Atlanta Hawks: First-Round NBA Draft Options
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks fan David S. Paige-Bey of Atlanta, Georgia, holds a sign prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA Draft begins tonight and the Atlanta Hawks will have the 15th overall selection (assuming they don’t move up). Atlanta received the pick from Brooklyn via the Joe Johnson heist, and although it may not be as high as we had hoped, this deep draft should provide a slew of great options.
Given the looming free agent decisions from DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap, the Atlanta Hawks are searching for forwards that can defend, rebound, and stretch the floor. Atlanta’s struggles down the stretch and into the postseason highlighted the need for better wing defense and help on the glass, and the Hawks are accordingly focused on young, athletic wings and power forwards.
Atlanta will try to take the most talented forward available in a draft stacked with big men and guards. They already have shooting and playmaking, and need to focus on adding skills to the team and avoiding players with redundant talents (like Adreian Paine, last year’s first round pick).
Rather than sort through the pros and cons of every potential possibility, I have focused on the mock drafts of NBA columnists throughout the media. This serves as a valuable indication of who the Hawks may have their eyes on as well as who many scouts feel would make a good addition to the team. All this work aside, the draft is ultimately a crapshoot and a few trades and interesting selections could easily turn any team’s board upside down, especially in the middle to late first round.
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