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

#52 Overall: Sagabe Konate (via Lakers)

Though potentially undersized for the NBA as a big man at 6-foot-7½, Sagaba Konate has preternatural defensive instincts that would be immediately beneficial to the Atlanta Hawks – an area in which they’ve struggled mightily throughout the course of the 2018-19 season.

Konate is a talented shot-blocker and is able to use his hulking frame and great instincts to erase shots at the rim at an elite level. Similarly, his rebounding rates are excellent, which should also buoy the Hawks on the defensive end.

Konate was 1st in the country last season in block rate at 15.6 percent, and he has only fallen to 8th so far this season at 12.2 percent. Perhaps that number has fallen because he’s doing much more on the offensive end to the tune of a 27.3 percent usage rate, as well as a newfound three-point stroke (perhaps to improve his draft stock).

If that’s the reason he’s shooting more, it’s working, as he is shooting 39.1 percent from downtown on 9 of 23 attempts.

If he can score a bit more efficiently around the basket (currently 43.5 percent from the field), his three-point jumper remains solid and his block rates return to the league-leading numbers of last year, Konate would be a steal for the Atlanta Hawks in the latter stages of the second round.

Though a lot can change from now to June, these players will likely remain on our radar here for the long haul along with many more. Keep it locked to Soaring Down South for plenty of NBA Draft news and hubbub as the Atlanta Hawks season progresses.

All statistics courtesy of Sports Reference/CBB, current as of 12-20-18.