An in-depth look at how the Atlanta Hawks might pick in the 2019 NBA Draft with all six of their picks – including the #17 overall selection from the Taurean Prince trade.
The Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets pulled off a surprising trade involving Taurean Prince on Thursday that puts both teams’ plans into stark perspective – the Hawks are looking to build organically through the 2019 NBA Draft and beyond, and the Brooklyn Nets are positioning themselves as a premier free agent destination for Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and more.
On the Atlanta Hawks side of the equation, this was yet another tremendous trade for General Manager Travis Schlenk, who has become adept at the “salary dump” trade in order to accrue draft assets. This is the third straight offseason in which the Hawks and Schlenk have produced a deal like this.
In 2017, it was with the LA Clippers and (former Hawk) Jamal Crawford. Then, famously, in 2018, it was the famed Dennis Schröder/Carmelo Anthony swap, which was a double whammy of getting off Schröd’s salary while nabbing a future draft pick.
Now, with the Nets trade, the Hawks have a whopping total of six draft picks in the 2019 NBA Draft at #8 overall, #10, #17, #35, #41 and #44. Though it seems unlikely that all of those selections will be made by the team, let’s dig into possible selections the Atlanta Hawks could make at each draft spot.