The 2018 NBA Draft is almost upon us. Hard to believe, right? The Atlanta Hawks had one of their tougher seasons in recent memory, finishing with the worst record in the Eastern Conference and nabbing the 3rd overall pick in the draft.
This is the highest they’ve selected since drafting Al Horford in 2007 (which worked out pretty well in the long run), and the team should be able to transform its roster with key players for the future of the franchise.
We’ve decided to outline the most realistic players the Hawks could select with each pick, divided by vague positional markers: Guard, Wing and Big Man.
Now, the wings the Atlanta Hawks could select with the #3 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Wing Options at #3 Overall
There is really only one option at the wing position for the Atlanta Hawks, and it is someone that Soaring Down South readers should be extremely aware of – the one and only Luka Doncic.
Perhaps the top prospect in this draft class, Doncic has been doing historic things in the Euroleague this season, but for someone, teams have seemingly soured on him in recent weeks.
In fact, Doncic has not confirmed that he will come over to the NBA for the draft, as he has expressed interest in remaining on his current team Real Madrid. However, he really has no reason to do so. He’s already one of the most decorated European players of all time, and the NBA would provide him with an even grander scale with which to showcase his transcendent skill set.
Without a doubt, Doncic is a franchise-changing talent, and we just hope that the Atlanta Hawks make the right choice and select him without hesitation if he somehow falls to the them with the #3 overall pick.
Two other options at the wing position for the 3rd overall pick have also been discussed before but to a lesser extent. Mikal Bridges of Villanova is a high-ceiling, high-floor prospect who was the best player on Villanova’s title team last year, but he just doesn’t quite have the upside and supreme youth of some of the more celebrated prospects in this year’s draft.
Another dark horse 3rd overall candidate is Michael Porter Jr. out of Missouri. While clearly a gifted player, he suffered a back injury to start the season and came back looking like a shell of himself.
However, his tantalizing upside was on full display in high school, as he would’ve likely be in consideration for the #1 overall pick if he had not suffered that injury. While we have our doubts about him at SDS, he should at least be on the Hawks’ radar if his medicals are clear.
Nobody knows exactly what GM Travis Schlenk will do in the 2018 NBA Draft, but it seems that he and Hawks owner Tony Ressler are on the same page, along with new coach Lloyd Pierce, so it looks like we’re in this rebuild for the long haul.
Next: Final Hawks Mock Draft Before NBA Draft on June 21
But never fear! The Process seemed to work out pretty well for Philadelphia, so let’s see if the Hawks can emulate it to a certain degree. Either way, this draft will be an important one for the team moving forward.