With the NBA draft quickly approaching, a lot of headlines are swirling around college basketball’s biggest names.
Despite undergoing hand surgery and being called a bad teammate by one NBA website, Kevin Huerter has seen his name continue to rise up draft boards.
As Huerter’s name is most likely going to be called on Thursday night, we listed which teams we’d most like to see draft the Red Mamba. Here’s our top five:
5. New York Knicks
Before coming to College Park, Huerter was one of the biggest names in New York high school basketball. At Shenendehowa Central, he was named the state’s “Mr. Basketball” and the New York Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior.
Now, he could have the chance to return home and play on one of the biggest stages in basketball. Huerter is projected to be a late first round pick, so if the Knicks take him at No. 9, a lot of New York fans would find another reason to groan on draft night. Of course, there is a chance the Knicks acquire a pick later in the first round where he wouldn’t be seen as a reach. Regardless, his length and sharpshooting, he would fit well with the Knicks young core.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been the talk of the league recently despite not even making the playoffs. While NBA Twitter is photoshopping every superstar into a Lakers jersey, there are some serious talks that a big name could be playing in Los Angeles next season.
Red Mamba > Black Mamba https://t.co/CWuaA7B9Rx
— Terps Watch (@TerpsWatch) June 14, 2018
He may not be a superstar (yet), but Huerter has had his named mentioned with the Lakers’ No. 25 pick. Multiple sources, including the Los Angeles Times, predicts the Lakers to pick Huerter. He seemed to enjoy his workout with the team, so what would be better than joining the next superteam?
3. Golden State Warriors
Speaking of superteams, the Warriors are coming off their third championship in four years. With the No. 28 pick in this year’s draft, they may have to move up or hope Huerter drops if they want to grab him.
If Huerter does join the reigning champions, he’d certainly fit into their offensive scheme. Huerter showed off his range plenty of times at Maryland, shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc. If Golden State wants to add another Splash Brother, they know whose name to call.
2. Portland Trail Blazers
If Justin Jackson gets selected on Thursday, it’ll be the second time in three years that two Terps were selected in the draft. The last time, in 2016, both Diamond Stone and Jake Layman were chosen in the second round. After a trade with the Orlando Magic, Layman ended up in Portland.
Since being drafted, Layman has shined in the little playing time he’s gotten. Many compared Huerter to Layman as he came to Maryland and now they could be teammates. Gary Parrish of CBS Sports projects Portland to take Huerter at No. 24. The Trail Blazers already have one Terp, so why not two?
1. Washington Wizards
Huerter played his college career in the DMV, so why leave? The Wizards hold the No. 15 pick and could use a lengthy wing to provide some help on offense. John Wall and Bradley Beal have carried the load in Washington but Huerter’s sharpshooting adds another weapon.
On top of that, Huerter certainly knows how to play in Capital One Arena. For those of you that don’t remember, he single-handedly (pun intended) stopped Georgetown from taking down the Terps in the Wizards’ home arena.
November 15, 2016: Maryland at Georgetown
Kevin Huerter’s second game game as a Terp included one of his biggest plays of the season. His block gave Maryland a narrow win over the Hoyas, 76-75. pic.twitter.com/ejEoUCDpFh
— Terps Watch (@TerpsWatch) November 8, 2017