Soaring Down South
Fansided

Redoing the Past Eight Atlanta Hawks’ Draft Picks

By Dallin Duffy

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Luka Doncic poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Luka Doncic poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 31: Malcolm Brogdon #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball as Fred VanVleet #23 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors defend during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 31, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

2016 NBA Draft

Round one, pick 12:

Original Pick: Taurean Prince, SF, Baylor

New Pick: Pascal Siakam, PF, New Mexico State

Taurean Prince was alright for the Hawks, showed a glimpse of star potential during the ’17-’18 season. He’s failed to improve much since then, however, while Pascal Siakam has improved rapidly since being drafted 27th by Toronto.

He won Most Improved Player a season ago, helping the Raptors win their first title, and this year made (and started) his first All-Star Game. Before the season was suspended he was averaging 23.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for Toronto.

Taurean Prince ended up being a nice trade piece for Atlanta, who got two first-round picks from Brooklyn for him, using those to move up in last year’s draft and to land Clint Capela this year.

Siakam likely would have not been traded, however, and even with the Hawks’ young core, Siakam could be leading them to the playoffs currently.

Round one, pick 21:

Original Pick: DeAndre’ Bembry, SF, Saint Joseph’s

New Pick: Malcolm Brogdon, PG, Virginia

Malcolm shocked everyone in 2017, becoming the first second-rounder to ever win Rookie of the Year. Part of that was due to a ho-hum draft class, but Brogdon was also very good for a young Bucks team.

He hasn’t broken out to be an All-Star or anything, but he’s been a consistently good player who’s currently in the middle of his best season, now with the Pacers.

Bembry has been ‘fine’ with the Hawks and has at least showed effort on the defensive end. His offensive woes outweigh those, however, and with the drafting of Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter, I have a hard time seeing the Hawks re-sign him in restricted free agency this summer.

Round two, pick 44:

Original Pick: Isaïa Cordinier, G, France

New Pick: Fred VanVleet, PG, Wichita State

Fred VanVleet famously turned down two offers to be drafted to go undrafted and play for the Raptors, but maybe the Hawks could have convinced him here. He’s slowly transformed into a near-elite scorer and has always had a nice court vision for assists.

The Hawks instead drafted Cordinier, who has yet to play in the league. His draft rights were traded along with a second-round pick to the Nets for Jeremy Lin, and the Nets have held onto them. He’s still just 24 so perhaps one day we’ll see him.