Most of the attention when it comes to Hawks draft talk is centered around their top-ten selection, and reasonably so. This is set to be one of the most talented top groups the league has seen in a hot minute.
There's a real chance, though, that they're able to find a real diamond in the rough with their second first-round selection. That is, if they even keep the pick. There's rumors that they'll trade out of it, but for now, it's important to evaluate all who might be available for them to select.
If recent predictions are any indicator, they'll have plenty of high-upside players to choose from, including Kentucky's Jayden Quaintance.
JQ falling all the way to 23 would almost feel like destiny
In the latest mock draft conducted by Bryan Kalbrosky of USA Today, the Atlanta Hawks were able to land Quaintance with the 23rd-overall selection. The steal of the draft.
Quaintance is entering the NBA Draft after his sophomore season, yet is still only 18 years old. He's one of the youngest player in the entire pool. His expected slide, however, is due to what he wasn't able to show during two collegiate seasons.
Scouts are assessing his value based off of his freshman season at Arizona State. He was mostly healthy in his freshman season, playing nearly 30 minutes a night and contributing a near-double-double average. What really stood out in his nightly production, though, were his 3.7 stocks.
Quaintance is a special defensive prospect. There's no real way to ignore it. Despite being undersized for a traditional big, he's capable of doing so much more than many realize. He would feast in Atlanta, and despite his limited film at Ketucky due to availability, they would be silly not to take a chance on him if he's there at 23.
He was also one of the only expected first-round picks to not receive a green room invite, which means there's proven uncertainty regarding exactly where he'll land.
This would give them the luxury of comfortably taking a guard at eight
There's a toss-up with their first selection, which ultimately landed at eight. While it's mostly expected that they end up taking one of the top guards of the class, Michigan center Aday Mara is likely going to be available, and his potential long-term fit in Atlanta would almost be too perfect to pass on.
If they know they'll likely have a shot to land Quaintance with their second first-round pick, though, it makes the gamble far less necessary.
Calculated lead decision-makers often operate with a "best player available" mentality in regards to the NBA Draft, and if Quaintance is there at 23 - regardless of what they do with their first pick - they shouldn't hesitate to take him.
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