2019 NBA Draft: Exploring All 6 Atlanta Hawks Picks After Nets Trade

Though this selection might register as “carb on carb” (seeing as its yet another big man), with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks will have the option to select Grant Williams out of Tennessee.

A savant-level offensive and defensive player with limited lateral quickness, Williams is widely expected to fall fairly far in the 2019 NBA Draft, so selecting him at 10th overall will likely be regarded as something of a reach – especially with plenty of smoke surrounding the Hawks taking Cam Reddish somewhere in the lottery.

Despite a glaring need for someone to play the three now that Taurean Prince is no longer on the team, Williams qualifies as a ceiling-raiser for this young Atlanta Hawks squad while also bringing proven collegiate production to the team as a two-time SEC Player of the Year.

Even though Williams is coming off of his junior season, he won’t 21 until November 30, meaning he firmly fits into the Atlanta Hawks’ youth-oriented purview of player selection in the NBA draft.

Yet another tremendous defender, Williams’s immense basketball IQ lends itself to him being a terrific help defender. Who is also incredibly strong, which would combine well with the high-flying exploits of Brandon Clarke and John Collins – who rely more on verticality and touch to finish around the rim.

Per Bart Torvik, drafting Williams would give the Hawks yet another good rim finisher, as he shot 72.2 percent around the rim on 37.2 percent of his shots. Williams is also an amazing foul-drawer, who shot 81.9 percent from the line on 7 attempts per game during his junior year.

Combined with Trae Young, Williams and the Atlanta Hawks would be living at the free throw line for easy points.