2019 NBA Draft: Full Atlanta Hawks Mock Draft If Team Trades Up to #5 Overall

First up is the crown jewel of this potential trade-up for the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft. After giving up three 2019 NBA Draft picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers in order to nab the #5 overall pick in the draft, the Atlanta Hawks will be able to nab a high-upside, brilliant college performer in the form of Jarrett Culver out of Texas Tech.

Culver led his Red Raiders all the way to the National Championship game, where they were defeated by the team of destiny, the Virginia Cavaliers. Still though, Culver acquitted himself well throughout the tournament and throughout the season – being named the Big 12 Player of the Year in his sophomore season.

Culver was an absolute juggernaut on the defensive end, and though he was listed at 6-foot-5 throughout his sophomore year, he was actually closer to 6-foot-7 in shoes with a good wingspan and excellent frame that lends itself to tacking on more muscle as his career progresses.

A prodigious foul-drawer (6.1 fouls drawn per 40 minutes per KenPom) with the ability to spray the ball around on offense while also attacking the rim at a tremendous rate, Culver’s main goal on the Atlanta Hawks in the short-term would be as an off-ball threat alongside Trae Young who could help smooth out the former’s rough-hewn edges on the less glamorous end.

Culver piloted Texas Tech to the #1 ranked defensive per KenPom, and though his own raw production numbers (steals and blocks) weren’t sky-high, Culver has tremendous feel on that side that would greatly benefit the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Though trading up isn’t necessarily the best thing for the Hawks, Culver is one of the few players (that will actually be available) worth trading up for this year.