Soaring Down South
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3 Best Atlanta Hawks Drafted By Another Team

By Dallin Duffy

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 27: Paul Millsap #4 of the Atlanta Hawks in action against Joe Johnson #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during game four in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 27, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets defeated the Hawks 120-115. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 27: Paul Millsap #4 of the Atlanta Hawks in action against Joe Johnson #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during game four in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 27, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets defeated the Hawks 120-115. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: The Atlanta Hawks’ Dikembe Mutombo (R) complains to referee Dick Bavetta (L) after a foul call went against Atlanta with less than a minute left in the game 22 November at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. The Pistons beat the Hawks 87-85. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

# 2 – Dikembe Mutombo

While Millsap left Atlanta to join the Nuggets, Dikembe Mutombo left Denver to join the Hawks. The Nuggets let Mutombo walk in 1996, just five years after the team selected him fourth overall.

Atlanta was able to scoop the future Hall-of-Famer up in free agency, and the 7’2 center spent his prime in the ATL.

Mutombo and Steve Smith helped form the team back into a real playoff threat for the first time since Dominique Wilkins left, winning 56 games in his first year.

Mostly known for his shot-blocking, Mutombo also led the league in rebounds per game in two seasons while in Atlanta and is the Hawks’ all-time leader in defensive rating. Two of his four Defensive Player of the Year awards were won as a Hawk.

Mutombo made the All-Star team in each of his years with the team (minus 1999, when there was no All-Star weekend thanks to a lock-out), averaging a double-double in his five years with the team.

Just like Millsap, the Hawks’ roster began getting really young around the time Mutombo was set to leave, and the team traded him to the 76ers in 2001, with Mutombo being Allen Iverson‘s right-hand man during their Finals run.

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