The Hawks aren't in a position where this upcoming draft will make or break their future, but it sure would be nice to come away with a successful haul once more. It's unclear what they'll prioritize during the scouting process, but they've got countless hours of film to help aid the direction they choose.
Their roster, while on the right trajectory, does have specific areas in need of improvement. The Knicks were able to uncover a lot of the Hawks' key weaknesses, so even though they got sent home in a less than ideal way, plenty of good should come from it in the long run.
It's now up to them, though, to decide just how much they want to let this recent elimination guide their offseason plans.
They could certainly use a lead guard or dominant paint presence
The deficiency that stood out the most was their lack of halfcourt shot-creation in moments of need. They didn't possess a go-to bucket-getter they were able to lean on when games got broken down. When they couldn't dominate in transition, they had a diffcult time putting the ball in the basket.
That's why it wouldn't be surprising if they elected to go the direction of guard in this year's draft. It's a very guard-heavy class, meaning they'll still land a quality player at that position if they stay put at the eighth-overall pick.
Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr. and Keaton Wagler headline the group of point guards who could wind up as Atlanta's next top facilitator. There's little chance that all three will be off the board before eight, but they could.
Even if one of them is available by the time Atlanta makes their first selection, there's absolutely no guarantee they go that direction. It's not a very impressive big class, but there's one guy who stands out from the rest and is a sure top-12 selection.
Michigan's Aday Mara would be the only big they consider at eight
Mara isn't a perfect prospect by any means, but he addresses a need that not many could. At 7'3", he would instantly provide a new world of rim protection to a steadily-rising defensive unit. Their lack of interior size was put on blast this postseason, and drafting Mara would prove they're focused on never letting that happen again.
Truthfully, there's no wrong direction the Hawks could go here, unless they take a gamble on a wing. Drafting either a lead guard for the future or a dominant interior presence would keep them on a steady trajectory for years to come.
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