ATL All Day
Fansided

Way Too Late Take On The Atlanta Hawks 2018 Draft

By W. M. Lawson

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver poses with (L-R) Donte DiVincenzo, Jerome Robinson, Mikal Bridges, Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wendell Carter Jr., Collin Sexton, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Miles Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Jaren Jackson, Aaron Holiday, Chandler Hutchison and Zhaire Smith pose for a photo before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver poses with (L-R) Donte DiVincenzo, Jerome Robinson, Mikal Bridges, Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wendell Carter Jr., Collin Sexton, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Miles Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Jaren Jackson, Aaron Holiday, Chandler Hutchison and Zhaire Smith pose for a photo before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Atlanta Hawks had an abysmal 2017-2018 season. Historically, bad. This NBA Draft is supposed to be the beginning of the new world. Was it?

There comes a time when most fans of most teams cry, “OK. That’s enough.”. Every team. Regardless of sport. I’m old enough to remember when the Patriots, the Cubs, the Yankees, Green Bay, and Alabama were terrible. Every fan base, for every team, ever, has gone through it. Just some more than others. Atlanta Hawks fans are the others. We’ve had moments. Some, really good. And recently. Some, and most, really bad. We’re waiting for them to do what they are destined to do. Break out for good. The last few years hurt that expectation. This 2018 NBA Draft was supposed to heal that wound. The question is: Did it?

The entire conversation will begin and end with Trae Young. Forever. When they traded, what will be an All-Star for years, in a Luca Doncic, for a dude who could be that, but might also “inspire”, that’s when the decision was evident. There are some who see this draft in that former lens. There are others who are effusive in praise. Some have Steph Curry references. Steph Curry!

More from ATL All Day

Look. Nobody knows if that is true. Oklahoma fans will tell you it is. But, Georgia fans are convinced that Nick Chubb is about to light up the NFL (he might). But nobody knows. Not a single person. If it’s true, then Travis Schlenk just wrote his ticket to the NBA Hall of fame. If he’s wrong, and Doncic is what Nowitzki has told everybody he is, then Schlenk has some explaining to do. Or a make up move. Everybody has a makeup move. But, you have to get that move right.

Then, you have the Hawks taking Kevin Huerter with the 19th pick. It, possibly, was the most important pick of the draft, and it still baffled. There are two camps that have formed: It was genius or it was reach. Sound familiar? It should. Different pick, same round, same draft, same result. Folks were baffled. But, not confused.

It was very clear, then, what kind of team, and/or vision, the Front Office has and is guiding us to: One of explosive Offense and hopeful Defense.

In steps, with big steps, Omari Spellman. A “stretch” Forward in college. Dude has wheels, can shoot, and plays with effort. Who does that sound like? To be matched with John Collins, and have help on the fringe, dude could flourish. Another “reach” with big, giant, franchise helping potential.

Oh. And if Dallas sucks next year, but not so bad that they get a Top-5 lottery pick, then it becomes a huge draft for our Hawks. It would mean conniving, winning, and Game of Thrones type of stuff that our beloved Atlanta Hawks are usually on the business end of, when it ends. But not in that case. Two more Top-10 picks next year, and with this draft, and we’re back to being a menace.

I think most recognize this.

That’s a lot of “ifs”. If you believe in Schlenk and new Head Coach Lloyd Pierce, then you believe. If not, you will remain skeptical.

Next: Atlanta Hawks Five Trades For Kent Bazemore’s Awful Contract

This team is a Tabula Rasa. With two heavy contracts. Paint what you will.

Home/Atlanta Hawks