Atlanta Hawks NBA Draft: 5 players to avoid with the 20th pick

Our Atlanta Hawks offseason coverage is in full gear, with much of it going to the NBA Draft on July 29th. We went over several names Hawks fans should pay attention to as the draft draws closer. We mentioned a scrappy, champion backup point guard option, a rangy wing to add to an already impressive Atlanta collection, and more.

Now, though, we go the other way and focus on the players the Hawks should absolutely avoid drafting with their first-round pick, 20th overall.

This isn’t a list of players they shouldn’t have any interest in. Rather, it will strictly view the players through the lens of being the 20th pick on a team that reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Not just any addition will do.

Travis Schlenk has spoken of the importance of building through the draft and his track record — both with the Hawks and Golden State Warriors — speaks for itself. That has left Atlanta with very few holes, but also specific needs. Combine that with heightened expectations ahead of next season and it can almost work to limit a team’s options in the draft.

Drafting for need can see teams pass on diamonds in the rough in the name of being safe. But, thinking you can simply go best player available can leave you weak in an important area.

That is the gray the Hawks have to operate in. So while they may have even expressed the kind of players they’re looking for, having that player be available, and valuable, by the time they are on the clock are all separate things.

The Atlanta Hawks can afford to be a little more selective when they’re on the clock in the draft

With all of that being said, let’s take a look at some names Hawks fans should all be hoping aren’t called when Atlanta turns in their selection. Again, these could be players they should show interest in later in the draft (we call that foreshadowing) but not where they are currently slated to pick.

Don’t be fooled, this list definitely contains big, play-making guards, wide-bodied big men, and more players with traits that fit what the Hawks could use.

But that, friends, is only part of the equation.