Atlanta Hawks: Atl All Day Mock Draft 2.0 Full Draft Edition
The NBA Draft is less than a month away on June 20. The picture will soon become clearer as the Atlanta Hawks have begun working out prospects. We show you how we think the first round will unfold, in the Atl All Day Mock Draft 2.0.
1. New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson: Forward – Duke
Height: 6’7 Weight:280
Wingspan:7’0 Age:18.8
Visons of Trae Young lobbing passes to Zion Williamson for the Atlanta Hawks have faded into a blur. Instead Williamson will take his talents to the bayou and reinvigorate the Pelicans fan base. The only question that remains, is rather will Zion team with superstar Anthony Davis. Signs are pointing to Davis still wanting to leave and Zion being the face of the Pelicans franchise. His jaw dropping dunks will be the buzz of the NBA world, but his motor, quick first step and ball handling abilities are what truly makes him a special prospect.
Almost every mock draft has Zion Williamson being selected number one overall and the latest mock draft by SI.com draft expert Jeremy Woo is no exception. He added these comments about the Pelicans drafting Zion:
"Well, this won’t surprise anyone. The inexplicable wave of chatter that Williamson would ever consider returning to Duke wasn’t exactly logical. Williamson had a positive meeting with the Pelicans at the combine and walked away expecting to be a Pelican, as evidenced by his stepfather’s public comments. New Orleans is also dealing with Anthony Davis’s trade demand, so there are a number of directions they can theoretically go, but Williamson is already one of the league’s most valuable young assets and holds a world of potential. Don’t expect the Pelicans to overthink this."
2018 Stats: PPG:22.6 REB: 8.9 APG:2.1 BPG:1.8 STL:2.1 FG%:68 2P%:74.7 3P%:33.8 FT%:64%
2. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant: Point Guard – Murray State
Height:6’3 Weight: 170
Wingspan:6’6″ Age:19.7
The Memphis Grizzlies have already stated their intentions to draft athletic point guard Ja Morant, with the number two pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Morant is more than just a great athlete. He also lead the entire nation in assists. In fact he averaged more assists at Murray State last year, than Trae Young did the season before at Oklahoma. Some people have compared Morant to Russell Westbrook with a better feel for when to pass. Others have likened him to John Wall with more offensive ability. Regardless they are lofty comparisons for Morant to live up to, as he teams with Jaren Jackson Jr. to form the Grizzlies’ new foundation.
Kyle Boone of CBSsports.com is also projecting Morant to Memphis in his most recent mock draft and offers the following remarks:
"Memphis’ rebuilding effort has officially been expedited. After moving up the lottery and securing the No. 2 pick, they’ve lucked out by being in position to draft Mike Conley’s successor at point guard in Morant. Morant is the best and most creative passer in this draft — one-handed lasers, no-look zips, he’s got it all in his package. Morant led the NCAA last season with a 51.9% assist rate, and he’s the first player to average at least 10 assists per game since Nelson Haggerty in 1994."