The 2026 NBA Draft is right around the corner, and there's clearly going to be a lot in consideration for the Atlanta Hawks. They're set to make two first-round selections, but if recent reports prove to be true, maybe they won't just watch the draft unfold and make their selections exactly where they're slated to.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Hawks "are said to prefer making only one selection in the first round." They likely won't be moving off of eight, but that second selection at 23 is in true jeopardy. Maybe, it's the right mentality, as two rookies would have a difficult time finding nightly minutes.
Atlanta's roster wouldn't necessarily benefit from bringing two rookies in
Not only are they set with the majority of their rotation being locked in for the long-run, but they've got guys in the depth of their roster quietly waiting their turn. After a year, or two, of development and limited playing time, it's reasonable to believe that some of them are ready to take that next step in their games.
Mo Gueye and Asa Newell are among those who deserve nightly minutes the most, but weren't able to as consistently last season due to the construction of the roster. There wasn't much justification for them to play consistently over any of the guys in front of them, but Atlanta now has a chance to double-down on the potential they possess.
If they brought in two rookies in this upcoming draft, which is still very much a possibility, at least a few of the guys who deserve a look would get pushed down, and likely spend a good chunk of time with the College Park Skyhawks.
There are worse outcomes, but they could very easily avoid a situation like that by keeping the same aggressive mentality they've had over the last year into this new one.
It's no question that whoever they draft at eight will play nightly
It's simply that kind of draft class. Whoever falls into the hands of the Hawks at pick eight would have likely gone top-four in any other year. It proves to the quality of this year's group, and it's why New Orleans' decision to part with their unprotected selection continues to make less and less sense.
Atlanta was glad to take it from them, and now they'll have a golden opportunity to add another long-term contributor to this already-established core.
Two, though, may be stretching it. Minutes are important, and there's no realistic path to the 23rd-overall pick playing as much as he probably should in Atlanta.
This is a great problem to have.
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