Atlanta Hawks: Atl All Day Mock Draft 2.0 Full Draft Edition
18. Indiana Pacers
Tyler Herro: Guard – Kentucky
Height:6’6 Weight:192 Age:19.3
Wingspan:6’3 Standing Reach:8’5
Tyler Herro is the second Kentucky player to be selected in the Atl All Day Mock Draft 2.0. The Indiana Pacers have lost versatile guard Tyreke Evans due to a drug suspension, so they will be in the market for more perimeter help. Tyler Herro would be the man to provide that help. Shooting is his best skill, but he’s not just a one dimensional marksman. Herro is also able to make plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates. He has been compared to Atlanta Hawks guard Kevin Huerter. He has a rare negative wingspan, that will likely hurt him on defense and the glass.
Mike Schmitz of ESPN posted this video of he and Tyler Herro breaking down film at the NBA Combine on Twitter:
From the NBA Draft Combine: Breaking down film with one of the most versatile shooters in the draft, Kentucky guard Tyler Herro. pic.twitter.com/ik8RiOtdRE
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) May 23, 2019
2018 Stats: Pts:14 REB:4.5 APG:2.5 STL:0.8 BLK:1.2 FG%:46.2 2P%:53.8 3P%35.5 FT%:93.5
19. San Antonio Spurs
Goga Bitadze: Center – Republic of Georgia
Height:6’11 Weight:251
Age:19.10 Wingspan:7’2
European big man Goga Bitadze is rising up the draft boards and it would not be surprising to see him sneak into the lottery. He could even be an option for the Atlanta Hawks, if general manager Travis Schlenk decides he must draft a center. However if this scenario does play out, expect the San Antonio Spurs to select Goga without hesitation. The Spurs have never been shy about drafting international talent. Goga Bitadze is a multi talented center that can shoot, pass and rebound. Most importantly he protects the rim, blocking shots from a variety of angles. His passing would be a great fit in the Spurs motion offense, and he has the ability to make teams pay from outside, if they choose to double team LeMarcus Aldridge or DeMarr Derozan. Goga broke the Euroleague record for highest player efficiency rating by a teenager, set by Luka Doncic last season. His weaknesses is his inability to defend on the perimeter, but he’s not a stick in the mud on defense. Even if he can’t switch on certain players, his offensive prowess should allow him to stay on the floor.
The Euroleague Twitter page posted the following profile that gives us a quick look at who Goga Bitadze is:
https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1096053220026343424?s=19
2018 Stats: Pts:12.1 REB:6.4 APG:1.2 STL:0.5 BLK:2.3 FG%:54.8 2P%:59.7 3P%:31.3 FT%:71.4
20. Boston Celtics
Luka Samanic: Forward – Croatia
Height:6’11 Weight:227 Age:19.4
Wingspan:6’11 Standing Reach:8’11
Luka Samanic, the young combo forward from Croatia, is moving up the draft boards due to his impressive NBA Combine showing. Not only did he test well athletically, but he was the best player in the day one five on five competitions. Samanic is best suited as a stretch four and excels as a three point marksman. He also handles the ball adequately. He needs to continue to improve defensively, as well as making plays for others. With the lack of point guard options and the fact that Boston has more wings than PetSmart, the Celtics would be wise to continue building depth in their frontcourt. Drafting Luka Samanic here, would do just that. After taking Jaxson Hayes earlier, Luka gives them a long term replacement for Al Horford in the stretch big man role.
The following tweet by Mike Schmitz of ESPN, shows us some of the good work that Luka Samanic did during the NBA Combine scrimmages:
Going back through the tape, 6'11 Croatian forward Luka Samanic made so many impact plays on both ends of the floor yesterday. Inside-out scoring threat who played with solid toughness/physicality. Showed his ability to step out and switch as well. Great day for him overall. pic.twitter.com/kEbok643VF
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) May 17, 2019