Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks NBA Draft: 3 prospects worth trading up for

By Joshua Buckhalter

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: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks prospect worth trading up for No. 1: Adding Evan Mobley’s unique profile would be worth the cost to take him

We may very well be in the midst of a big man resurgence of sorts in the NBA. But it’s not with the old-school bruisers as it once was. The kind that got phased out of the game, almost completely. Instead, it’s been big men with guards skills; outside touch, mobility, or both. Some have done so while also maintaining a defensive presence.

Evan Mobley has the latter skillset and is the kind of potential-laden prospect you swing for the fences to obtain.

A true 7-footer, Mobley averaged 16.4 points and grabbed 8.7 rebounds per game for USC last season. He showcased his versatility by chipping in 2.4 assists but the hook was his 2.9 blocks per game.

In two Pac-12 Tournament games, Mobley averaged 26.0 points, 9.0 boards, and a whopping 5.0 blocks. He had six games with at least five blocks and three games with six blocks last season.

He came down to Earth as a scorer during the NCAA Tournament as USC made a run to the Elite 8 with 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. But he dished out 4.0 assists and still managed a healthy 2.0 blocks.

Two of the three oldest players on the roster reside in the frontcourt. Danilo Gallinari (32) and Clint Capela (27) — with their nearly $40 million in combined cap hits next season — aren’t “old” nor have they failed to live up to their contract. Those are the typical reasons you see teams move on from useful vets.

But with their young core all coming up on contract years, Atlanta could retain more of their own talent as opposed to overpaying a veteran at the end of their deal.

Trading up high enough to get Mobley would likely cost a sum that would likely make Hawks brass uneasy though.