There has been a healthy level of speculation that the Atlanta Hawks could combine picks #13 and #22 to move up in this year's draft. The thought being that Atlanta needs to add one high-impact player as opposed to adding more young depth options.
However, according to a recent report by NBA insider Jake Fischer, that isn't what the team's expectation is in the upcoming NBA Draft. Atlanta is expected to keep both picks and look to upgrade the center position. This lines up with all the offseason rumblings emerging about the Hawks thus far.
It seems the organization is poised to let Clint Capela depart in free agency. With the lack of free-throw shooting and decline in recent production, the move makes sense. Capela doesn't fit the timeline of a young team that is built around Trae Young and athletic wing defenders. It continues the recent trend of shedding older contracts in favor of bringing in younger pieces. It would leave the Hawks wide open as well to any free agency and trade approach.
Hawks Must Find Clint Capela Replacement in the NBA Draft
Atlanta cannot continue to stay content in its current mediocrity. Especially when Trae has proven the heights he can reach when given proper support. The best path forward for the Hawks is using both picks to improve depth and look for any possible avenues to adding a second star alongside the star point guard. It is a roster that needs a second established scorer that Jalen Johnson has yet to consistently be.
Health is everything in today's league, and Johnson is simply too injury-prone to rely on as your second star. With this in mind, the team would be wise to use its draft picks in an effort to improve at center and continue to search for ways to shed further salary. This means any trades of the picks are unlikely unless a surprise deal is presented to the franchise.
The Hawks need to consider using every possible asset not only to finally return to playoff relevance, but also due to the current state of the Eastern Conference. Among this season's playoff contenders, there isn't one roster that isn't facing major questions or concerns moving into next season. This gives all the more reason for the Hawks to use both picks in an attempt to find answers at the center position.