9 Los Angeles Lakers that never played a single minute
By Tyler Watts
4. De’Andre Hunter
The Lakers had long agreed to trade the fourth overall pick in 2019 as part of a massive haul to get Anthony Davis from the Pelicans, but the deal could not become official until July 6. Los Angeles selected Hunter fourth overall for New Orleans, but they worked out a deal with the Hawks to trade down and pick some extra capital.
Hunter wore a Lakers hat on stage as he shook hands with commissioner Adam Silver, but would not play in LA. He did not join Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart in New Orleans either. The 6’8 forward found his way to Atlanta where his production has been up-and-down.
Hunter was a starter from day one but has only played 206 games over his first four seasons. He has twice averaged more than 15 points per game and is a plus shooter who can play either forward spot. Hunter’s defense must improve and will likely be overpaid in his four-year $90 million extension, but the 25-year-old still has room to grow.
The Los Angeles Lakers had to part with the pick to get AD, and the eight-time All-Star was a key piece of their 2020 title run. There are zero regrets, but it would have been interesting to see how De’Andre Hunter developed in LA.