Yeah, I don’t think he’s a plus defender for a big in the NBA. Just saying he’s way ahead of where I thought he’d be. He’s also limited upside wise in that department.
Just my guess, but proving he can go over either shoulder in the post wouldn’t be as valuable as showing better defense and enhanced switchability, if that’s even possible and then the jumper. A three-pointer sounds like a lot to ask so I thought of the 15 footer, but a three-pointer would obviously be great. It just doesn’t seem likely that most NBA teams are going to practice feeding the post and make it a big part of their offense.
True switchability on defense would probably make him a massive asset, but it also seems really unlikely.
Jonas Valunciunas would be my comp/model for HD at the next level.
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Being able to finish with both hands is still valuable for NBA teams. He’s not gonna be posting up tons but if he can get it in advantageous situations or against a switch he’s gonna need to be able to finish with either hand.
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Yeeeeessssss, him or Domantas Sabonis.
The idea that everyone needs to shoot 3’s in the NBA is a bit of a canard, there about 3 starting centers that actually do it well on any volume (Jokic, Vucevic, Towns) and a few more who are specialists (Olynyk, Boucher). Valunciunas will uncork like 1 or 2 attempts a game, but its not his game.
Yes, I think the issue is that at this moment, he’d have a hard time scoring points in the NBA.
Yes, if you can be a guaranteed bucket within five feet (which he’s not yet) and wall up at the rim on defense (has to work on his body)you can have a productive career.
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Right, they both take over half their shots inside of 3 feet, and can over 70%, and it’s not like they’re sky-scraping lob machines.
Let me clarify something - I’m not suggesting the baseball model where you’re locked into 3-years. That’s incredibly silly for a sport like basketball where you can contribute early in your career, the overall career is shorter, and there’s not a strong minor league system. I’m advocating hockey - where the team owns your rights for a period of time but you can leave at any point. Michigan’s hockey team has a ton of players on it right now that are or will be top draft picks. Most of them are going to play 1-2 years at Michigan before they and their team agree that it is time to move them up.
As for the minors, hockey also has a pretty decent minor league on par with the NHL. The NHL will also sometimes draft a kid at 18 and immediately bring them to the league (or put them in the minors). Some teams prefer that control. Other teams prefer to let the kids develop in college. Some of that is financially driven, some of it is development focused, and some has to do with the college.
Let’s use a different example - Diabate. Let’s say the Pistons like his potential and see his future in the NBA…but no one is quite sure he’s ready just yet as he has some rough edges to fill out. The Pistons pick him in the 3rd round of my fictional future NBA draft. They talk to him and his family and say that if he were to declare for the NBA after the draft they’re likely going to stick him in the G-league all year and pay him X salary based on his draft position but are unlikely to keep him on the big club or give him a big salary because he’ll be on some sort of 2-way deal.
However, if he decides to go to Michigan they can give him some advice about what to work on, cover some expenses, bring him to summer camps, etc. and see how he progresses. If he kicks butt in a single year they’ll beg him to come to the pros and throw more money at him. If he struggles with his shot or an injury they can encourage him to stay another year and be the star.
Happens in hockey all the time and works great.
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Aron Baynes in another that comes to mind.
What about a poor man’s Marc Gasol?
Marc has been one of the best defensive players in the NBA for his entire career. I doubt Hunter is there.
Hence the qualifying “poor man’s” 
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This is 100% correct. To think he got paid at all to play professionally (in the G League) was a master stroke on his part.
Look at the Clippers starting Center, Ivaca Zubac, for a comparison and model for current NBA team playing with a traditional post player. I think Zubac shows better lateral agility and overall athleticism, but possible that more time in camp Sanderson could help Hunter in those departments.
The weird thing about Iggy is that he stayed too long in HS but left college early.
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If the argument is Iggy made the right decision because he got a guaranteed contract, I’m happy to agree to disagree about that. That’s personal preference and assessing risk vs reward.
But the idea that he couldn’t improve his draft stock by staying in college is just silly. Forget that there are a ton of examples of guys doing just that. The notion a Wing with NBA talent cannot significantly improve his handle, shooting ability or defense to move from the mid-2nd round to the late-1st round just doesn’t make any sense.
I get that argument with certain bigs. Guys who can’t move and can’t step out of the paint to hit a jump shot, but Iggy was nothing like that. He wasn’t an elite athlete but he was the conference freshman of the year and an NBA draft pick. Of course he could have improved enough to bump his draft stock and increase his paycheck.
I don’t think anybody said it’s impossible. But it’s all about likelihood. He would have been a 21 year old sophomore after his second season. His limitations would be on film even more so he would have really had to add to his game in order to get a first round grade. It’s more likely his stock would have stayed the same or worsened. But even if he did improve his stock, it would probably be around 15-20 spots. In which case, is the money he would have made worth losing a year of earning potential and being a year closer to a second contract? Is it worth risking an injury or hurting your stock for a year playing for free? I doubt it.
Most players’ dreams are about playing professionally. Not playing in college. When they get a solid shot at making it to the pros, it’s usually a good chance to take it because you only get so many chances.
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I don’t think anyone has made the argument that it is impossible he could have done so. People (me included) think he likely would not have. That’s personal opinion and obviously impeachable. The question, obviously, is how likely it was that 21 year old Ignas Brazdeikis would have played himself into a first round pick (moving up within the 2nd round wouldn’t have mattered for him really), and how likely a reasonable person would have seen him doing so.
I’d say that the fact that after 18 months of professional full-time coaching he hasn’t warranted NBA minutes is some indication he very well may not have.
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I’m not sure what skill Iggy could have improved at that would have changed his stock much. He had a 24% USG and was efficient doing it. He shot very well (I think the chances are better he’d shoot a worse 3pt% than better had he returned), showed a decent handle, played good defense. Really the only thing to be shown would be passing. But I mean his passing significantly improved in his first GLeague season and he’s still a player no one wants 
He’d still be stuck between positions and roles for an NBA player regardless
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