Justise Winslow linked to Atlanta Hawks in ESPN Mock Draft

By nature of the utterly amazing trade that jettisoned Joe Johnson (and his massive salary) to the Brooklyn Nets in order to set up this recent run, the Atlanta Hawks hold the right to swap first round draft picks with the Nets in the upcoming NBA Draft. That provides context to the latest ESPN mock draft ($) released on Tuesday, where Chad Ford projects Duke forward Justise Winslow to the Hawks with the 12th overall pick.

Ford provided this snippet while linking Winslow and the Hawks:

"The Nets are still paying the price for all those championships Joe Johnson brought to Brooklyn. This year they must swap picks with the Hawks, giving Atlanta a rare chance to both compete for a title and add a lottery pick. The Hawks are built on chemistry, defense and unselfishness — all things that Winslow brings to the table. At first scouts thought he might be the best NBA prospect of the available wings, but injuries and shooting slumps have hurt his stock. He would be a perfect fit in Atlanta –especially with DeMarre Carroll heading into free agency this summer."

It is certainly important to note that DeMarre Carroll is a free agent this summer, but even if he were to re-up, grabbing Winslow with the 12th pick would be solid value. He has the upside to be the best perimeter defender in the 2015 draft class, and various pundits have opined that Justise Winslow can and would be a top-10 pick.

Following the Brooklyn Nets, and rooting against them, has become a popular pastime for fans of the Atlanta Hawks, but if it nets Justise Winslow or another elite prospect in an Atlanta uniform, everything will be worth it.