The 2017-18 Atlanta Hawks season is finally over with the team finishing with a rather unimpressive 24-58 record. Even though the season was pretty much a lost cause from the start, the Hawks franchise will be sitting pretty come NBA draft time as 4 top-35 picks will be the organization’s coffers.
Of course, the main draw will be the team’s own first round pick, which will most likely be in the top 3-5. There are numerous franchise-altering, high-upside players within the top 5, so the Hawks should immediately be able to improve their lot next season.
However, despite the importance of the team’s own first round pick, the Hawks also have numerous picks in the 18-35 range of the draft. Though these picks are rarely as important as Top 5 picks, just look how well the organization did last season selecting at number 19: John Collins has been one of the most productive rookies in Hawks franchise history and his efforts will hopefully be rewarded with a First-Team All-Rookie selection.
In this piece, we will explore 13 of the most interesting non-lottery options the Hawks could explore in this offseason’s upcoming draft. Though it would be nice to think that Mikal Bridges, Wendell Carter or Collin Sexton will fall into the Hawks lap, the team would probably have to move up in the draft if they wanted to have a chance on those fringe lottery candidates, so they will be left off this list.
Also, we have already discussed numerous non-lottery options for Atlanta in our previous mock drafts (post-All-Star Break, number 2.0 and number 3.0), and we still believe that the Hawks should prioritize switchable, athletic wings who can shoot and handle the ball, so intriguing players such as Rawle Alkins, Shake Milton, Aaron Holiday, Keita Bates-Diop, Melvin Frazier, Landry Shamet, Jerome Robinson and Troy Brown will not be on this list either.
Lastly, we are assuming that Atlanta will get the 4th pick in the draft at this stage, as they just lost a tiebreaker with the Mavs for third-best odds in the draft.
Chandler Hutchison
Chandler Hutchison has improved his stats each season at Boise State, and he could fill an important role off the bench for the Hawks in the upcoming season.
Hutchison’s sizeable 6’7”, 200-pound frame should serve him well as a switchable defender across multiple positions, and he put up big per-game numbers for the Broncos in his final year: 20 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
While his three-point shooting dipped a bit on more attempts in the 2017-18 season, his true shooting was actually the best of his career at 57.5 percent. He upped both his three-point attempt rate to a career-high 29.6 and his free throw attempt rate skyrocketed to an excellent 51.9 percent – meaning he was shooting free throws more than half of his possessions. When combined with a career-high 33.2 percent usage, Hutchison was a dominant and efficient offensive player in his final season.
That polish should translate beautifully into the Hawks system, as the team could use a more polished rookie when combined with the steps that Taurean Prince has taken this year and John Collins will hopefully take next year.
Khyri Thomas
A ball-hawking defender with an excellent outside touch, Khyri Thomas out of Creighton is a prototypical three-and-D prospect of the highest order. In three seasons in the Big East, Thomas shot 40.6 percent from deep.
This season, Thomas drilled 41.1 percent of his treys on an impressive 44.2 percent three-point attempt rate. His 65 percent true shooting percentage in 17-18 was also a career-high and accounted for his extremely efficient scoring profile on the offensive end.
Thomas is a pesky defender who hassles opposing ballhandlers with his length and effort, and he averaged 1.4 steals per game over his college career, including a career-high 56 this season (4th in the Big East.
As a rock-solid three-and-D option, Thomas should have immediate value in the NBA and on the Hawks especially, as the team’s defense was lackluster at best in the 17-18 season.
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson, whose Villanova Wildcats just won their second NCAA title in three years, swept most of the college postseason awards, including AP Player of the Year, the Wooden Award, the Naismith Award and many more.
Despite putting up tremendous stats on a terrific, title-winning team, he is clearly a lesser prospect than his running mate Mikal Bridges, who is a fringe lottery prospect that will make any team that drafts him better. Is the same true of Brunson?
While his effort, feel for the game and basketball IQ cannot be faulted, and there’s no denying he put up massive numbers in college, Brunson is clearly undersized at 6’3” and many of those same passes and layups he got in college will not come easy in the NBA.
Still though, a proven winner with a tremendous NCAA pedigree will always be worth a shot, and the Hawks could be in the market for both a backup and starting point guard – if big changes come this offseason.
Brunson would bring a hard-nosed, winning attitude to a Hawks squad that showed some signs of gelling around Taurean Prince and John Collins in the later stages of the season. Another young, steady hand (who isn’t as ball-dominant as Dennis Schröder) at point guard could help bring this team even closer together.
Moritz Wagner
After a terrific run to the title game with Michigan, during which he put up a career night of 24 points and 15 rebounds against Loyola Chicago in the Final Four, Moritz Wagner (Mo) upped his draft stock considerably and is now slated to be picked in the early to mid-second round.
Wagner’s run through the tournament was certainly laudable, but his all-around stats should have impressed Hawks brass enough to think about drafting him earlier in the second round. The 20-year-old junior power forward proved himself as a clear inside-out threat from the four position, as he drained 39.4 percent of his attempts from downtown.
His three-point attempt rate of 39.1 percent was also a career-high, and he averaged 4.1 attempts per game in 39 starts.
Wagner should serve as an important pick-and-pop threat and pick-and-roll finisher, as his bulky 6’11”, 240-pound frame could the provide the Hawks with some heft inside, something they lacked in the 2017-18 after the departure of Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard.
Dzanan Musa
The most tantalizing foreign prospect in this draft not named Luka Doncic, Dzanan Musa is currently playing in the Croatian League for Zagreb’s KK Cedevita. The Bosnian-born player clocks in with solid measurables: 6’9” with a 7’ wingspan, but he still needs to pack on some muscle on his thin, 185-pound frame.
Luckily, he has time, as Musa is only 18 years old, yet has also proven himself as a gifted perimeter scorer in the Croatian League. Musa’s numbers might look weak, but they are muted due to the low minute totals that European leagues usually play their players. When looking at Musa’s stats per-36 minutes, his production becomes clear: 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 36.4 percent from deep on 6.1 attempts per game.
Musa is a quick decision-maker, providing terrific off-ball movement for ballhandlers, and his shooting stroke looks sharp. With numerous first-picks on the table for Atlanta, going for a high-upside draft-and-stash prospect like Musa might make sense, and he could even see the floor earlier if the team wants to check him out in the second year of a rebuild.
Devonte’ Graham
Devonte’ Graham, who piloted a terrific Kansas team to a berth in the Final Four, had a standout senior season and should be rewarded with a late-first or early second-round selection.
The Hawks could do with more depth at the point guard spot, as Coach Bud rolled out lineups in the final games of the season that started Damion Lee and DeAndre’ Bembry as the primary ballhandlers – who are not true point guards. Atlanta has also lacked shooting from the point guard position ever since Dennis Schröder took over starting duties from Jeff Teague; sure Schröd will attempt those shots with great haste, but he would never be confused for a great shooter.
Graham would immediately upgrade Atlanta’s backcourt shooting abilities as a backup with his 40.6 percent clip from deep. Though Graham’s finishing at the rim is suspect, he is a terrific passer, as his 7.5 assists per game in the Big 12 would indicate. Though undersized, Graham is quick and smart as a ballhandler, which could serve him well in the Hawks ball movement-heavy system.
Vince Edwards
A senior out of Purdue, Vince Edwards was remarkably consistent throughout his career in the Big Ten. Through 138 career college games, Edwards shot 39.2 percent from deep, 47.3 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free throw line, all adding up to a strong 58.1 true shooting percentage – again, that’s for his four-year career.
Edwards measures out at 6’8” and 225 pounds with a 7’ wingspan. Though his chiseled frame is NBA-ready, he lacks the athleticism of many of the players on this list – hence his status as an early-to-mid second-round pick.
If the Hawks like Edwards’ well-rounded offensive skill set, they might take a flyer on him early in the second round.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Nabbing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be something of a pipe dream for the Hawks, as he is expected to be selected right at the tail end of the lottery in the mid-first round.
SGA was the clear leader for a Kentucky team that looked to be in prime position for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament after top seed Virginia was knocked out. Of course, it was not to be (for either team), but Shai catapulted himself into the spotlight after an amazing freshman year.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished the season as Kentucky’s primary ballhandler and excelled in that role, finishing with a 21.3 PER, a 57.9 true shooting percentage, 40.4 percent from three and averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 1248 total minutes for Coach Cal.
Clearly ready for the NBA after one season, SGA’s all-around physical tools and smooth ballhandling, shooting and finishing means that Atlanta might not get the chance to select him at 19. If he’s still on the board, though, the team should jump at the chance to nab him.
Gary Trent Jr.
Another player who profile as a three-and-D wing, Gary Trent Jr. out of Duke showed enough in his first season to merit a late-first or early second-round pick from the Hawks. Though overshadowed by Marvin Bagley III’s lotto-bound brilliance and Grayson Allen’s senior season farewell tour, Trent quietly had a strong season for the Blue Devils.
Trent would be a terrific wing option for Atlanta if he was drafted, as he got up a ton of threes for Duke in his lone season in the ACC. Trent shot 40.2 percent from deep on 241 attempts, which was 4th in the ACC. His 56.4 percent three-point attempt rate would’ve been among the top 5 on the Hawks, as the team desperately needs a deadly shooter from outside that teams must respect at all times – a Buddy Hield or Wayne Ellington type.
Trent could be that guy for the Hawks if they wanted to take a swing on him late-first or early second.
Bruce Brown
Though Bruce Brown was injured through all of February for Miami and had something of a lost season as he struggled to find the range from deep (finishing with a poor 26.7 percent stroke from beyond the three-point line), he will still likely get a look-in from the Hawks as a late first-round or early second round selection for the team.
Even though he only played 640 total minutes, Brown has shown enough in his college career that a future in the NBA is quite likely. His athleticism and speed overall and a knack for locking guys down with gritty, hard-nosed defense should benefit a Hawks team that was among the worst in the league on the less glamorous end in 17-18.
If the medical reports don’t fly any red flags, the Hawks should seriously consider Brown with their final pick in the first round or their only pick in the second round.
Jontay Porter
The less-heralded younger brother of likely lottery pick Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter has improved his stock dramatically thanks to his older brother missing pretty much the entire season with a back injury. Upon Michael’s return, he did himself no favors with some rather ugly performances in the final 3 games of Missouri’s season.
Jontay, on the other hand, had a strong season for Mizzou, averaging 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33 games of action. Though his size and length might not be the strongest, he profiles to be a strong contributor in the NBA, especially given a few cycles through “Hawks University.”
Porter is slated to be picked in the mid-to-late-first round, which is exactly where Atlanta will be selecting. Who knows, the Hawks might be able to pick up two Porters on draft night if the picks fall the right way!
Tony Carr
Tony Carr had a breakout year for the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2017-18, and he ended up finishing 2nd in made field goals in the Big Ten with 245, 1st in attempted field goals with an immense 600 and 1st in points with 725.
Carr is what you would call a throwback player, a ball-dominant two guard who is looking to get his own shot first and pass to someone else as a second option. Volume scoring was the name of the game for Carr in 17-18, as his true shooting percentage of 50.2 does not scream “efficient.”
But still, the Hawks are in no position to quibble, and Carr’s singular talents could suit a team that lacked someone who was willing to shoot with no conscience, as Dennis Schröder was more reliant on drives to score, which are much easier to defend than a jump shot. If the Hawks wanted to take a chance on a volume scorer in the second round, which is where Carr is expected to be selected, it would make sense.
Zhaire Smith
A gifted, quick-twitch athlete who put his on talents on display in Texas Tech’s run to the Elite Eight, Zhaire Smith’s name has been bandied about as a mid-to-late first rounder in the 2018 draft.
Smith dominated the Big 12 with the Red Raiders, as he was 10th in Player Efficiency Rating (22.9), 2nd in offensive rating per 100 possessions (128.9) and 6th in defensive rating per 100 (95.3). Some spectacular numbers, but will they translate?
With a 6’5”, 195-pound frame, Smith should immediately be able to come in and hound opposing players on the defensive end with his length and stellar athleticism. His development on the offensive end might take longer, as he didn’t show much knack for producing his own shot. Still though, he shot 45 percent from deep (on only 40 attempts), and good shooters at the two guard position will always at least merit a look at the NBA level.
Rodions Kurucs
Latvia-born Rodions Kurucs is the final foreign-born player on this list, and he also might be the most tantalizing but also most unknown. Kurucs currently plays for Barcelona in the Spanish Liga ACB, where he has barely played – only logging 57 total minutes this season.
At 6’9” and 220 pounds, Kurucs has an NBA-ready frame, though he’s still a bit thin. He is fast though, with a great first step allowing him to cruise past defenders and into the lane for easy looks around the rim. He has shown craft with his finishing and his shooting off the dribble and in spot-up situations has been sterling.
Kurucs has been spotted all over draft boards, as pundits have no idea where to put a player who clearly has plenty of upside but without much footage or statistics to back up taking him too early. He might be another draft-and-stash option as a late-first or early-second round option for the Hawks.
Hamidou Diallo
After a deeply disappointing season with Kentucky, Hamidou Diallo has slid with alacrity down many draft boards since the college basketball season ending – even dropping off of some peoples’ lists. While it may behoove Diallo to return for a sophomore season with Coach Cal to improve his draft stock, he might still be worth a look for Atlanta in the 2nd round.
Picking around #35 overall in the second round will almost certainly be a reach for Diallo, as many draft boards have him as a late second round pick at best, but his athleticism still pops off the screen in spurts, and that is certainly what caught the eye of scouts when Diallo was in high school.
But it’s all about production in the NCAA, and Diallo did not impress in his first season of college ball. Shooting percentages of 42.8 percent from the field, 33.8 percent from three-point range and 61.1 percent from the free lines also don’t help Diallo’s image as an extremely raw athletic freak who still needs to learn the finer points of playing the game.
Next: Four Realistic Free Agent Signings for the Hawks
Diallo would be better served returning to Kentucky and honing his craft, but he is still a name to pay attention to going forward.