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Discuss everything related to the Atlanta Hawks draft wise here. This should be an exciting draft for us as we're allowed to swap picks with the Brooklyn Nets who might end up in the lottery.

Link to last year's thread: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1295350

With the way the Pistons have been playing I really think they will end up in the playoffs. Smoove was a serious cancer to that team lol. Charlotte is another team that has caught fire as of late.

**In no order**

Hawks
Cavs
Bulls
Wizards
Raptors
Bucks
Heat
Pistons
Charlotte
Pacers

Those are all teams that I think will push BRK out of the playoffs this season. Which woud potentially give us a pick anywhere from 10-14 in the lottery I believe?

Weird in that the Hawks are playing for both draft position and hunting for a title. Makes the long time Hawks fans feel comfortable while also gaining bandwagon fans...

No idea what, if any, effect the current makeup on the FO will have on drafting. Honestly think Ferry's approach to the draft was to simply find the longest athlete across all the positions and draft him - especially after Coach Bud came on board. If the kid can scratch his knees without bending over, then he went to the top of the Draft Board. Assuming this stays true, the kids I'm watching are Oubre, Myles Turner, and (especially) Harrell. Stanley Johnson, Hollis-Jefferson, and Cliff Alexander will also merit attention. There are some who DX doesn't have measurements on (most notably Hezonja and LeVert) though so they merit monitoring. All this assume we're somewhere from about 10-16 though...

PMOTT3 wrote:With the way the Pistons have been playing I really think they will end up in the playoffs. Smoove was a serious cancer to that team lol. Charlotte is another team that has caught fire as of late.

**In no order**

Hawks
Cavs
Bulls
Wizards
Raptors
Bucks
Heat
Pistons
Charlotte
Pacers

Those are all teams that I think will push BRK out of the playoffs this season. Which woud potentially give us a pick anywhere from 10-14 in the lottery I believe?

Every time I read about BRK I think they'll end up with a playoff spot... every time I check where they are in the standings, they've lost another few games. I honestly don't know what to make of them and it should be interesting what happens to them the rest of the season. Will they deal Lopez and Deron? Do they need to completely remake the team under the new Head Coach? The AK deal is one point in our favor though - really feel like he was underrated and the type of "glue guy" that they need in the midst of their stars.

As far as the seed, thinking D-Wade and Bosh will have enough pride to ensure they make the playoffs - even the 8 seed - post-Lebron (and if they're out of it early, look for 1 or both to have an "injury" that will rest them up at the end of the season) so that leaves BRK in a scrum with what is shaping up to be MIL, DET, CHAR, and IND for 2 playoff slots. MIL has the early lead, but I just get the feeling that we'll see a late season fade but it might not be enough to lose their playoff spot. The others are in various states of trending up and down and the team that is up more than down will garner their spot. Any team that missing the playoffs in the East will have at worst the 11th pick though since the scrum for the last spot or two in the West has 4-5 teams competing for 1-2 spots and I suspect all of them will have a better record than the 8 seed in the East. Hence, I'd guess the BRK pick will be either in the 8-11 range (if they miss the playoffs and pre-lotto) or 15/16 if they do. Either way, a nice chit to have for a team that is competing for the top spot in the East.

This is Brooklyns schedule for the rest of January

1/12: Rockets
1/14: Grizzlies
1/16: Wizards
1/17: Wizards
1/21: Kings
1/22: Clippers
1/24: Jazz
1/26: Trail Blazers
1/28: Hawks

They could potentially lose every single one of those, that schedule is rough

Would be great if such a scenario could pan out!
Would go after Myles Turner who would have the smarts and potential to become our Tim Duncan!

FCNATL85 wrote:Would be great if such a scenario could pan out!
Would go after Myles Turner who would have the smarts and potential to become our Tim Duncan!

No, Duncan comparison is way to much, i think ceiling wise, Turner is more in the mold of Bosh, LMA, or Jermain O'Neal.

But anyway, it would be cool if the Hawks can get a top 10 pick, but it would be great if they can get a top 5 pick, because i count 5 elite prospects in this year's trade, Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, Turner, and Stanley Johnson

atlantabbq99 wrote:

FCNATL85 wrote:Would be great if such a scenario could pan out!
Would go after Myles Turner who would have the smarts and potential to become our Tim Duncan!

No, Duncan comparison is way to much, i think ceiling wise, Turner is more in the mold of Bosh, LMA, or Jermain O'Neal.

But anyway, it would be cool if the Hawks can get a top 10 pick, but it would be great if they can get a top 5 pick, because i count 5 elite prospects in this year's trade, Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, Turner, and Stanley Johnson

Personally, I think the only other one I consider with a top 3 pick would be Porzingis who could be the an elite rim protecting and 3PT shooter. All he needs is 20 pounds and he is the mythical Stretch 5 with impact defensive ability. He needs a more projection than either Mudiay or KAT, but his upside might be the highest of the 3.

I think Porzingis, Hezonja, and one of Stanley Johnson or Justise Winslow make the most sense of we get a top ten pick. Obviously Okafor, Towns, and Mudiay make more sense but those names are a long shot for us.

Draft gets weaker and weaker as the college season goes on.

Let's say Brooklyn actually ends up in the lotto and we earn a pick that is anywhere from 4-14 (just not top 3 so no Okafor, Towns, or Mudiay). Who do we take? Who makes the most sense?

PMOTT3 wrote:Let's say Brooklyn actually ends up in the lotto and we earn a pick that is anywhere from 4-14 (just not top 3 so no Okafor, Towns, or Mudiay). Who do we take? Who makes the most sense?

Whichever 3pt shooter has the longest arms is my guess.

PMOTT3 wrote:Let's say Brooklyn actually ends up in the lotto and we earn a pick that is anywhere from 4-14 (just not top 3 so no Okafor, Towns, or Mudiay). Who do we take? Who makes the most sense?

Myles Turner with Stanley Johnson a very very close #2.

Hawks can use Stanley more because he could be a possible future replacement to Demar or Korver, but Turner is an athletic 7 footer with a good jumpshot and that is too much to pass up on.

I'm ok with either guy. I think Turner could be another LMA (or Bosh) and Stanley Johnson could be as good or even alittle better than Kawhi Leonard or prime Ron Artest.

theatlfan wrote:

atlantabbq99 wrote:

FCNATL85 wrote:Would be great if such a scenario could pan out!
Would go after Myles Turner who would have the smarts and potential to become our Tim Duncan!

No, Duncan comparison is way to much, i think ceiling wise, Turner is more in the mold of Bosh, LMA, or Jermain O'Neal.

But anyway, it would be cool if the Hawks can get a top 10 pick, but it would be great if they can get a top 5 pick, because i count 5 elite prospects in this year's trade, Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, Turner, and Stanley Johnson

Personally, I think the only other one I consider with a top 3 pick would be Porzingis who could be the an elite rim protecting and 3PT shooter. All he needs is 20 pounds and he is the mythical Stretch 5 with impact defensive ability. He needs a more projection than either Mudiay or KAT, but his upside might be the highest of the 3.

Do not underestimate the impact of the environment in which the player will grow in (look at Schroeder and Muscala...). Turner has a lot more potential than Mike and seems very mature for his young age.

FCNATL85 wrote:

theatlfan wrote:

atlantabbq99 wrote:
No, Duncan comparison is way to much, i think ceiling wise, Turner is more in the mold of Bosh, LMA, or Jermain O'Neal.
or
But anyway, it would be cool if the Hawks can get a top 10 pick, but it would be great if they can get a top 5 pick, because i count 5 elite prospects in this year's trade, Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, Turner, and Stanley Johnson

Personally, I think the only other one I consider with a top 3 pick would be Porzingis who could be the an elite rim protecting and 3PT shooter. All he needs is 20 pounds and he is the mythical Stretch 5 with impact defensive ability. He needs a more projection than either Mudiay or KAT, but his upside might be the highest of the 3.

Do not underestimate the impact of the environment in which the player will grow in (look at Schroeder and Muscala...). Turner has a lot more potential than Mike and seems very mature for his young age.

Sorry, not 100% this is for me... Instead of Mike did you mean Porzingis? Or Kristaps? If so, I highly suggest going over and reading up / watching some film on Porzingis - his upside is absolutely ridiculous. Has all the physical tools: he's a legit 7'er with long, long arms (no measurements, but they look Brow-like), excellent agility and quickness for his size, and growth potential in terms of girth. He's hitting 40+% from 3 right now; He had other-worldly numbers in terms of blocked shots, better than Ibaka at the same age. He's doing this in the 2nd best league in the world at a little under 8 months older than Turner. He isn't without his holes (most notably, rebounding, but I'm also not 100% he'll gain the necessary weight to be a C in the NBA) but for that type of Offense / Defense package, I'm willing to make some trade-offs.

Now, don't get me wrong. I really like Turner as a prospect and would be excited as h3ll if we had to "settle" for him in the draft. I think he is somewhere in the 5th to 7th range with the 2 SFs (Johnson and Winslow) as his main competition. It's just that I really am that high on Porzingis and what he can do on the court... only prospect in this draft who I'd see with comparable upside is KAT.

After watching game film and reading up on Porzingis, for the last couple of months, he could turn into the next one of these......




Or he could turn into another one of these......



He could be another Dirk or another bust. His limited athleticism doesn't but him in the KG level, but it does put him in the Dirk and Pau Gasol level. He is skinny, but theoretically anybody can put on weight. He is a stretch PF/SF with good balance and footwork and good skill set, but we have seen dozens of those already drafted in the NBA. Just like Dirk, defensively he has length but lacks lateral quickness, that is why i'm skeptical about him becoming another Paul Gasol on the defensive end. Just like the dozens of stretch 7footers drafted before him, he has great upside, that could make people fall in love with his game and thus overlook his flaws, and him being young always gives his supporters the argument that everything else will be fixed over time.

Porzingis is a good prospect, but he still has his risk, and is far far from being a sure thing. Porzingis for me is worth a lottery pick, but i would be worried in wasting a top 5 pick on him, i would have to do alot of homework on the guy if i had a top 5 pick to use on him.

atlantabbq99 wrote:After watching game film and reading up on Porzingis, for the last couple of months, he could turn into the next one of these......

[pic removed]

Or he could turn into another one of these......

[pics removed]

He could be another Dirk or another bust. His limited athleticism doesn't but him in the KG level, but it does put him in the Dirk and Pau Gasol level. He is skinny, but theoretically anybody can put on weight. He is a stretch PF/SF with good balance and footwork and good skill set, but we have seen dozens of those already drafted in the NBA. Just like Dirk, defensively he has length but lacks lateral quickness, that is why i'm skeptical about him becoming another Paul Gasol on the defensive end. Just like the dozens of stretch 7footers drafted before him, he has great upside, that could make people fall in love with his game and thus overlook his flaws, and him being young always gives his supporters the argument that everything else will be fixed over time.

Porzingis is a good prospect, but he still has his risk, and is far far from being a sure thing. Porzingis for me is worth a lottery pick, but i would be worried in wasting a top 5 pick on him, i would have to do alot of homework on the guy if i had a top 5 pick to use on him.

i've tried to reply to this 3x now and my post keeps getting lost. My apologies if my anger at my computer/phone and this web site comes through...

Outside of being Slavic and 7', I don't see the Dirk comp. I don't see Porzingis as the creator that Dirk is on O. Dirk might look like he has 2 left feet, but he always seems to get an open look against tight D. Porzingis is more of a catch and shoot guy who has enough handles and quickness to blow by someone closing out.

Where I don't agree is the D though. He's blocking shots at a higher rate than Ibaka and that's something that generally carries over. Could honestly see Porzingis developing into a Tim Duncan / David Robinson-esque presence defensive rim protector and a DPotY candidate. This is where I go absolutely bonkers about his potential.

Now, don't get me wrong. I agree that Porzingis has a very high bust rate even for a teenaged draftee. For instance, if he doesn't gain 20-30 pounds and couldn't be a full time C, then his value diminishes greatly. I don't see the need for additional physical development in the other 4 big time C's in this draft (Okafor, KAT, WCS, Turner). But when I look at what he can be, I can see what the scouts who say he could be the #1 pick in the draft see and am amazed that someone can have that much talent.

I'm a little worried about brooklyn making the playoffs now..they just pulled off wins against the clippers and raptors. Think they will make a trade before the trade deadline?

PMOTT3 wrote:I'm a little worried about brooklyn making the playoffs now..they just pulled off wins against the clippers and raptors. Think they will make a trade before the trade deadline?

Lol - I was working on a post to resurrect this thread as well (I lost it though - maybe I'll rewrite it this afternoon). Couple of points:
1) I can't put too much stock into 2 games. In the 1st, they were looking for retribution after getting shellacked by 40 in LA a couple of weeks ago; I would put the 2nd as just "one of those games" for TOR. Now, I do think that BRK is one of about 7 teams fighting for a couple of playoff spots, but I still give MIA, CHAR, and DET better odds of locking one of those slots down - at least as of now.
2) I do think they'll make a trade before the deadline, but the deal will more likely be taking on long term salary for a bit more present value. Not sure that will get them to the playoffs.

Another thing to watch: I think some of the vets there are basically trying to play their way off the roster. The situation isn't good and players who went there expecting a big stage aren't getting it (as we saw last year, many fans would prefer to just miss the playoffs than be the 8 seed in the East). The problem is that I don't think BRK is looking to do a sell off - just to move some $$ around - so some of those guys who want to be traded are going to be disappointed. We might see a small surge leading up to the deadline but I wonder what will happen with the guys who are still there once the deadline passes.

As an aside, I still think that a deal for Lance will happen on, if not before, the deadline. Just think that, with the situation there now including the owner trying to sell, having a young, hometown "star" will be a selling point that they can't refuse and CHAR is motivated to deal Lance especially if they can save face by extracting some value in the process. This could be the perfect scenario for us - BRK deals one of their more productive vets for the hometown kid who comes in and gets into fights with the vets who are left after wishing to be dealt. That would be a recipe for implosion if I've ever heard one...

Assuming the following:
- Hawks make a DEEP playoff run (ECF or better)
- Nets fail to make the playoffs, landing us a lottery pick

How would you guys feel about trading our pick, even a Top 5 pick, for future picks down the road? Looking at our roster now I think we're well-equipped across the board, and anything less than an exceptional rookie would find it hard to crack our rotation. Drafting someone and then not giving them sufficient playing time to develop would seem like a waste, and if we could parlay our pick into a bevy of picks a year out that might be the better option.

For example, say we get the #2 pick. Mudiay isn't going to get time when we already have Teague and Dennis; makes more sense for us to trade him to the Lakers for their 2016 and 2018 picks, when they'll likely still be bad in 2016 running a rotation of Mudiay and Jordan Hill. We'd then get an additional pick as well.

Every year, I start in with the "consensus tiering" of some pundits who are egotistical enough to put together Big Boards and Mock Draft for others' consumption. All I'm trying to do is find specific groupings across multiple drafts in an attempt to see if what types of players we should expect to be looking at when we are drafting. In past years, I've been more scientific by taking multiple averages and to grade out players into tiers, but I'm not doing that this year - well, at least not yet. In this post, I'm going more by feel as there does appear to be some consistency in the top 3 tiers which goes out to about 12 players... or exactly where we'd draft if the season had ended last night and BRK didn't "win" the lotto. Note that players with an * are more variable than the other and could be placed in a higher or lower tier depending on where they are in the ranking within the tier - or you could even create a tier specifically for those in between the tiers.

Tier 1: Okafor
Stranglehold on the #1 pick since his JR year in HS when he measured in with a 7'5" wingspan.

Tier 2: Mudiay, Russell, Anthony-Towns, Stanley Johnson*
Russell has been getting a lot of love as he has jumped from a late lotto guy to top 5 selection this year. Johnson is an interesting case as some have him as a clear top 5 pick whereas other have him in the late lotto.

Tier 3: Porzingis*, Looney, Cauley-Stein, Turner, Oubre, Hezonja, Winslow
This was an interesting tier. Porzingis got some top 5 love, but Looney's average might actually be higher. Meanwhile, the two C's and the 3 SF's where almost a dead heat in those groupings. Also, Winslow was seemingly always 11-13 which is pretty odd to have such a tight spread for someone this low.

If I was going to list a 4th tier, then I would want more to go the scientific route I eschewed up top. There are a bunch of names that are currently anywhere from late lotto to late 1st and anywhere in-between. Some of the names that I'm seeing (in no order) include Bobby Portis, Montrezl Harrell, Jerian Grant, Trey Lyles, Devin Booker, Frank Kaminsky, Caris LaVert, Bobby Portis. Again, the problem is that these guys are all highly variable in their rankings so even if I were to come up with a consensus amoung the pundits, the team;s draft board would most probably be different.

For this exercise, I figure I'll post my personal board for our Hawks. This board does take into consideration team needs and scheme:
- Okafor: Some kids are so good that you adjust your scheme to fit them instead of the other way around.
- Anthony-Towns: Might have more upside than Okafor but much further away too. Still, seems to be exactly what our scheme craves for a C - potential stud rim protector on D who can step out to the 3PT line on O.
- Johnson: Could fit here like Kawhi does in SAS as an elite two-way wing.
- Russell: Hard call here. I think Russell could fit into the "Manu"-role that we sold to Lou Williams, but with the presence of Schröder as the secondary ball handler as backup PG, we don't need that role as much as SAS does.
- Mudiay: If we didn't have Teague and/or Schröder, then he'd be #2 on this list.
- Porzingis: Talked about him up top and it's obvious I really like him. Has the potential of KAT and even has a higher floor IMO.
- Myles Turner: Another big who can shoot some. Doesn't have the athleticism of the bigs higher on the list but has a high b-ball IQ which I think Coach Bud will love.
- Cauley-Stein: Considering his age, his lack of offensive polish and game is troublesome, but it also isn't hard to see him as the backup C from day 1.
- Looney: would be a great fit for the system, but we're jammed up with multi-talented 4's.
- Winslow: Just think that his NBA body and rebounding ability will edge out Oubre's upside and shooting.
- Oubre: Huge upside as a two way player.

Even though some still see as a team that could fall in love with a Euro, I don't see us going after Hezonja - to selfish and limited. We'd assume skip over him and "reach" from one of the names in the next tier. For now, I'll put Kaminsky here...