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R.J. Hunter: Phoenix Suns 2015 Draft Profile

By Gerald Bourguet

Jun. 5, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; 2015 NBA Draft prospect R.J. Hunter talks to the media at his Phoenix Suns draft workout. Mandatory Credit: Gerald Bourguet-Valley of the Suns
Jun. 5, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; 2015 NBA Draft prospect R.J. Hunter talks to the media at his Phoenix Suns draft workout. Mandatory Credit: Gerald Bourguet-Valley of the Suns /
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Jun. 5, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; 2015 NBA Draft prospect R.J. Hunter talks to the media at his Phoenix Suns draft workout. Mandatory Credit: Gerald Bourguet-Valley of the Suns /

Potential Fit

For those who didn’t know much about R.J. Hunter, he probably seemed like one of those guys who had a strong showing during March Madness and boosted his draft stock to unsustainable levels. In fact, it’s hard to blame anyone for believe that his one game-winner in the NCAA Tournament will eclipse anything he accomplishes in his NBA career.

Hunter is fine with the fact that people still come up to him on the street because of that shot, but he isn’t ready to let it define him.

“I still get comments,” Hunter said about that shot. “It’s worn off for me because I’ve got so much more to do, but I still get stopped everywhere. That’s still kind of the crazy part about all of this, those last two minutes are probably the craziest two minutes of my life and people still talk about it so that’s kind of cool.”

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    • The truth is, he’s the kind of role player whose game could translate very well. For the Suns, the fit is very clear: Phoenix was the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA after the All-Star break and could really use a perimeter threat to help spread the floor for dribble-drive penetration by Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight (assuming he re-signs).

    But as we’ve already covered, Hunter is not just some one-dimensional spot-up shooter, and his ability to create offense off the dribble could fit in nicely with all the slashing and kicking that the Suns hope to accomplish on the offensive end.

    “Not a lot of people saw me play; they caught two of my games in the tournament so I didn’t get to show a lot,” Hunter said. “That’s actually perfect for me because I get to surprise everybody. If I was on TV everyday they’d be like, ‘Oh okay we were expecting that,” but I kind of get to show my ‘sneaky athleticism.'”

    However, selecting R.J Hunter at No. 13 might be a bit of a reach when you consider that the Suns need a stretch-4 to help on the glass. And if they really covet shooting at the 2-guard position, they could probably just go with Devin Booker instead.

    However, depending on who is available by then, Hunter impressed well enough with his media interviews and he projects to be a good enough shooter to be a possible first round option for the Suns on Jun. 25.

    Next: Conclusion

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