Atlanta Hawks: The Case for Kira Lewis, Jr to be Trae Young’s Backup

Taking a look at Atlanta Hawks draft prospect Kira Lewis Jr.

Mirror mirror on the wall, could Kira Lewis be – the best Atlanta Hawks prospect of them all?

If you’re looking for a MotorSport speed-cat to backup Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young  (for the future and culture) ? Then, you best slow down and peep under the hood of Kira Lewis, Jr. – his engine is crunk and ready to go.

Does Travis Schlenk have another switcheroo up his sleeve for the 2020 NBA Draft night trade machine?  Does he go back to the rock pile and gather more stones to build his castle?  If so, I hope the GM stops and take a hard look at Kira Lewis.

Do it Travis  –   Swap that Pick!   Swap that Pick!

An Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns pick-swap from, No.6 pick down to No. 10 pick + Kelly Oubre, Jr.  I’ll let the real GM’s iron out their three team’s (OKC, ATL and PHX) franchise gains. However, that would be a Draft Trilogy for the Atlanta Hawks franchise and put an end to this Georgia lottery train ride.

My first impression of Kira Lewis’s game play was former Atlanta Hawks point guard Dennis Schröder.  Due to Kira’s defensive awareness, nifty handles, playing style, foot-speed, and crafty finishes around the basket. Then, I watched this video and that was the player comparison as well, so…

Sorry Dennis, but this kid has a higher-motor and another gear – Kira’s foot speed is more like DeAaron Fox when you sit back and watch:

Based on this recent tweet from Ian Begley,  Kira Lewis might be going to the Suns with their own No. 10th pick.  If they do that, Chris Paul may be headed elsewhere, perhaps the Lakers or the Clippers.

The Phoenix Suns may be a lynchpin of sorts to an avalanche of free agency activity.  Look, I am not saying that the whole world is waiting to see what happens with Chris Paul before making moves, it’s more. The Phoenix Suns seem to be aggressive to get something done now and soon.

After a strong showing in the playoffs bubble, The Suns feel like they’ve got something going, and it’s go-time for them as a franchise – to make some real noise.

I’m just hopeful today that Travis Schlenk can pluck off Kelly Oubre from the Suns while they’re still high on helium!  That, plus the No. 10th pick, is where I think Kira Lewis, Jr will hear Adam Silver – “Say – his – Name!”

But what if James Jones, GM of Phoenix, does not want to play ball with Travis Schlenk, GM?  The Atlanta Hawks can always swing for the fences, pick Kira Lewis at No. 6, and still pursue Kelly because either way, Oubre is on the move.

Below, is a great opportunity to see Kira Lewis in action versus a lauded local kid from Georgia, Anthony “Ant-Man” Edwards;

As you can see here, Kira Lewis has complete control of this game and appears to execute his coach’s game plan as if – the basketball is his personal Joy-Stick. [Game Controller that is].

Conversely, Anthony Edwards’s body language says, “Look, Mamma – I made it!”  (RIP)  

“When Edwards was in the eighth grade, his mother, Yvette, and his grandmother, Shirley, both died of cancer within eight months. “Losing my mom was really tough because I used to sleep with her a lot.”  – Home cooking: Top NBA prospect Anthony Edwards living out dream at Georgia.

Now, I don’t know if Ant-Man is resting on his laurels in that video or just not engaged but, one could question his motor and defensive awareness on a few of those plays. In the NBA, I hope he plays great – for his Mamma.  Off-topic there, I couldn’t leave Anthony Edwards hanging.

Wrapping up the case for Kira Lewis, Jr being the perfect backup for Trae Young is simple;

Kira’s Strengths:  Speed, Shot Creation, Playmaking, On-Ball Defense, and Ball Handling

He seems to be a game manager who makes good decisions with the ball based on what we saw in his scouting video above.

His overall performance summaries are likewise impressive on the Conference Per 100 Posessions  sports- reference table.

2018-19 SEC All-Freshman
2019-20 All-SEC – 1st Team

I believe I have made a robust case for the Atlanta Hawks to consider Kira lewis, Jr in the 2020 NBA Draft. If Kira Lewis is who I think he is?  It’s a checkered flag, and we can drop the mike on – Trae Young’s backup.

Should the Atlanta Hawks target Kira Lewis Jr?