Atlanta Hawks: Forget Trading Down, What About Trading Up in 2019 NBA Draft?
By Chris Guest
A look at why trading two second round picks to move up in the 2019 NBA Draft is an excellent option for the Atlanta Hawks.
Though we’ve previously delved into the idea that the Atlanta Hawks trading down in the 2019 NBA Draft makes perfect sense, what about the inverse? Could trading up in the draft be an option for Atlanta?
While trading down is clearly an attractive option for the team, trading up with the team’s second round selections could also work. General Manager Travis Schlenk has already proven his willingness to deal second rounders, as last year’s trade of #34 overall for future picks conveyed.
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So what teams could Atlanta focus on in order to nab a first-rounder for two second-rounders? It’s an interesting question. Of course, the Boston Celtics spring to mind, as they are the only team in the NBA with three first round picks in the 2019 NBA Draft.
However, it seems likely that Danny Ainge wants to keep his powder dry for a potential Anthony Davis trade and those picks will likely be his most important ballast.
Beyond that, three teams (other than the Atlanta Hawks) have two first round draft picks. One of them, the Cleveland Cavaliers, will likely be unable to grow their team much beyond the draft, so it seems unlikely that they would trade their 26th overall pick (which they received via the Rockets).
That leaves the Nets and Spurs with their latter second round picks (27 and 29, respectively). Could the Atlanta Hawks give up the 41st and 44th pick for either of those first rounders in the 2019 NBA Draft?
It’s hard to know the value of draft picks at any given time, but, for the most part, late first round selections and early second round selections are generally though of as being on the same plane of value.
Everything depends upon how Schlenk and his scouting staff value various players. If they believe that packaging second round picks to move up makes sense in order to guarantee drafting “their guy” in the first round, then the team should make that happen.
Next. Reasonable Trades for Picks #8 & #10. dark
No matter what, the 2019 NBA Draft will be extremely entertaining for the Atlanta Hawks – and all teams – as various transactions take place surrounding the highly coveted 60 picks.