Soaring Down South
Fansided

The Atlanta Hawks’ dream team if they nailed every draft pick

By Michael Shearer

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 02: Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks defends against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at State Farm Arena on December 02, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 02: Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks defends against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half at State Farm Arena on December 02, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

2019: Pick # 8. Actual: Traded for Pick #4 (De’Andre Hunter). Should’ve Been: Darius Garland
Pick #10. Actual:  Cam Reddish. Should’ve Been: Cameron Johnson

2019 was a remarkably busy draft night for the Hawks, as they consolidated and delayed numerous picks. But in the end, they traded picks #8 and #17 (and other stuff) for Pick #4 (and other stuff), which they used to select De’Andre Hunter. Pick #10 became Cam Reddish.

Travis Schlenk believed Hunter and Reddish would be the elite 3-and-D wings that could accentuate Trae Young’s strengths and cover for his weaknesses. While Hunter fared better than Reddish, he has never quite delivered on those high hopes.

Hunter has been injury-prone and inconsistent. He’s only been better than league-average from deep one time (2021-2022), and he’s struggled with poor decision-making and ballhandling. His defense is fine-to-good, but he’s not likely to ever sniff an All-Defensive Team.

Darius Garland is a lot like Trae Young: a small guard with ICBM range, razor-sharp handles, and electric passing ability. Although Garland and Young would be a defensively combustible backcourt, the offensive upside here is undeniable. Worst case, Garland would have fetched a pretty penny on the trade market if the Hawks decided it was an untenable pairing after a few years.

Interestingly, the 11th pick is exactly who the Hawks needed then and now: Cameron Johnson. Johnson isn’t quite as quick as Reddish or Hunter, but he’s bigger and a far more reliable shooter (39% from deep for his career). He can defend several positions, and he’s an effective cutter and surprising athlete: he catches a shocking number of bodies.

Johnson was seen as a low-ceiling player as a 23-year-old rookie… but he just signed a nine-figure contract with Brooklyn. (Perhaps teams shouldn’t concern themselves as much with draft age.)

Tyler Herro and Jordan Poole were taken in this draft, too, but it’s hard to see them being a better fit on the Hawks than Johnson, given Trae Young and perhaps Darius Garland’s presence.

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