2018 NBA Draft: Could Hawks Trade Up for Wizards Pick?
Tomorrow marks the 2018 NBA Draft and teams are starting to raise the stakes and trade offers. The Atlanta Hawks will enter tomorrow’s draft with four picks in total and look to start their rebuilding process in earnest.
With the third pick in the draft tomorrow night the Atlanta Hawks have a tough decision to make. Yesterday, Bleacher Report’s Alec Nathan released a story that explained how the Atlanta Hawks were interested in moving up in the draft.
The Hawks, who also have the No. 19th and 30th pick in 2018 NBA Draft as well as 3rd overall, were exploring the possibilities of pairing the two picks to move up in the draft, per Bleacher Report. If the Hawks do trade their other two first-round picks it’s safe to say that they believe they will catch an overlooked lottery prospect.
Earlier today Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale provided an overview of a possible trade between the Washington Wizards and Hawks.
Why trade two picks to move up four slots?
Trading two picks in the first round for one pick may not be a popular move for some. But if the Hawks do acquire the 15th overall pick they have a better chance to land another game changer.
Yes, drafting four picks earlier makes a difference. Let’s say Atlanta does the right thing and drafts Luka Doncic with the 3rd pick. With Doncic on the roster, the team has secured their future starting two-guard, but there is room to improve elsewhere on a roster that finished last in the Eastern Conference in 2017-18.
A few names that have been reported if the Hawks trade for the 15th pick include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Miles Bridges, Kevin Knox and Collin Sexton. Each player has the ability to help push the Hawks forward.
In addition to possibly trading multiple picks, it has been rumored that the Hawks will try to trade Dennis Schröder and Kent Bazemore, according to Bleacher Report.
Let’s delve into a few of the players who might be available if the Hawks were to trade for the 15th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.