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Should the Atlanta Hawks go after the Detroit Pistons’ 12th pick?

By Justin Hodges

Jan 18, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) looks to defend Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) during the third quarter of the game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the Hawks 118-95. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) looks to defend Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) during the third quarter of the game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the Hawks 118-95. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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With three picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, 19th, 31st, and 60th, the possibility for the Atlanta Hawks to potentially trade up in the draft still remains firm.

The luxury of being able to pick a potentially better talent, or not having the stress of waiting anxiously while the players you want aren’t picked before your selection, is one that the Atlanta Hawks and new general manager Travis Schlenk may be wise to consider.

Last year, the Jeff Teague trade brought the Hawks the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. There they selected Taurean Prince, who has established himself as the team’s starting small forward of the future. Ironically enough, the very same pick may be up for grabs again this season.

"NBA Draft scuttle: Hearing Detroit is open to discussing trades for its No. 12 overall pick in hopes of acquiring more of a win-now veteran. — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 30, 2017"


According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Detroit Pistons are reportedly open to the possibility of trading the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Per Stein, the Pistons are interested in acquiring a veteran talent in attempts to build a “win-now” atmosphere within the team.

The main issue with the Hawks potentially making moves here is that, at the moment, the team doesn’t have many contracts to work with. A majority of the Hawks roster last season were on the final year of their current contracts.

With free agency not taking place until after the NBA Draft those particular players, some perceived as valuable, would not be available for trade. This includes Thabo Sefolosha, Paul Millsap, Ersan Ilyasova, Mike Muscala, and others.

Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) calls a play against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) calls a play against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pistons are in potential need of wing players, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Bullock set to be free agents. Two players on the Hawks roster currently under contract that could potentially be used as trade bait are Kent Bazemore and Mike Dunleavy Jr.. A trade package with those two, and possibly one of the Hawks’ current picks, could be one that lures the Pistons’ front office in.

Next: Statistical analysis of Atlanta's most used lineups

While there is no indication that the Atlanta Hawks would be interested in attempting a move like this, it is one that could benefit the team if they were to pull it off. It is something worth pondering about as we get closer and closer to the 2017 NBA Draft.