2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 3.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #8 & #10 After Lottery
By Chris Guest
#10. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas Mavericks) — Jaxson Hayes
Jaxson Hayes out of Texas was commonly linked to the Atlanta Hawks in the late lottery, and while a few selections could be made here, Hayes really makes the most sense as a high-upside gamble who fills a position of need in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Hayes had a massive growth spurt in high school, which saw his football plans shifted to basketball at a very late age. However, as a wide receiver in high school, Hayes is adept at finishing around the rim and his massive hands allow him to clean up plenty of misses and nab loads of lobs around the rim.
On offense, that’s sadly about all Hayes does. Hayes will likely be tasked with setting a lot of screens for the Atlanta Hawks alongside generational passer Trae Young – which as an area in which Hayes needs to surely improve.
However, on defense, Hayes was an impactful rim protector as his exceptional block rate would indicate. Hayes is fairly thin at this juncture in terms of his frame, but with some more meat on his bones, that exceptional block rate and ineffectual screens should both improve considerably.
Though the fit of Hayes alongside John Collins might not be ideal – if Hayes can learn to either ably defend out on the perimeter or hit a three-pointer, that issue will take care of itself.
With two top 10 picks in the 2019 NBA Draft thanks the Luka Doncic trade in the 2018 draft, the Atlanta Hawks can get exploratory in the late lottery. We shall see what they prioritize when the time comes.