Atlanta Hawks: Mock Draft After 30 Games, Zion Williamson Incoming?

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Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

#1 Overall: Zion Williamson

The three best players in this draft all play for Duke University. The preseason consensus was that the Canadian R.J. Barrett was the best player in the class, despite what Instagram might tell us.

Well, it turns out that social media was correct on this one, as viral sensation Zion Williamson looks to be a generational talent – a transcendent player the likes of which hasn’t been seen since LeBron James.

If the Atlanta Hawks are somehow able to retain the worst overall record in the league this season, they will have a chance to completely reverse their fortunes over the past couple seasons.

Even though the team made 10 straight playoff appearances with some solid draft picks (Al Horford, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams spring to mind), the Hawks have rarely had players that could be deemed among the Top 5 in the NBA.

If Williamson pans out, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the Hawks would have a franchise cornerstone to build around for years to come as well as one of those coveted superstars that all teams are angling to obtain via the draft, trade or free agency.

Combining Williamson with the core of Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter would create a fascinating group of young players that would be fun to watch and eminently interesting as a hypothetical unit. That core four would also feature incredible athleticism, incredible rim-running and the potential for switchability and dynamic transition play.

Williamson’s stats are insane, and he’s currently anchoring a Duke team that is 1st in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency margin by more than 4 points. Zion is leading the country in Player Efficiency Rating with a bonkers 42.0 and his Box Plus/Minus of 20.2 is also first in the country.

Though those stats are great, where he really stars is via the eye test, where his insane speed and superhuman leaping ability make any Duke game a must-watch event:

Look at those highlights, and then imagine Zion playing for the Hawks for the next 7-8 years (or more). Am I the only one who just got goosebumps?