The Atlanta Hawks, overall, have received plenty of praise for the way they went about the 2026 NBA Draft. After an impressive first-round - which landed them Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor - many were unsure if they would even like to bring in a third rookie on day two.
They were exploring all options, but by the time their pick almost rolled around, and North Carolina's Henri Veesaar was still on the board, their decision was ultimately made for them. They traded up five spots, parting with cash considerations, to select the draft's biggest faller.
Veesaar, while certainly having flaws in his game that aided in his drop, lands in a perfect spot, and gives Hawks fans everything they've been asking for.
His size and offensive skill make him an intriguing modern big
Especially after Tuesday night, when they took Ejiofor at 23 - an undersized big with plenty of defensive potential - landing on this archetype now makes all the sense in the world. It's not difficult to see why Hawks executives made an aggressive move-up when they saw him still available.
He began his collegiate career at Arizona, where he slowly developed into the player he is today. Last season, as North Carolina's two-way anchor, Veesaar averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 60.8% from the field and 42.6% from deep.
His offensive volume was there, too. This level of nightly production was no fluke, and there's plenty of reason to believe it'll translate to the next level. As long as he's placed in the right system, he's expected to be a sure thing.
Well, Atlanta is that perfect spot. Onyeka Okongwu, their current starting center, is excellent at what he's able to provide. He brings everything that would make the average modern big special, except his size, which has grown controversial in the Hawks community. It has quickly presented them with a major roster-construction problem.
Veesaar is no perfect fix, but he's a clear step in the right direction
The greatest part about selecting a player who's spent several years in college before declaring, is that they're typically ready to contribute on day one. More than any other freshman would.
In order for his attack to fully translate - on both ends, that is - he'll need to lean into growing his athleticism and lateral quickness. If he's unable to, despite his incredible frame, he won't be able to share a similar impact to Okongwu. Yes, even with the height difference.
If he develops properly and becomes the long-term answer, great! But Hawks fans shouldn't bank on it. Players who slide this far, usually slide this far for a reason. The potential of Veesaar is fascinating, though, and should bring plenty of excitement to a frontcourt in need of an upgrade.
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