The NBA Draft is finally here, and nothing is set in stone for the Atlanta Hawks.
While the overall assumption is that they'll make both of their first-round selections at eight and 23, they could entertain trade offers, but even if they do stay put, there's no prospect who's heavily favored to hear their name called.
Onsi Saleh moves in silence, with most of his completed transactions having been developed purely behind the scenes. This is very likely going to be the case on draft day, so up until the Hawks are on the clock, there probably won't be much clarity in regards to their specific direction.
They hold plenty of leverage with their top-ten selection
Not only will it quickly become one of the league's most coveted assets as the event looms closer, but Atlanta could keep it, with many options expected to be at their disposal. They need to improve in a variety of areas, so drafting mostly for fit likely goes out the window. A guard, big or even forward could make an instant impact in the nightly rotation.
The two most heavily mocked players to the Hawks are Houston's Kingston Flemings and Michigan's Aday Mara. These two players are polar opposites, providing intel to the rest of the league that Atlanta could be the first team to take an unexpected route in the established draft order.
It's also why many believe they'll end up trading the pick, as their starting lineup for next season is all but confirmed. They could certainly afford to move back a few spots, take on some additional future capital, and still land a prospect set to be in their long-term plans.
In just over a year as Atlanta's lead decision-maker, Saleh has valued flexibility, so in whatever moves they make on draft day, they'll operate with the mindset of not wanting to skip any steps.
It's important for them to keep staying the course
While they always could go the route of packaging both of their first-round picks and a combination of rostered players for a star-caliber contributor, it's incredibly unlikely due to everything they've been about in this new era.
Moving one of their picks, though, is completely reasonable and could emerge as the most realistic scenario. The truth is, nobody knows exactly what the Hawks are going to do in the hours leading up to them being on the clock. Nobody other than those in their direct circle.
The NBA Draft is here, and knowing the way this new regime operates, it should be a fun one.
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