Atlanta Hawks NBA Draft: 3 prospects worth trading up for

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Evan Mobley #4 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports

It seems like the Atlanta Hawks are “discussing”  trading for someone else’s draft pick or disgruntled superstar. We’ve wondered about the feasibility of a trade up into the top 10 ourselves. But most times, the targets or motivations for the trade don’t line up with what the Hawks have stated or what their roster on paper would suggest they need.

So, instead of fighting the rumors, let’s have some fun with them. What, or rather who would it take for the Hawks to get aggressive in the draft?

Does such a prospect even exist in a class largely viewed as sketchy outside of the top three?

It’s not as if there aren’t any holes or at least weaker spots on this roster, though not as many as most teams given their playoff run. But some tweaks will be needed. Whether it’s into the top three, the top 10, or just the lottery in general, there are several prospects who could be worth it.

If the Atlanta Hawks make a move up in the NBA Draft, it should be for one of these prospects

Atlanta could use a backup point guard. But would they be better served with a veteran instead? Prospect evaluator and former Detroit Mercy Titans standout point guard Rashad Phillips thinks so. He also offered up a few suggestions for who the Hawks should be targeting in the draft mentioning Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, LSU’s Cameron Thomas, and Usman Garuba.

That’s a fine list, but none of those guys would warrant moving up like we’ve been hearing; not that he was suggesting to.

We’ve got three guys who would be worthy of the draft and (potentially) player capital it would take to go get them. All are expected to go in three different stages of the draft, but all before the Hawks current pick at 20th overall.