Grading All 3 Atlanta Hawks Picks in the 2019 NBA Draft

An in-depth look at the Atlanta Hawks three picks in the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Atlanta Hawks entered this week with a whopping six picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. By the time the night was over, the Atlanta Hawks had only made three selections at #4, #10 and #34 – two of which the team did not own the rights to when the night began.

Draft night started off with a bang for the Atlanta Hawks, as the team immediately made headlines before the draft even began by trading up with the New Orleans Pelicans in order to obtain the #4 overall pick to select De’Andre Hunter.

Then, using the #10 pick acquired from the Dallas Mavericks last year in the landmark Luka Doncic/Trae Young trade, the team selected Cam Reddish – a popular choice among Atlanta Hawks fans online to be sure.

After that, it seemed as if Hawks General Manager Travis Schlenk would have to wait a while before he selected again as the team nabbed the #57 overall pick from New Orleans in the previous trade for #4.

Instead, Schlenk went to work again, and traded up using future second round picks to nab the #34 overall pick so the team could select Bruno Fernando.

That’s quite a haul for the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft, and honestly all three picks are extremely good choices in their own way. Read on to explore our grades for each of this picks.

Starting off is the selection of De’Andre Hunter out of Virginia with the #4 overall pick.

Though this writer had previously extolled the virtues of standing pat with picks #8 and #10, trading up for De’Andre Hunter is a pretty darn good compromise. Hunter is hands-down the best perimeter defender in this class, and though he somewhat lacks explosive athleticism, his functional athleticism is what truly makes him “pop.”

One need only take a gander at his brilliant play in the NCAA Title game as a member of the Virginia Cavaliers to see how impactful Hunter can be on any given night, especially considering Hunter shut down this year’s #6 overall pick Jarrett Culver in that game.

Also, it must be noted that Hunter was injured during Virginia’s tournament run in which they became the first #1 seed ever to be defeated by a #16 seed (so he doesn’t have that ignominy on his resume).

In terms of the on-court fit with the Atlanta Hawks, it couldn’t be better for Hunter.

The Hawks need a defensive wing stopper, and they got it in Hunter. Of course, we know that Travis Schlenk loves shooting, and Hunter also fills that role for the team in the 2019 NBA Draft.

He might not have the highest upside, but this was a tremendous choice for the Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Grade: A

Next up on the evening was the Atlanta Hawks taking fan favorite Cam Reddish with the #10 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Hawks, as a franchise, rarely get name recognition among casual sports fans, but now with both Hunter, Reddish and Trae Young on the team, that might be about to change. Reddish was a part of one of the biggest stories in sports throughout the college basketball season as he played alongside his teammates Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett.

Reddish was totally overshadowed in his lone season at Duke, which meant his stock had slipped slightly – allowing the Hawks to scoop up a high-upside play in Reddish later on in the lottery.

While Atlanta Hawks fans were all in on this pick (video evidence below), some pundits didn’t immediately embrace this selection for the team.

However, anyone who watched any amount of Duke games last year could clearly see that Reddish has innate talent, and it seems likely that the terrific development staff the Atlanta Hawks have will be able to instill in him values that will allow him to tap into that potential year-to-year.

For one thing, Reddish won’t be tasked with doing too much, as the Atlanta Hawks already have an offensive fulcrum in place with Trae Young manning the point guard spot. Reddish will simply need to bring the energy on defense and spot up for three-pointers.

Sounds good, right?

Grade: A-

Last but not least on 2019 NBA Draft night was the Atlanta Hawks less-than-surprising move of trading up in the second round to nab Bruno Fernando with the #34 pick.

Atlanta Hawks GM Travis Schlenk had been adamant that the team would be looking to shift all over the board, which meant that a trade-up in the second round made perfect sense for a team that was looking for upside and fit all over the board.

Clearly, the Hawks were high on Fernando, and you really can’t blame them. One glimpse of Fernando’s chiseled frame and immense heft, and one would be forgiven for thinking he’s been playing in the league for years already.

Thankfully, that is not the case, which means the Hawk can bring in this 20-year-old rookie much like they did with his former teammate Kevin Huerter last year. With three Maryland products on the Hawks roster now (Alex Len being the third), perhaps Hawks and Terrapins get along better than anyone would’ve anticipated.

In terms of on-court fit, Fernando is a multi-faceted big man threat on offense who has the size and versatility to play a number of roles. It’s going to be fun to watch him work alongside gifted operators like Trae, Huerter and John Collins.

Grade: A

Sorry to be a bit rosy on these, but all three picks the Atlanta Hawks made honestly felt like terrific choices. Stay tuned for plenty more coverage and reaction to the Atlanta Hawks picks in the 2019 NBA Draft.