Atlanta Hawks Should Move up in the NBA Draft if Given The Chance

The Atlanta Hawks are once again in the draft rumor mill. This time there is some speculation the Hawks and Knicks could be potential trade partners allowing the Hawks to move up in the draft.

In this potential scenario the Atlanta Hawks would trade their two top ten picks to New York in exchange for the 3rd overall pick in the draft. It is an obvious move for the Hawks if the offer is ever on the table.

For New York, the move makes sense to allow them to save a bit of salary cap space and acquire two pieces to build around what they expect to do in free agency.

Whether it is Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving or both, the Knicks are expected to bring in at least one star free agent and this move helps them do just that.

For the Hawks, the move is simple, the higher they are in the draft the better their chances to land an impact player.

Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Luka Doncic are the last three players taken at the number three slot. All three have already been high impact players at times in their young careers. When you take a look back at the history of the draft the success rate picking third is impressive.

While there have been busts as there have been at any position there is a much higher chance the Hawks take an impact player than if they drafted 8th and 10th as they currently stand.

If the Knicks do indeed offer the Hawks this deal Atlanta should jump on the offer without hesitation. While it won’t land them Zion Williamson as fans had hoped it certainly will give them a better chance at taking a step forward in 2019.  R.J. Barrett seems like the likely pick if the Hawks do move up. Barrett would perfectly fit what the Hawks need and help their team take a step forward.