Returning from a season-ending injury, the versatile wing offers defensive grit and perimeter spacing crucial for a franchise desperate to escape the lottery and validate their investment.
De’Andre Hunter has yet to make a meaningful impact for the Sacramento Kings after becoming their first trade acquisition last season.
General manager Scott Perry executed a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls to acquire Hunter. He dealt Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis to Cleveland and Dario Šarić to the Bulls.
Perry upgraded his roster with a 3-and-D wing, adding much-needed defensive versatility. Hunter can match up with stockier forwards with his 6-foot-7, 221-pound frame, matching their physicality in one-on-one situations.
He can space the floor as a knockdown three-point shooter. For his career, Hunter has shot 36.4% from beyond the arc, but must redeem himself after shooting a career-low 30.5% last season.
The theoretical fit is encouraging. Sacramento can have switchability on the perimeter with Keegan Murray and Hunter in the starting lineup.
The Kings lost that opportunity two games after acquiring the former Cavalier.
Hunter suffered a left eye retinal detachment in a 114-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 6. He underwent season-ending surgery two weeks later.
Next season is a crucial evaluation period for Sacramento and Hunter. The 6-foot-7 forward is in a contract year, earning $24 million in his final year.
Internal motivation from the 28-year-old could result in an extension or raise his trade value before the trade deadline.
The Kings cannot tank like they did last season. The new lottery reform punishes teams with the three worst records by giving them fewer lottery balls and lowering their odds of receiving the No. 1 pick.
Hunter could be a key part of helping the team win. His defense and shooting are sorely needed for a franchise that finished with the third-worst defensive rating in NBA history and tied for last in three-point percentage.
He recently played in the 21st Annual Danny Rumph Classic on Aug. 6. Hunter earned Player of the Game honors, scoring 21 points and grabbing four rebounds.
The 28-year-old showed his deep range and ability to break defenders down in isolation. Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Martin defended him throughout the game.
Martin was his teammate during his high school playing days at Allentown. Hunter said he tries to go back to his home state and represent the city he grew up in.
A healthy Hunter is Sacramento’s wild card next season, aiming to win games during a rebuilding era while developing rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr.
