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NBA Draft Lottery: Atlanta Hawks To Select 3rd Overall

By Chris Guest

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum shakes hands with Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns after awarding the Phoenix Suns the number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum shakes hands with Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns after awarding the Phoenix Suns the number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After much fanfare (and an outrageously timed commercial break from ESPN), the Atlanta Hawks know where they will select in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Despite much clamoring from the fanbase about winning too much down the end of the season (something we did not agree with), the Hawks actually moved up one spot and will select 3rd overall on June 21 when the NBA Draft takes place.

The Phoenix Suns, who had the most ping-pong balls, won the lottery and will select 1st overall for the first in franchise history. The Sacramento Kings were the big movers in the draft, as they skyrocketed up 5 spots to select 2nd overall. Apparently starting point guard De’Aaron Fox is something of a good luck charm for the team.

The Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks were big losers on this night, as both teams dropped two spots – the Grizzlies fell to 4th and the Mavs fell to 5th. Despite finishing tied with the Hawks for the third-worst record overall and even winning a tiebreaker for more ping-pong balls, the Mavs will not pick above the Hawks this year – though they will likely still have a chance to pick a dominant big man, which is something they’ve coveted for years.

Though selecting 1st or 2nd overall would’ve been preferable (obviously), the 3rd overall pick is an excellent door prize for a Hawks team that suffered through its worst season in 15 years, and the recent history of the 3rd overall pick should give Hawks fans plenty of hope:

There will be multiple franchise-altering talents available with the 3rd overall pick, though DeAndre Ayton and Luka Doncic will likely be off the board by this point.

The frontrunners for selection for Atlanta will likely by Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young and Mohamed Bamba, all of which have their pros and cons, which we’ve highlighted via our Draft Pick Profiles.

The Hawks have had great success picking 3rd overall in years past. The last time they had the 3rd overall pick, they selected the great Al Horford, who has finally been getting the credit he deserves for being an incredible talent on both ends of the floor now that he’s leading a depleted Celtic roster on an impressive playoff run.

Either way, though this isn’t the best news, picking 3rd overall is still pretty sweet for Hawks fans.

Next: 4 Possible NBA Draft Steals for Hawks

Now we wait until June 21, when the NBA Draft occurs! Keep it locked to Soaring Down South for all your Hawks draft coverage.

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