s no coincidence that out of the 16 games in which Hunter scored 20 or more points last season, Young didn’t play in 11 of them. Johnson was a scratch in another.

That’s why the Hawks trading Murray for Daniels really helped. Frankly, whether they moved him or Young, it would’ve given the other guys more scoring opportunities. Nonetheless, Hunter was a benefactor. To that point, he’s currently an averaging career-high of 13.0 field goal attempts and 20.5 points per game.

Daniels deserves the credit he’s getting for his All-Defensive-caliber performances. Johnson is taking the next step in his development. Young’s team-oriented approach is paying dividends. However, Hunter’s under-the-radar excellence should be just as appreciated.

It’s no coincidence that the Hawks are 4-0 when he’s played this season.

Hunter’s health will always be a conversation piece. Nonetheless, he’s a defensive ace and knockdown shooter scoring at a high volume. The New York Knicks traded seven first round picks for a very similar type of player in Mikal Bridges. That’s how valuable he is.

Quenton S Albertie

Quenton S Albertie

Quenton Albertie, a native of Ft. Hood, TX, is a credentialed media member with work featured on SLAM Magazine, Sports Illustrated, USA TODAY and other major publications. Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Albertie’s favorite teams are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Broncos.

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