The #4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Caleb Wilson, had arguably the most impressive Summer League of all the top prospects in this year's latest class of rookies.
While Atlanta did incredibly well for themselves despite not owning a creme de la creme selection, drafting Kingston Flemings 8th overall and Zuby Ejiofor at 23rd, the Bulls' heir apparent has left a sour taste for Hawks fans all the same.
If Atlanta had just a bit more lottery luck, how would the league be looking at a squad that took the defending champs to six, and only got better over the offseason?
Wilson's summer numbers are great, but far from the whole story
Wilson concluded his 2026 Summer League tenure with the Bulls averaging an impressive 23.5 points per contest, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game, including an obscene 42% metric from long range.
Wilson's greatest flaw heading into the 2026 NBA Draft was, without a shadow of a doubt, his nonexistent three-ball. North Carolina had not particularly asked the youngster to stray into this range throughout their season, opting instead to place Wilson where he was strongest - on the low block, and the midrange (where he was incredibly prolific, to the credit of head coach Hubert Davis).
In spite of how elite these numbers are, these aren't what are wow'ing opposing coaches, players, and fans - it's his highlight reel.
Wilson's jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism and reaction time have led to emphatic blocks, fast-break inducing steals, and most tantalizingly, thunderous dunks multiple times every outing. There's little doubt that Wilson will bring the same level of highlights to Chicago this October during the regular season.
The duo that nearly reunited in Atlanta could have skyrocketed Hawks
Wilson's partner in crime in Chapel Hill, Henri Veesaar, was selected 52nd overall by the Hawks this summer. Atlanta was just a few ping-pong balls away from reuniting the physical pair of low-post finishers in the big league - while Veesaar may be significantly behind where Wilson is as an NBA-level prospect, he's already proven he belongs during summer league.
It's not ridiculous to imagine a world where Veesaar and Wilson could have both played a relevant part in the Hawks' rotation as early as next season - Wilson starting at the four, and Veesaar as the backup five to Onyeka Okongwu.
With all of the other tools at Quin Snyder's disposal, how competitive could this roster have been? As good as Kingston Flemings is, there's a long line of history proving young ball handlers often need a year or two to develop into positive rotation players in the league (outside of the tip-top of the draft).
While the 2026 NBA Draft haul that Onsi Saleh was able to escape with is far from disappointing, Hawks fans have to wonder what could've been with Atlanta native Caleb Wilson's greatness already on display for the entire league to see.
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