Soaring Down South
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks prospect worth trading up for No. 3: The Hawks could use Keon Johnson’s defense at the point

Keon Johnson of Tennesee has a wide range of possible draft outcomes. Some mocks have him going inside the top-10 while others have him just a few picks ahead of where the Hawks are set to pick at 20th overall. If Johnson does indeed slip outside the top 10, but especially if he were to make it out of the lottery is worth chasing.

More from Draft

Johnson averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists for the Volunteers last season. He stepped up his play in SEC and NCAA Tournament play, going 15.7/8.0/3.0, though, his offense isn’t where Johnson’s appeal lies.

He had 1.1 steals per game during the season (2.0 during tournament play) and is still developing physically at 19 years old. His mid-range is also very solid for his age.

It is Johnson’s inefficiency that is the biggest concern in the NBA. He shot 44.9 percent from the flor and just 27.1 percent from beyond the arc. Even more worrisome is his 70.3 percent mark at the free-throw line.

https://twitter.com/NBADraft/status/1408532188900081690?s=19

Showing well in his team’s biggest games will play well with coaches and teammates and his effort on the defensive end will more than make him a useable asset while his shot develops.

The second-oldest player on the Hawks, Bogdan Bogdanovic is, again not really old — he just turned 28 — pr a bad player. In fact, he was quite instrumental for them. But he is rather expensive. He’s due $18 million next season and has another $36 million coming to him after that.

A player option in the final year entitles him to the final $18 million. It’s hard to see anyone passing on that kind of money.

dark. Next. Atlanta Hawks: 3 backup point guards to avoid in free agency

If “resetting the clock” is the goal, re-invest in your own draft picks and get ready to move on from pricey vets. And if a team that made the Eastern Conference Finals is going to trade up for a draft prospect, it should be for a difference-maker.