The Atlanta Hawks will have three picks in the second round in the 2019 NBA Draft. Just what will they do with them?
Though most of the coverage of the NBA Draft around this time is focused on the lottery prospects, not unsurprisingly, the Atlanta Hawks are replete with draft picks in the 2019 NBA Draft.
With the Dallas Mavericks’ pick in their coffers courtesy of the Luka Doncic trade during the 2018 NBA Draft as well as their own first round pick (which has the 5th-best odds in the lottery attached to it) as well as a trio of second-round selections, the Hawks are truly sitting pretty to help further the team’s rebuild and maybe even push them into low-tier playoff contender next season.
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Though numerous factors go into that potentiality, the use of second-round picks can truly help push the Hawks to an elite level by accruing value with later picks.
Just look at the Denver Nuggets, who are the #2 seed in the West and currently have three players in the rotation that were drafted in the second round. Most notable of the bunch is Nikola Jokic, who was taken 41st overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, though Will Barton (40th overall in 2012 by Portland) and Monte Morris (51st overall in 2017) were also high-value selections.
With picks number 35, 41 and 44 in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft (and perhaps more if they make a suggested trade for Frank Ntilikina), the Atlanta Hawks will have a myriad of options to better their team in the latter half of the draft. Unheralded prospects such as Neemias Queta, Josh Reaves, John Konchar and DaQuan Jeffries would be smart, high-upside plays in the second round to help bolster the team going forward.
Beyond that, Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk could truly think outside the box by selecting Division II players such as Daulton Hommes or Amir Hinton or by taking a swing on an unheralded international talent such as Joshua Obiesie of Germany, Yovel Zoosman of Israel or Arturs Zagars of Latvia.
No matter what the Atlanta Hawks do in the 2019 NBA Draft, you know Soaring Down South has you covered for all the news and updates you’re looking for. Stay tuned – the NBA draft lottery is only two and a half weeks away!