With the pre-draft process underway for teams that missed the playoffs, it's the perfect time to discuss some names the Hawks could target with their first-round picks. In my opinion, Atlanta will most likely look to trade the 13th pick as part of a package to acquire more win-now players. So let’s focus on the 22nd overall pick, which is coming over from the Lakers. This pick was acquired last offseason in the Dyson Daniels trade.
Finally a Proper backup Point Guard
Over Trae Young's seven years in Atlanta, he has never had a true backup to relieve some of the pressure when he's off the floor. Sure, there was 31-year-old Jeff Teague, 34 to 35-year-old Lou Williams, who only played in 80 games over two seasons with the Hawks, Rajon Rondo who at 34-years-old played only 27 games with the Hawks, and even this past year, Vit Krejci. And while Krejci is solid, let’s be honest, he is not at all capable of replicating anything close to what Trae brings to the court.
The hope was that Kobe Bufkin, taken 15th overall two years ago, would lead the second unit, but that just hasn’t panned out. That’s where a certain NCAA Champion and Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament comes in, guard Walter Clayton Jr out of Florida.
During his run last year at Florida, Walt averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, shooting an efficient 44.8% from the field and 38.6% from three. The 6'2 guard, plays with incredible confidence, has elite shot-making ability, a tight handle, clutch gene, and real leadership qualities. On pure talent, he’s a legit lottery prospect.
But the reason he is not projected as a lottery pick is because he's 22. For the Hawks, that’s a plus. This team is trying to make the playoffs and doesn’t have time for long development curves. They need players who can contribute right away.
Clayton would also help address Atlanta's three-point shooting needs. The Hawks ranked 14th in three-point makes and 15th in attempts this past season, as at the combine Clayton went 20-30 off the dribble, 20-25 on spot-ups, 17-25 in the three-point star drill, and 16-27 in the three-point side drill.
One more key part of drafting Clayton is with him being the guy at Florida, he could serve as insurance in the event the Hawks eventually move on from Trae Young, as I assure you this guy has all the making of a starting guard in this league.
The Perfect Sixth Man
With Zacharie Risacher set to start at the 3 next season for the Hawks, the team is lacking a true, pure scoring threat off the bench. Enter Will Riley.
The 6'8" freshman forward out of Illinois brings considerable upside. While he isn’t a freak athlete, Riley is still highly athletic and pairs that with smooth shooting mechanics and solid size for the wing position. He plays with confidence and profiles as a true three-level scoring threat, capable of both spot-up shooting and creating his own shot at the next level. Riley is also a very good finisher but at the NBA level he'll need to add to his frame to be able to finish through contact.
Riley was a dominant presence off the bench for the Fighting Illini, earning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors after averaging 12.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. On the defensive end, he sits somewhere in the middle, not a liability, but not a standout either. He gets by, though there's room for growth.
One question mark is his strength. Riley weighed in at 185.6 pounds at the combine, making him a bit small weight wise for a wing. However, he’s shown he’s not afraid of the work, he put on over 20 pounds during his lone season at Illinois, but will need to continue adding weight to be a high impact finisher at the NBA level. At just 19 years old, Riley is still very young, but he's ready to contribute to winning basketball right away and could be a valuable piece for Atlanta as they aim to stay competitive in the East.
Go get the Center of the Future
With Clint Capela likely departing in free agency, the Hawks will be in need of a legitimate backup big man, someone who defends the rim well and block shots. Thomas Sorber out of Georgetown fits that mold and offers even more upside. The freshman center averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. Sorber has a soft touch around the rim and effectively uses his 250-pound frame to overpower smaller defenders. He shows impressive footwork and has a knack for exposing poor defenders with ease.
Although Sorber is a traditional back-to-the-basket big and shot just 16% from three this past season, his shooting form is promising. He also hit 72% of his free throws, which is a positive sign that he could develop into a capable stretch big over his career. As mentioned earlier, Sorber blocked 1.9 shots per game, showcasing elite timing and shot recognition. His 7'6" wingspan allows him to alter or reject nearly any shot that comes near the basket.
An underrated aspect of Sorber’s game is his passing. He averaged 2.9 assists per game last season. While he’s not Nikola Jokić, his decision-making is sound, and he consistently makes the right reads. If Sorber can put all the pieces together he has the ability to be a starting center in the league and is a great option for Atlanta at 22.