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Atlanta Hawks: 5 best non-lottery first-round picks in team history

By Joshua Buckhalter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 24: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks protests after being called for a foul against the Indiana Pacers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 24: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks protests after being called for a foul against the Indiana Pacers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks best non-lottery first-round pick No. 3: Dennis Schroder’s tenure didn’t end well

Dennis Schroder was the first of two point guards the Hawks took in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft, picking him one spot ahead of Shane Larkin. The latter is not on this list and ended up traded on draft night for big man Lucas Noguiera.

Schroder’s spot is well earned.

He was a surprise pick. The Hawks had a young incumbent point guard they presumably liked. But the notion was that the German guard would stay abroad for a year to refine his skills. Instead, he came over right away — billed as a defensive specialist no less — and paired with the incumbent, Jeff Teague, learning on an NBA bench.

For his part, Schroder averaged 10.5 points and 4.2 assists with 2.3 rebounds over his second and third seasons. Years four and five saw his scoring rise to 17.9 points per game in 2017 and 19.4 in 2018.

Atlanta made the playoffs in each of his first four seasons, but was bounced earlier and earlier after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2015.

Heading for the rebuild that set them on their current path, Schroder was dealt after the 2018 season for a package that included Hawks legend Carmelo Anthony. The mercurial Schroder rebuilt his sullied reputation in Oklahoma City for two seasons before trying to win a ring with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers last season to no avail.

This year, he’ll come off of the bench for the Boston Celtics before trying to recoup some lost money next offseason.

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