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2018 NBA Draft: 7 Players the Hawks Could Select at 19th Overall

By Chris Guest

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 7: Oregon forward Troy Brown (0) is all smiles at the end of overtime during the first round game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars on March 7, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 7: Oregon forward Troy Brown (0) is all smiles at the end of overtime during the first round game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington State Cougars on March 7, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Villanova guard Jalen Brunson (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Villanova guard Jalen Brunson (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Jalen Brunson

Much has been said of Jalen Brunson out of Villanova, who was the consensus player of the year in the 2017-18 NCAA basketball season.

A supremely talented and efficient scorer from all three levels, Brunson was a dominant force during his three seasons in college, using extremely skillful finishing to score efficiently and prolifically.

With Dennis Schröder likely on the move after expressing dissatisfaction with the direction of the Hawks franchise, selecting Brunson at 19th for the Hawks might be something of a stretch, or it might be the perfect place for him.

Sure, the Hawks will likely be looking for a home run with all of their picks in the first round in 2018, but why not select an extremely “safe” prospect like Brunson in order to steady the team’s less-experienced young players and prospects?

Otherworldly feel is Brunson’s claim to fame, but the question remains: Will his lack of athleticism ruin his chances in the NBA? Steady backup one Fred VanVleet would say no, as he got himself into the running for Sixth Man of the Year this season with rock-solid and mistake-free backup point guard play.

GM Travis Schlenk will have to decide if Brunson’s stupendous college career is a good-enough indicator of upside in today’s NBA.

Though Brunson would make for an interesting selection at 19th overall for the Hawks, a playoff-bound team lacking a steady backup point guard or (even starting point guard) would likely be a better fit for  the decorated Villanova veteran.