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Atlanta Hawks Offseason Grades: Drafting Omari Spellman #30 Overall

By Chris Guest

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Omari Spellman #6 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Omari Spellman #6 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As part of our offseason coverage, Soaring Down South is ranking each and every offseason transaction the Atlanta Hawks made.

After a slow start, the Atlanta Hawks kicked it into high gear and had one of the most action-packed and interesting offseasons in recent memory. Multiple trades and signings took place even after the NBA Draft, which was even more important for the Hawks in the long-term.

In our ongoing series of offseason reviews, it’s time to grade each move the Hawks made this offseason from draft picks to trades to free agency deals.

Next up is the Hawks’ decision to select Omari Spellman with the 30th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

A rather puzzling selection at the time, especially with many, many seemingly better-fitting options still on the board at #30 overall, Spellman’s performance in Summer League helped to shed some light on Travis Schlenk’s mind set before the selection of Spellman at 30th overall.

Atlanta Hawks #6 Omari Spellman
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 12: Omari Spellman, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

THE GRADE: C

Though Spellman flashed a varied and interesting skill set during Summer League, he comes in as a slightly older freshman that you would expect (21 years old), and he is still a rather raw prospect without a clear-cut #1 talent.

Sure, Spellman is an excellent athlete with natural fluidity and impressive burst, but the same could be said of various other players available in the 30-35 range in the 2018 Draft.

While Spellman’s notable major skill is his outside shot, which makes his size and position much more useful, he did not particularly impress in the shooting department in Summer League, though it must be said his form looked rock-solid with very little mechanic variability, and his returns might be far superior in the league proper than in the tiny sample size that Summer League could convey.

When looked at via the lens of recreating the Golden State Warriors’ success with Draymond Green, the selection of Spellman is perhaps more of a success. Just think of it: If Draymond had a jump shot, the Warriors might not have needed to upend the entire NBA by signing Kevin Durant, as Draymond with a jump shot is a terrifying idea.

If Spellman can hit his ceiling, that archetype might not be beyond the reach of the Atlanta Hawks. Sure, it will take time, but we shall see how Spellman develops during the regular season in 2018-19 and beyond.

Next. Hawks Projected Starting Lineup for 2018-19. dark

Stay tuned for the next story in our offseason grades series, and always keep it locked to Soaring Down South for all your Atlanta Hawks news.

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