2019 NBA Draft: Multiple Players Could Fall to #17 for Atlanta Hawks

A swift look at some top-tier talents that might fall to the Atlanta Hawks at #17 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Beyond the top 3 picks in the 2019 NBA Draft, there seems to be little consensus on the best prospects or what each team in the lottery values with their first round selection. One such team that boasts not one, not two but an impressive three top 20 picks in this draft is the Atlanta Hawks.

After pulling off a surprising trade with the Brooklyn Nets last week that swapped Taurean Prince for Allen Crabbe with multiple draft picks involved, the Hawks ended up with the #17 overall pick as well as a lottery-protected selection in 2020.

However, for this piece, the focus will be that rather nifty #17 overall pick. Though not quite in the sweet spot of #19 overall that Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk has employed to massive success in the previous two drafts (John Collins in 2017, Kevin Huerter in 2018), #17 in the 2019 NBA Draft might have even more upside to it.

Here’s a short list of players that might fall that far if the draft board plays the right way for the Hawks: Rui Hachimura, Nassir Little, Goga Bitadze, Romeo Langford, Bol Bol, Kevin Porter and Grant Williams.

We have previously covered the majority of these players in some capacity, such as reasons for the Hawks to draft Langford out of Indiana despite a down year with the Hoosiers or reasons to reach for Grant Williams at #10 overall. With the 17th pick, that might not be necessary.

Depending on what teams above the Hawks do, high-upside players such as Nassir Little, Bol Bol and Kevin Porter might all be available at 17 – and obtaining one of them so low in the draft could only be deemed a ringing success.

Beyond that, Goga Bitadze, who might be the best international prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft class, might also fall to 17 – allowing for potential draft-and-stash machinations or the inclusion of an immediately impactful sweet-shooting, rim-protecting big man from Georgia (the country, not the university).

This is going to be a terrifically important (as well as interesting) draft for the Atlanta Hawks. With over a week to go until draft day, stay tuned to Soaring Down South for plenty more coverage.