Maryland sharpshooter Kevin Huerter decided to withdraw from his pre-draft workout with the Utah Jazz. He’s still an enticing option with the 21st pick.
The Utah Jazz resumed pre-draft workouts on Monday with a group headlined by Shake Milton. Boasting an impressive physical profile, shooting ability and a diverse array of skills, Milton is definitely a player to watch for Jazz fans. However, another potential pick at No. 21 for Utah was noticeably absent.
Maryland wing Kevin Huerter, who suddenly feels like a first-round lock after a stellar performance at the NBA Draft Combine, opted out of Monday’s workout session.
According to The Salt Lake Tribune’s Tony Jones, he has returned home to decide whether to remain in the draft or shoot for the lottery after another year with the Terrapins.
Hearing Kevin Huerter has returned home to talk to his parents. The NBA's deadline for staying in or returning to school is this week. He has an interesting choice. He could be a lotto pick next season, or a mid-first this season.
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) May 27, 2018
Should Huerter remain in the draft pool, he’ll be a strong consideration for the Jazz on draft night; even if he doesn’t work out with the team.
The Jazz clearly have work to do if they wish to join the ranks of the league’s elite next season. As ever, shooting and overall firepower are some of their bigger needs. Those are things Huerter may be able to provide, especially in Quin Snyder’s offensive system.
During his sophomore season, Huerter’s play caused images of J.J. Redick and/or Kyle Korver to dance in one’s head — he was a deadeye shooter from distance with deep NBA range. On the whole, he knocked down nearly 42 percent of his 5.5 3-point attempts per game. As a result, he increased his scoring to just under 15 points per game.
He did so as a deadly catch-and-shoot player who routinely killed opponents off of screens, hand-offs and spot-ups. All the while, he displayed a silky smooth stroke befitting an NBA sharpshooter. The 19-year-old is also a good shooter off the dribble and a crafty ball-handler, driver and finisher, although he’ll have a harder time utilizing the latter skills in the Association.
Having said that, Huerter’s combine performance gives reason to believe he could eventually hold his own athletically. He posted a 2.97-second shuttle run and a three-quarter sprint of 3.09 seconds, both of which ranked highly among prospects who tested. He also registered a respectable 38-inch vertical.
Those measurements, in tandem with his performance during five-on-five action, are what propelled him to first-round status.
At 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-7½ wingspan, he doesn’t have super impressive length for his size. However, what he does have could be adequate to cover ones and twos at the NBA level. He’ll probably struggle against bigger, longer small forwards. On the other hand, he has the kind of frame that leaves the potential for added strength.
That would help him as both a defender and a rebounder at the next level.
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Bottom line — Huerter can play. And at 19, he still has room to grow. Even if Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey doesn’t get a chance to lay eyes on him live at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus, he remains an enticing option in the mid-to-late first round and a prospect that could develop into a difference-maker.