Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft: Matisse Thybulle rises, Sixers grab scorer

Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft — 23. Rui Hachimura, Oklahoma City Thunder

This probably seems low for Rui Hachimura, who has two productive NBA seasons under his belt. There were significant questions about his defense coming out of Gonzaga, and his decision-making on offense had long been doubted. Even so, he has carved out a significant role in Washington’s starting five.

In the end, a lot of those questions still linger, whether Washington fans would like to acknowledge them or not. Hachimura is a shaky 3-point shooter, and generates most of his offense slashing downhill and abusing smaller defenders with his strength. That’s all good and well, but he still lacks the basketball I.Q. and awareness necessary to elevate teammates. Possessions often boil down to Hachimura doing something awesome and scoring, or not really involving himself.

The defense is also a problem. Hachimura has every physical tool in his back pocket, but he’s never in the right spot and he gets burned rather consistently on the perimeter. His physical talent is without doubt, and the Thunder invest accordingly, but there’s reason for skepticism with the former lottery pick.