Updated: 8:30 PM, 6/21
The Hawks 2019 draft can be summed up in one word: "TRADES."
Talk about a "Woj bomb." The Hawks paid a STEEP price to move from No. 8 to No.4, sending away THREE first round picks and a high second in addition to taking on Solomon Hill's hilariously bad contract. Hill makes a reasonable $12.7 million this year, but boasts a career average of just 5.9 points and played in only 56 games the last two seasons.
The Hawks willingness to trade the No. 41 and No. 44 picks earlier this week for basically nothing (conditional future picks and cash) seemed to indicate they had already secured a path to move up that didn't necessitate those picks. General Manager Travis Schlenk was clear that the Hawks did NOT want to load their roster up with rookies, and he appears to have sacrificed quantity for quality in an effort to get the players he really wanted.
So...who were they?
The Picks
Round 1, Pick #4
Hunter was widely touted as the best on-the-ball defender in the entire draft. He measures 6'8"and 225 pounds with a 7'2" wingspan. He showed the size and versatility to guard (and shut down) multiple positions in college, earning him the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. His primary offensive skill is jump shooting, hitting 44% of his threes this past season, and showing improved ability to create his own shot in the midrange with pull-ups and turnarounds.
Hunter projects as a high-end role player, but he is the absolute prototype for a "Three-and-D" wing and the Hawks provide one of the best fits in the entire league for his skill set. Atlanta desperately needed a big wing defender -- a role they gave up on Taurean Prince fulfilling -- and Hunter brings that along with a reliable shooting stroke. While his skills fit with virtually ANY team in the modern NBA, only a handful of players in the league create more open shots than Hawks PG Trae Young, which should allow Hunter to feast on spot-up looks while also providing the defensive anchor the Hawks desperately lacked last season.
Ultimately, Hunter has one of the highest floors in this draft and represents a virtually ZERO-risk prospect. He lacked curb appeal to many people since he is more-or-less a finished product with limited upside beyond his current skill set. On the other hand, he's one of the most NBA ready players in the draft and should be able to step in and start at small forward for the Hawks on day one. This looks like a fantastic addition to Atlanta's young core.
NBA Comparisons
Ceiling: Paul Millsap - Not a star, but a rock-solid player with an excellent all-around game.
Mid-level: Robert Covington/Otto Porter - A lock down perimeter defender with a good three-point shot.
Floor: P.J. Tucker - Invaluable glue guy who guards every position and is limited on offense, but can hit open threes.
Round 1, Pick #10
Cam Reddish fell in the Hawks lap after sliding to the No. 10 spot. Despite woefully underachieving during his freshman year at Duke, Reddish's size and two-way potential made him an enticing prospect to many teams. The problem comes in reconciling his enormous potential with his (at times) dreadful decision-making and finishing. Reddish only shot 35.6% from the field, averaged more turnovers than assists, and frequently disappeared for long stretches on the offensive side of the ball. His 6'8" frame, 7'1" wing span, and shooting stroke make his ceiling sky-high, but he remains one of the most enigmatic players in this entire class. Here's a good breakdown from Brad Rowland over at Peachtree Hoops:
It has to be said that Reddish struggled during his freshman season at Duke, most notably with his finishing near the rim and a sub-40 percent clip on two-point attempts...As a shooter, Reddish was solid enough during his time at the college level and, mechanically, there is a lot to like about his shooting stroke when combined with his frame. In fact, Reddish delivered well from a statistical standpoint as an off-movement shooter and he profiles as a classic “better in the pros than in college” prospect.
Prior to college, Reddish was thought to have upside as a secondary creator and, with more space on the floor in the NBA (particularly with the Hawks’ shooting), that skill could come to light. Even if that doesn’t transpire, though, he’ll bring value as a 3-and-D archetype with the ability to stretch opposing defenses.
Defensively, Reddish was better than advertised at Duke. He flashed quality hands and generated an encouraging steal rate (2.9 percent), with the length and fluidity to provide real optimism in his translation to the NBA. Athletically, Reddish isn’t particularly explosive, but he is coordinated and possesses strong body control, profiling as a small forward with good size and acumen.
Here's another uber-detailed break down from draft genius Mike Schmitz of Draft Xpress:
At the end of the day, Reddish is a boom-or-bust prospect whose upside justifies the gamble at No.10, especially with a super low-risk pick like De'Andre Hunter already in the fold. He profiles as a high-end (potentially elite) two-way player if he ever approaches the upper limits of his talent ceiling.
NBA Comparisons
Ceiling: Paul George - Dynamic shot-maker and elite wing defender.
Mid-level: Harrison Barnes - Good shot-maker that teases All-Star potential.
Floor: Marvin Williams - Big, versatile wing with a streaky outside shot.
Round 2, Pick #4 (34th overall)
The Hawks final draft day trade saw them give up two future second round picks to move from No. 57 to No. 34 and select Maryland big man Bruno Fernando. Fernando's draft projections varied widely, but many mock drafts projected him as high as a top-25 selection. He is universally praised as a physical specimen, and outstanding athlete, and a very good rebounder while opinions seem to vary on his defensive upside. For what it's worth, he made both the All Big-10 first team and the All-Big 10 Defensive Team, so he provides an immediate upgrade over the often porous frontcourt defense of young bigs John Collins and Omari Spellman. Here is a snippet from his NBA.com draft profile
Filled a key role for a Maryland team that leaned quite heavily on his ability to make things happen out of the post both in terms of scoring and passing. Showed a bit of improvement as a decision-maker and jump shooter, but continued to do much of his best work as a finisher and rebounder making use of his physical tools inside.
Defensive Analysis
Productive rebounder with great feet and the length to be an impact player defensively. Blocks quite a few shots, but is capable of more. Has done a good job staying out of foul trouble for the most part this season but is still early in his development on the perimeter and off the ball.
Fernando projects as a center for the Hawks, checking in at at 6’10"with a 7’3" wingspan on a 237-pound frame. His offensive production is limited to the paint at this point, and his ability to post-up and catch lobs is somewhat redundant with the offensive game of John Collins. That said, it makes him a perfect frontcourt partner for the perimeter-oriented game of Omari Spellman on the second unit. Fernando has long-term potential as the starting center alongside John Collins, and should provide a boost in rim protection should the Hawks decide to move on from Dewayne Dedmon.
NBA Comparisons
Ceiling: Montrezl Harrell - Effective big whose motor and athleticism allow him to reek havoc in the paint.
Mid-level: Derrick Favors - Very good role player; good interior scorer that also defends and rebounds
Floor: Mason Plumlee/Dwight Powell - A bouncy big that defends and catches lobs.
Draft GRADE
Talent: A (9/10)
The Hawks selected the best defender in the draft and arguably the most talented two-way wing in the draft. It's hard to imagine them squeezing any more talent out of the picks they were dealt, and both Hunter and Reddish should make great additions to their young core. Bruno Fernando also adds value a long-term center prospect.
Value: B-
It's difficult to criticize the value of either first-round pick as both players went precisely where they were slotted to go. The question is whether the Hawks gave up to much to move from No. 8 to No. 4.
As noted earlier, the price seems extremely steep at first, but the 2020 Cleveland pick is top-10 protected and almost certain to turn into two second-round picks. That means the Hawks essentially traded three second-round picks and the No. 17 pick to move up four spots. That's still a lot, but a much easier pill to swallow than the notion they traded three first-round picks for a high-end role player.
That said, the Hunter trade still involved four picks for one player, and even though the trade makes perfect sense, it's difficult to call a four-for-one trade a great value unless you land an elite prospect.
Fernando also appears to be a great value at No. 34, and considering the number of second round picks the Hawks have accumulated for the next five years, it's hard to criticize trading two of those for a second-round prospect that could become a legitimate starter.
Need: A-
The Hawks biggest needs were wing defense and rim protection. They also have a glaring hole at back-up point guard, but that was always going to be addressed by pursuing a veteran free agent like Patrick Beverley, Ricky Rubio, or Malcolm Brogdon.
The Hawks selected two capable wing defenders, but neither projects to offer much rim protection. This draft contained only a handful of legitimate shot blockers (Tacko Fall, Jaxson Hayes, Nicolas Claxton, Brandon Clarke) but none of them offer the shooting ability of Reddish and Hunter. So, while one of the Hawks two biggest draft needs wasn't completely addressed, it's hard to criticize them for doubling down on two prospects that met a need and also offer superior floor spacing.
In drafting Bruno Fernando, the Hawks DID add a big man with rim protection potential. Fernando isn't an elite defender but he's a good one, and managed to block 1.9 blocks per game at Maryland.
Comentarios