Who does ESPN have the Atlanta Hawks taking at the 16 pick?

The Atlanta Hawks have fallen just outside the lottery meaning that they will pick with the 16th selection in the 2022 NBA draft. Selecting in the middle of the first round means you have to react to what other teams do, they may take the player you have had your eye on.

The Hawks have been linked to several players in the draft already including Johnny Davis as well as Tari Eason who is a true high-energy prospect. However, Jonathon Givony of ESPN believes that the Hawks should go in a different direction.

There are most probably going to make some sweeping changes to their roster. However, one role that they look unlikely to be able to fill easily in free agency is the backup point guard position. According to Givony, the Hawks should select TyTy Washington.

Why the Atlanta Hawks should select TyTy Washington in the first round.

The Hawks took a backup point guard right near the end of the second round in the 2021 NBA draft. Unfortunately for the Hawks, while Sharife Cooper developed as we hoped that he would, he did not appear to be NBA ready as a lot of the supporter base hoped.

This is where the Hawks need to make the right call with their current mid-first-round pick. Ty Ty Washington is a combo guard out of Kentucky who has the ability to create his own shot as well as create for others when he is in charge of the offense.

Washington is able to play off the ball given that he has a high basketball IQ. He also can shoot well from the perimeter and will have the ability to play the pick and roll which is the staple of the Hawks’ offense.

It is going to be very hard for a mid-first-round pick to break into the Hawks rotation but if anyone can do it Washington has the size and skillset.