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Atlanta Hawks: Players To Target With The No. 44 Pick

By Colby Giacubeno

Feb 28, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (20) celebrates a victory after a game against the Washington State Cougars at Gill Coliseum. The Beavers won 69-49. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (20) celebrates a victory after a game against the Washington State Cougars at Gill Coliseum. The Beavers won 69-49. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Isaiah Cousins (11) shoots the ball over Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) during the first half in the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Isaiah Cousins (11) shoots the ball over Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) during the first half in the 2016 NCAA Men /

Isaiah Cousins- Oklahoma

2015-16 statistics: 12.6 PPG, 4.5 APG, 4.5 RPG

Another guard that should be on the Hawks’ radar is Oklahoma’s Isaiah Cousins. His name was overlooked in large part because he played alongside Buddy Hield, but Cousins was a key part in helping the Sooners advance to the Final Four last season.

Cousins measured in at 6’4.5″ at the NBA Combine and despite him not having intimidating size, he isn’t scared to get physical with opposing big men while attacking the rim. There isn’t really one thing that Cousins excels at doing offensively, but he is pretty well-rounded at scoring from all three levels.

Of all the prospects on this list, Cousins would need the most improvement in order to become a rotational player for the Hawks. He played time on and off the ball at Oklahoma, but his average ball-handling kept him from being the primary point guard.

Defensively, Cousins’ competitiveness often fuels him to make plays, but it can also get the better of him. There are times where he tends to gamble on passes or falls asleep when his man doesn’t have the ball.

Next: Are The Atlanta Hawks Contenders Or Pretenders?

Cousins could still develop into a valuable NBA player because of his relentless competitiveness. It would be easy to assume that he would dedicate the hard work needed to give himself an opportunity to prove himself to Budenholzer.