This year’s group of potential NBA draftees is loaded with talent. That being said, there is somewhat of a lack of quality center options. This puts the Atlanta Hawks in a tricky position when it comes to the draft. With Clint Capela likely departing in free agency, there's a clear hole in the Hawks’ backup big man spot.
This could force the Hawks to reach for a player who may not be a lottery-level talent but fills that positional need with their 13th overall pick. That’s where Thomas Sorber comes in.
Most scouts project Sorber as a mid-to-late first-round pick, typically in the 20s.
However, he might not make it past pick 20. From selections 14 through 20, several teams could use either a starting or backup center. Those teams include the Spurs, Thunder, Magic, Timberwolves, Wizards, Nets, and Heat. If the Hawks pass on Sorber, they may be left with a less-polished big who doesn’t bring the same skill set.
Passing on Sorber at 13 would also mean the Hawks are forced to rely on landing a free agent center something that’s far from guaranteed. While players like Steven Adams, Brook Lopez, Mo Wagner, and Luke Kornet would be excellent fits for the Hawks as quality defenders, screeners, and scorers, the chances of outbidding other teams for their services seem slim. On the other hand, by drafting Sorber, the Hawks would have team control for multiple years.
Thomas Sorber can be special addition for Hawks
Now let’s dive into what makes Sorber special. The 19-year-old freshman is a force at the rim. He measured 6'9" without shoes and posted a massive 7'6" wingspan at the NBA Draft Combine. Sorber has impeccable timing when contesting and blocking shots, his 7.6% block rate helped him average an impressive 1.9 blocks per game. He could be a real rim protector for the Hawks, something they need desperately.
His ridiculous wingspan allows him to recover quickly on defense and provide strong rim protection. With the Hawks ranking in the 10 in points allowed in the paint per game, Sorber could come in and make an immediate impact in helping fix that. Sorber thrives in drop coverage situations, meaning the transtion to being a off the bench rim protector will be effortless. If Sorber wants to become a full-time NBA starter, he’ll need to continue improving his perimeter defense, particularly when it comes to how he moves lateral and his change-of-direction situations.
On the glass Sorber is an a great rebounder on both ends. Defensively, he controls the paint and rarely allows second-chance opportunities for opponents. At Georgetown, he averaged 2.7 offensive rebounds per game, creating numerous second-chance scoring opportunities for his team. He has a knack for tipping offensive boards back in for putbacks. Considering the Hawks ranked in the top 10 in offensive rebounding last season, Sorber would fit perfectly in Atlanta with the way they crash the class so aggressively.
From a offensive point of view Sorber is very raw, but there's a ton of things to like. His footwork stands out. In the post, he beats opposing bigs with, drop steps, spins, and fakes getting him right at the rim where he finishes with his soft touch. He averaged 14.5 points per game with majority of those points being scored in the post.
He also averaged 2.7 assists per game. While that number may not jump off the page, Sorber is an underrated passer. He makes the right reads, finds the open man when double-teamed, and keeps the ball moving, making his film fun to watch. He's already a strong screener and operates well in pick-and-roll situations.
The biggest question mark is his shooting. He shot just 16% from three-point land, but his shooting form is promising, and he hit 72% of his free throws, which is an encouraging sign that the fundamentals are there. Even if he never becomes a consistent shooter, Sorber has all the tools to be a highly effective NBA center.