With the Atlanta Hawks out of the playoffs, attention turns to the 2021 NBA Draft, set to take place later this month. That means getting familiar with the incoming class of rookies. It is a bit odd after last season’s condensed timeline saw the draft take place last November. Regardless, it’s time for teams to add to their cores.
That applied to the Hawks, who fell short of the NBA Finals by just two games. Good luck convincing anyone in the building or fanbase that, with a few things breaking the other way, it would be them fighting for the Larry O’Brien.
The loss exposed some areas that need to be strengthened if they want to reach the NBA Finals next season. The next avenue the Hawks have at fixing the issue is via the draft.
Selecting 20th overall does make evaluating talent a little more challenging.
Things are far more fluid at that point in the draft as the difference between taking the “best player available” and “drafting for need” becomes more pronounced. Some teams might be looking for a player ready to contribute right away so you often see more three and four-year players taken in this area.
On the other hand, this is also where projects with more warts than others, but still possessing elite traits, get drafted.
There haven’t been any stars taken in this slot. But there have been several key role players. The most notable player taken 20th overall since 2000 is Jameer Nelson, former point guard for the Dwight Howard-led Orlando Magic and Denver Nuggets.
The Atlanta Hawks still have plenty of options despite being in the back half of the NBA Draft
More recently, Matisse Thybulle of the Philadelphia 76ers and Caris Levert of the Indiana Pacers before him have both been critical components to their teams.
When you go beyond 20th overall, though, there are more decorated names.
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, was taken 27th overall, as was the 2019 Most Improved Player, Pascal Siakam. Bobby Portis, who the Hawks just faced with the Bucks, was taken with the 22nd pick, while Atlanta big man Clint Capela was taken with the 25th.
So who are the prospects worth keeping an eye on in the 2021 NBA Draft?