Atlanta Hawks: Who Should The Hawks Take With Their Lottery Pick In The 2018 Draft?
After a rather lackluster 24-58 season, the Atlanta Hawks have found themselves in the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery. They currently sit with the 4th best odds, with a 13.7% chance to land the top pick and a 42.3% chance to land in the top 3.
This draft selection will be the start of the full rebuild for the Hawks and will be the first top 7 draft selection since 2007 when the Hawks selected 5-time All-Star Al Horford with the 3rd overall selection.
Here are some prospects that the Hawks should be looking at with their top-7 pick as they look to kick off the rebuild strong through the draft.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. is the steadiest prospect in this class at the big-man position that isn’t named DeAndre Ayton. He provides upside on both ends of the floor and would provide a nice fit at the center position next to John Collins as the Hawks look to build their frontcourt of the future. If Dewayne Dedmon and Mike Muscala pick up their player options for next season, Jackson Jr. will have time to develop while Dedmon and Muscala play out the final year of their respective contracts, as well as being able to learn behind the 2 wily veterans for a season.
Marvin Bagley III
Bagley is one of the most polished offensive prospects to enter the draft this season, and while he struggles on the defensive end with his positioning, the offensive upside from all levels outweighs the defensive struggles that Bagley will have over his first few seasons in the league. He excels in the dunker spot on dribble drives as well as putting the ball on the floor from the pinch post are.
The Hawks have lacked such a player since the likes of Paul Millsap and Al Horford departed Atlanta. The fit isn’t perfect next to John Collins, but if the Hawks view Bagley as the best player available, they should take him at whatever pick they end up with.
Trae Young/Collin Sexton
This is a bit of a hot take, but the Hawks would be better off if Dennis Schröder were not the starting point guard moving forward. If the Hawks have an opportunity to move on from him for a fair return value, they should at least entertain the idea, which would not be out of character for GM Travis Schlenk. If they do move on from Schröder, look for the Hawks to look for his replacement in the form of either Trae Young of Oklahoma or Collin Sexton of Alabama.
Young is a dynamic shooter that has drawn comparisons to Stephen Curry, while Sexton is an athletic guard that can get to the basket at a high rate. Young or Sexton could be available to select when the Hawks’ pick rolls around if the Hawks decide that Schröder is not the answer for the future.