Atlanta Hawks NBA Draft Lottery Preview

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 26: General Manager Travis Schlenk of the Atlanta Hawks introduces new draft pick John Collins during a Press Conference on June 26, 2017 at Fox Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 26: General Manager Travis Schlenk of the Atlanta Hawks introduces new draft pick John Collins during a Press Conference on June 26, 2017 at Fox Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after dunking against the USC Trojans
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after dunking against the USC Trojans

#1 Overall Pick
13.7% odds
Best Pick: DeAndre Ayton / Luka Doncic

Winning the lottery would definitely make the 2017-18 season worth it. Despite a tough year for the Hawks with very little talent on the roster, nabbing a number one overall pick in a draft with two surefire talents would definitely be a worthwhile payoff.

We have outlined our love for Luka Doncic on multiple occasions, and we’ve provided a profile of his skill set as well. The Hawks have needed a willing passer and a gifted pick-and-roll ballhandler for a while now, and Doncic would provide that in a wing-sized body with a savant-like basketball IQ.

On the other hand, DeAndre Ayton is almost certainly the “safer pick,” as his chiseled frame and NBA-ready tools would immediately improve the Hawks on the offensive end – as outlined in our profile of the Arizona big man.

Either way, winning the lottery would make all that losing moot, as the team would be able to grow organically through the draft with one of the best prospects they’ve had on the team since Al Horford was selected over 10 years ago.