Kevin Huerter has already been linked to the Utah Jazz by Sports Illustrated, and at pick No. 21, he could be one of the steals of the draft.
Kevin Huerter is one of the most intriguing prospects in the later parts of the 2018 NBA Draft. He has been one of the fastest risers in the draft, and while the Utah Jazz may have a clear interest in drafting him, his skyrocketing stock may soon move him out of their range.
As a four-star recruit, Huerter was obviously a very talented player, but he was not on the NBA radar when he stepped onto Maryland’s campus. Throughout his two seasons with the Terps, however, his game has continued to grow, and it has become impossible to ignore the talent and potential he has.
Huerter started all 65 games during his two years in Maryland. During his freshman season, he averaged 9.3 points, and did most of his work from behind the three point line. He attempted 175 threes that year, and converted on roughly 37 percent of those.
In his sophomore season, he took on a larger role for the the team. Upping his scoring averages to nearly 15 points per game, and while he attempted the exact same number of threes, he shot 42 percent in his second season.
As you can see from the play above, Maryland ran specific plays for Huerter in an effort to create open three-point shots off screens. While he showed a greater ability in his sophomore season to create his own shot with the ball in his hands, I would expect teams to utilize his ability to run off screens to create offense. He profiles to be a Klay Thompson, Kyle Korver, JJ Redick-like scorer.
The Utah Jazz are in desperate need of more shooting, and that is going to be a primary focus this offseason. Huerter is considered by most to be the absolute best shooter in this draft, and he could be an absolute steal at number 21.
It is also no secret that Kevin Huerter is on the radar of the Utah Jazz. Mulitiple mock drafts have pegged the Jazz as the landing spot for Huerter. As reported by Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated, the Jazz have been linked as one of the teams who provided a first-round guarantee to Huerter just a few weeks ago.
Word around the league tonight is that Maryland’s Kevin Huerter has obtained a promise from a team drafting in the first round. Certainly a helpful factor in his decision process.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) May 31, 2018
Huerter never did get to work out with the Utah Jazz, however, as he cancelled his workout the day before it was schedule, and went home to discuss if he truly wanted to stay in the draft with his parents. After a day of collaborating, he announced his intentions to remain in the draft. There is a belief around the league that Huerter was given a promise from an organization in the league that they would be drafting him in the first round if available.
Many have speculated that said team is either the Utah Jazz or the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz have not historically handed out draft promises to prospects, and it would be odd for them to do so with a player who they weren’t even able to work out.
The biggest question mark regarding Huerter is his defensive upside. He measured in at just 6′ 7.25″ during the combine, and with only a 6′ 7.5″ wingspan, he doesn’t necessarily fit the bill as a lock-down defender.
That being said, he measured out as a better athlete than Klay Thompson did, so if he has the right mindset, he could develop into a solid positional defender. I doubt he will ever lead the league, or even his team, in steals, but he can make things difficult for players by simply moving his feet well, and staying in front of his man. Honestly, Huerter’s offensive upside is high enough that he just needs to prove to be passable on defense.
Next: Utah Jazz: The argument against trading for Kevin Love
Remember the name Kevin Huerter, because if he is available for the Utah Jazz to select at number 21, it will be very difficult for them to pass him up.