Moderators: dms269, HMFFL, Jamaaliver
Radioblacktive1 wrote:It’s pretty settled that whoever we draft is likely coming off the bench right?
Brad Rowland wrote:6. Atlanta Hawks – Isaac Okoro (G/F, Auburn)
Okoro is a local Atlanta product and he does a lot of things well. The Hawks spent two lottery picks on a pair of two-way forwards in 2019 and, in Okoro, they’d be following that model again to some degree. He is a bulky, physically gifted standout on the defensive end, with top-shelf athleticism and power leading to many saying Okoro is the best one-on-one defensive prospect in the class. Offensively, he has a defined weaknesses in perimeter shooting but, from there, Okoro brings more on-ball appeal than one might think, showcasing intriguing play-making skills and a high-level knowledge of the game.
ESPN.comDesmond Bane | SG | TCU | No. 44
Potential role: 3-and-D guard
Why he fits: Bane brings spot shooting, range, court vision and defensive toughness with all the makings of a plug-and-play contributor for a playoff team. At 6-6, 215 pounds with a 6-4 wingspan, Bane compares to Brooklyn's Joe Harris physically. He's not as dynamic a shooter as Harris while sprinting off screens, but hitting 43% from 3-point land on 574 career attempts speaks for itself.
Bane moves the ball intelligently out of quick actions and is comfortable facilitating from the pick-and-roll once he gets downhill to his right. Bane is one of only three players in our top 100 who averaged at least 2.5 made 3s and 3.5 assists per game, along with Pritchard and Sam Merrill.
As a defender, Bane is smart, active off the ball, a good positional rebounder and strong enough to body up more physical guards and wings.
On top of his improvement rate, production and experience from starting 117 of 145 games at TCU, Bane is regularly praised for his character and approach to the game.
Drawbacks: Bane isn't the most fluid or explosive athlete and lacks a degree of flexibility both with the ball on offense and when defending the perimeter. He struggles to finish around the rim in traffic, evidenced by his 45% 2-point percentage and extremely low free throw rate. Although he has a soft touch on floaters, Bane lacks deception when faced with size and length in the paint. -- Schmitz
Pelton projections: 0.8 WARP (30th)
Jamaaliver wrote:A prospect for the 2nd round...maybe late first round.ESPN.comDesmond Bane | SG | TCU | No. 44
Potential role: 3-and-D guard
Why he fits: Bane brings spot shooting, range, court vision and defensive toughness with all the makings of a plug-and-play contributor for a playoff team. At 6-6, 215 pounds with a 6-4 wingspan, Bane compares to Brooklyn's Joe Harris physically. He's not as dynamic a shooter as Harris while sprinting off screens, but hitting 43% from 3-point land on 574 career attempts speaks for itself.
Bane moves the ball intelligently out of quick actions and is comfortable facilitating from the pick-and-roll once he gets downhill to his right. Bane is one of only three players in our top 100 who averaged at least 2.5 made 3s and 3.5 assists per game, along with Pritchard and Sam Merrill.
As a defender, Bane is smart, active off the ball, a good positional rebounder and strong enough to body up more physical guards and wings.
On top of his improvement rate, production and experience from starting 117 of 145 games at TCU, Bane is regularly praised for his character and approach to the game.
Drawbacks: Bane isn't the most fluid or explosive athlete and lacks a degree of flexibility both with the ball on offense and when defending the perimeter. He struggles to finish around the rim in traffic, evidenced by his 45% 2-point percentage and extremely low free throw rate. Although he has a soft touch on floaters, Bane lacks deception when faced with size and length in the paint. -- Schmitz
Pelton projections: 0.8 WARP (30th)
Sir Charles in ChargeAtlanta Hawks
3 top targets: LaMelo Ball, Deni Avdija, Tyrese Haliburton
The Atlanta Hawks appear to be in good hands as long as Trae Young is at the center of their rebuild. However, they could take advantage of a drop from LaMelo Ball, or even taking a bit of a risk on a prospect such as Tyrese Haliburton. Even though he’s not considered a big-name, Haliburton is a prospect that could jump up the draft boards in the next few months.
After a sensational sophomore season, Haliburton has the length and skill set to be an interesting player to stick next to Young. He’s coming off a season in which he averaged 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Avdija is another player that could emerge as an option for the Hawks in the top 5. Though, he could be viewed as a bit of a risk.
Jamaaliver wrote:This site seems focused on us adding a secondary ballhandler through the draft. But LaMelo's poor shooting and porous defense really make it difficult to consider him...even at the top of the draft.
Interesting that they don't recommend K Hayes at all.Sir Charles in ChargeAtlanta Hawks
3 top targets: LaMelo Ball, Deni Avdija, Tyrese Haliburton
The Atlanta Hawks appear to be in good hands as long as Trae Young is at the center of their rebuild. However, they could take advantage of a drop from LaMelo Ball, or even taking a bit of a risk on a prospect such as Tyrese Haliburton. Even though he’s not considered a big-name, Haliburton is a prospect that could jump up the draft boards in the next few months.
After a sensational sophomore season, Haliburton has the length and skill set to be an interesting player to stick next to Young. He’s coming off a season in which he averaged 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Avdija is another player that could emerge as an option for the Hawks in the top 5. Though, he could be viewed as a bit of a risk.
jayu70 wrote:?s=20
kg01 wrote:*yawn*
it’s makin me...think a lot! 
CP War Hawks wrote:Anyone that downplays Antman at this point in the proceedings I can't really take seriously considering the lack of star power in this draft.
Teams Will Look to Trade Down
Depending on the lottery results, there's an expectation that teams with the top few picks will be interested in trading down. While most acknowledge that LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman are the draft's potential stars, teams don't sound confident in those players' chances of actually reaching their star potential (relative to previous drafts' projected top picks). Plus, Ball, Edwards and Wiseman aren't easy fits for everyone.
Meanwhile, there is a group of perceived lower-upside prospects—Tyrese Haliburton, Isaac Okoro, Deni Avdija, Devin Vassell—who seem to fit with or plug a hole for everyone. And teams view them as high-floor, low-maintenance contributors with limited bust potential.
Certain teams may feel better about getting Avdija at No. 5 or Haliburton at No. 6—while acquiring an additional asset to move down—than drafting Edwards at No. 1 or 2.
The question is whether there will enough teams willing to trade an asset to move up. The belief is that if teams are looking to move up, it will be a franchise trying to land Ball. The New York Knicks are assumed to be interested in him. The Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic would also make sense as teams with needs for a passer and assets to trade.
