So we all remember the 2016 NBA draft. It was the race in two for the No. 1 pick with Ben Simmons winning. The Atlanta Hawks only had pick No. 21 in the first round and they used that pick on the defensive dynamo, DeAndre’ Bembry.
They were not finished there however, they also went to work a bit after the draft, trading with the Utah Jazz to land Taurean Prince. In a neat twist of fate, the 2016 draft has given the Hawks a few players that have helped them out over the last couple of seasons.
Last season Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot survived all of the roster cutdowns in order to make the squad. He performed as well as can be expected for a 15th man but did not do enough to be considered for a spot on this season’s roster. The other player who the Hawks have dealt with in the first round is Dejounte Murray who is set to have a huge impact on this team.
So who does Bleacher Report suggest the Atlanta Hawks take in the redraft?
Well, instead of Bembry, who Bleacher Report would have left undrafted, they believe that Juancho Hernangómez is the man that the Hawks should have taken. The 6’9 power forward out of Spain was originally taken with the 15th pick by the Denver Nuggets.
Throughout his career, Hernangomez has only averaged 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in just 15.7 minutes per game. While these numbers are not eye-catching, he is a solid floor-spacing big man who could do big things in the right system.
However, unfortunately, Hernangomez has not had his Bo Cruz moment in the NBA yet. He is still a solid prospect but just has not broken out into the player that many front offices hope that he can become.
So, should the Hawks have chosen Hernangomez if he was still available to them at pick 21? No, there is still too much talent left on the board to take him.