The Atlanta Hawks are officially gearing up for the 2025 NBA Draft. With the No. 13 pick and No. 22 pick, the Hawks will have a chance to add an impactful rookie to their roster.
New reports have revealed that Atlanta will host Auburn superstar Tahaad Pettiford in a pre-draft workout before the May 28 deadline to withdraw from the draft. Pettiford averaged 11.6 points as a freshman off the bench for the Tigers, helping them reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. At March Madness, the 6-foot-1 point guard averaged 15.2 points and 3.6 assists.
While still undecided on whether he will declare for the draft or not, Pettiford has already worked out with the Brooklyn Nets and plans to visit the Hawks and the Toronto Raptors before he makes a final decision.
Over the last few seasons, the Hawks have desperately needed a reliable backup point guard to lighten Trae Young’s workload. The 19-year-old Pettiford has already displayed a mature level of poise and shotmaking that should catch Atlanta’s attention. Given the disappointment of Kobe Bufkin and his lackluster production and durability, Pettiford could be just what the Hawks need.
While Atlanta could opt for a more experienced option, Pettiford fits the Hawks’ timeline like a glove. Their youth movement would only benefit from the addition of a rising talent like Pettiford. Trae Young would also serve as the perfect mentor for a young point guard of Pettiford’s stature (the same height as Young).
After dominating at the NBA Draft Combine, Pettiford revealed he would likely need assurance of a first-round selection to rule out a return to college hoops, per College Basketball Central's Kevin Sweeney on May 14. Thankfully for the Hawks, first-round picks are all they have in this draft.
Tahaad Pettiford could give Hawks upgraded version of Kobe Bufkin
Like Bufkin, Pettiford is a lefty with raw point guard skills. However, the Auburn alum averaged 20.2 points and 5.2 assists per 40 minutes as a freshman to Bufkin’s 15.4 points and 2.9 assists per 40 minutes in his two years of college.
Bufkin’s game still hasn’t fully translated to the pros, but Pettiford’s game very well could. Pettiford also played in every possible game for Auburn, putting his durability on full display. Meanwhile, Bufkin’s injury woes sent the Hawks into scramble mode for a backup floor general last season.
Atlanta has been linked to other talented prospects at various positions, but the team’s recent connection to Pettiford will certainly turn some heads. The Hawks’ bench ranked No. 22 in total assists among the league’s second units, and Pettiford seems like a potential solution for this issue.
With June 25 on the horizon, the Hawks have many pre-draft evaluations ahead of them. Only time will tell if Atlanta decides to make a serious push for Pettiford in the first round.