Imagining Every NBA Team's 2019 Draft WhiteboardAtlanta Hawks
Projected Picks: No. 5, No. 7 (via Dallas Mavericks)
Odds to Win No. 1 Pick: 10.5 percent
Top Target if Williamson is Gone: RJ Barrett versus Jarrett Culver
The Hawks are projected to pick at No. 5, but they also have the Dallas Mavericks' selection if it falls no earlier than No. 6. With their own choice, the Hawks' decision could come down to Barrett and Culver, since Ja Morant and Trae Young are both ball-dominators unlikely to fit alongside one another.
Atlanta would presumably target Barrett first, as he's best in transition and would seem to work well playing for the No. 1 team in pace, per ESPN. He'd give the Hawks more downhill offense than Kevin Huerter can provide.
Culver—a well-rounded two-way shooting guard able to work on and off the ball—also jumps out as a fit. Between him, Young and Huerter, Atlanta would have a sound mix of shot-creation, attacking, shooting and playmaking. No. 5 Overall: De'Andre Hunter versus Cam Reddish
The Hawks could use a defensive center, but it may be smarter to grab one with Dallas' pick.
At No. 5, they should be looking at three-and-D wings/forwards such as Hunter and Reddish. The former is the safer, more defense-oriented prospect. The latter, still only 19 years old, could offer a little extra upside but also more risk after an inefficient freshman season.
As the Final Four approaches, Hunter is the early guess.
Dallas Pick: Texas' Jaxson Hayes versus Gonzaga's Brandon Clarke
John Collins has evolved into an inside-out scorer at the 4 or 5. The Hawks now need a rim protector or defensive ace to pair with him.
Hayes, a mobile and athletic rim-runner, is only 18 years old and just averaged 2.2 blocks in only 23.3 minutes. He'd seem like the favorite over the 22-year-old Clarke, though Gonzaga's breakout energizer also has a strong case. The forward finished second nationally in player efficiency rating, per RealGM, while swatting 3.1 shots in 28.1 minutes. He's the more NBA-ready of the two.