Atlanta Hawks: Ranking the Top 8 Lottery Picks By Best Fit
By Chris Guest
![NORMAN, OK - FEBRUARY 05: Trae Young NORMAN, OK - FEBRUARY 05: Trae Young](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/00b481710eb9742a3ef58183a824e77f77722c0c055c7fec10e2901ab7e8b0d1.jpg)
DeAndre Ayton – Arizona
A chiseled physical specimen, Ayton’ miniscule body fat ratio means he is already in near-peak condition – ready to rock rim in the NBA with the best of them.
Most draft boards have Ayton as the best prospect in the draft, and honestly, it’s a total coin flip. Ayton would pair with John Collins as a striking big man duo and he would become one of the Hawks’ best options on offense.
His defensive smarts have been called into question, as he did not contribute in any major way on that side of the ball. That mostly stemmed from a lack of effort, though, which will likely improve against the tougher competition in the NBA.
Ayton is surely a slam dunk selection, but with the Hawks likely not being able to attain the number one overall pick, he might just be beyond the team’s reach.
However, if they were to somehow nab him with the top pick (or second pick depending on how team’s view our next prospect), they would likely be set at the center position for many years to come.