Post#1063 » by EazyRoc » Fri Feb 15, 2019 8:11 pm
If I were the Hawks and did not get a top 5 pick, I would try to pick the following players:
DeAndre Hunter - SF - Another high level defender from Virginia. Probably the best prospect out of Virginia in a while (better than Brogdon and Harris). Can shoot the 3 (38% from 3/77% FT) and attack the close out with good athleticism. Good athlete with elite (7ft+) length. Gives great effort and has great positioning and foot work. 6’7” and 225ish so he’s got an NBA body and still has potential at 20-21 to get stronger. He’s almost a sure fire impact perimeter defender in the NBA. High floor, High ceiling. He’s really flying under the radar, but I think he has Kawhi level potential. He needs to improve his handles and playmaking ability big time. That is ultimately what will separate him being an offensive role player and an offensive star.
Romeo Langford - SG/SF - I’ve already said a mouthful about him. He also needs to tighten up his handle and continue making strides as a shooter. Already a very good iso player and PnR initiator. Has a ton of defensive potential, but needs to improve effort here big time. With his elite finishing, very good mid range game, ability to get to the free throw line, and lack of athletic limitations, he really translates well to the NBA as a scorer. I think where he will really need to improve is his ball handling and defensive effort.
(Alternative: Jaxson Hayes - C - High potential defender; PnR finisher; Hustle buckets and putbacks; )
Johntay Porter - C - He would be a Top 10 pick if he didn’t tear his ACL/MCL. This injury only compounds concerns about physical fitness/athleticism. He entered the combine process last year, performed terribly, and returned back to college. Even still, he would’ve been the best big in my eyes if he didn’t get injured and used this season to get in better shape. He checks just about all boxes for the modern day big. He can shoot and pull bigs out of the paint. He’s not a great post player, but he can attack mismatches if you put someone small on him. He’s really good passer. This is what separates him from a lot of bigs. He’s got good basketball IQ all around. Defensively, he’s got a very good understanding of positioning, solid footwork, and decent size to make up for the fact that he’s not a good athlete. Ultimately, that’s what will determines his trajectory in the NBA. If he can come back in better shape than he was before the injury, this guy will be a high level glue guy like Draymond Green/Al Horford.
(Alternative(s): Ty Jerome - SG/PG - Scrappy, good defender, good shooter, good playmaker. Reminds me of Kirk Hinrich
Dedric Lawson - PF - Solid inside/out game with good ball handling and playmaking ability. Good rebounder, solid help defender. Good size @ 6’9” 235. Could even get minutes as a small ball center with a 7’3” wingspan. )
I think this draft fulfills the theme of drafting high skill/high IQ guys but with a focus on adding guys who can be high level defenders. The way this young team is currently trending, we won’t get another shot in the lottery with our own picks. We have to add players who can be impact defenders and fit within our offense as high-level role players/stars.
