What if Zion Williamson...

[Jamaaliver]

Adam Silver Should Be Rooting for the Hawks to Win the NBA Draft Lottery

Granted, the Hawks are the Zion destination that should have the highest approval rating across the board. Zion in Atlanta would mean a decade of alley-oops from Trae Young.

Meanwhile, Zion's passing would be a deadly secondary weapon in pick-and-rolls with Young, John Collins would be a floor-spacing 20-and-10 third option who would also be dunking dudes into oblivion, and Kevin "Red Velvet" Huerter would be floating around the perimeter and hitting open threes. I don't know if that team could ever guard anyone, but if they are scoring 135 points-per-game on dunks and 30-foot threes and Trae Young floaters, I don't know if it would matter.

SI.com

I agree with this take. Who could guard us?

Adding Zion Williamson and De'Andre Hunter to this starting 5 might be the most perfect offensive starting five in the league.

IDK how they'd manage defensively, but they would light up the scoreboard.

[atlantabbq99]

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[Jamaaliver]

Yeah, boy!

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Best Landing Spots for Duke Star Zion Williamson in 2019 NBA Draft



1. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have something brewing in Atlanta with Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. They also play at the NBA's fastest pace, a selling point for the ultra-athletic Williamson who, at 285 pounds, ranked in the 92nd percentile this season in transition scoring, per Synergy Sports.

Williamson would benefit from having a playmaking passer in Young, a rookie tied for fourth in the NBA in assists per game (with 7.8).

Shooters around Williamson would be another plus—Atlanta ranks fourth in threes made per game, as both Young and Huerter rank amongst the top five rookies in three-pointers made this season. And that's with Collins just getting started. His development (35.8 percent on threes) and potential to evolve into a legitimate stretch big would lead to a smoother fit alongside Williamson.

Either way, Collins and Williamson would form one of the league's most destructive, bouncy pairings around the basket.

A franchise on the rise with a need for another big, Atlanta would be a perfect place for Williamson to play some small-ball 5.

Bleacher Report

[peoriabird]

A franchise on the rise with a need for another big, Atlanta would be a perfect place for Williamson to play some small-ball 5.

Bleacher Report[/quote]
Except John Collins is not a center...I'm just not feeling a Collins/Zion front court.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

If Williamson were to be a Hawk, and if you keep Collins, seems to me you have to engineer a very different offense that is more like a 1 wing/3 forward offense than the 3 wing/1forward small ball offense that Schlenk's former employer popularized.

[~Wretch~]

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It's such a perfect match for Trae... I'm sitting here imagining the energy and competitive fire generated by those two.

It'd be CRAZY.

[Spud2nique]

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It's such a perfect match for Trae... I'm sitting here imagining the energy and competitive fire generated by those two.

It'd be CRAZY.

got me daydreaming now...

Please basketball Gods please! We’ve done the right things as an organization for the past 10+ years. Give us a chance at it!

[Jamaaliver]

‘The new Lob City’: How winning the lottery and drafting Zion Williamson could transform Hawks



Imagine​ a scenario in​ which​ John​ Collins grabs​ a rebound on​ the defensive​ end, passes​ the​ ball​ to Trae Young to​ start​ a fastbreak​​ and Zion Williamson is sprinting down the court to catch a halfcourt alley-oop from Young that sends State Farm Arena into a frenzy.

There’s only a 10.5 percent chance of that happening, but that dream turning into reality would transform the Hawks from national obscurity into one of the must-watch teams in the NBA overnight.

Atlanta plays a fast-paced, uptempo brand of basketball that aligns perfectly with Williamson’s strengths. Not only would he benefit with the Hawks, but the core of Young, Collins and Kevin Huerter would be able to unlock even more of its talents.

Defenders would have to pick their poison if the Hawks’ dream draft scenario plays out to perfection. When Huerter was thinking about the possibility of this happening, he couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head at how explosive the offense could be.

Every Hawks player asked to speak for this story is hoping that the narrative is written in Atlanta.

“Bro, let’s be clear about one thing, he would be the perfect fit for anybody,” Omari Spellman said. “He’s the consensus best player in the draft, and it’s not close. So, of course, I would want him here.”

The Athletic

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[Jamaaliver]

Zion Williamson Would Put These NBA Teams on a Path to Greatness

Based on rosters, rebuilding situations and fit, adding Williamson to these select lineups could turn them from afterthoughts into feared up-and-coming teams.


Atlanta Hawks



Odds to win No. 1 pick: 10.5 percent

A third consecutive big draft for the Atlanta Hawks could put them on a similar path in the East blazed by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Adding Williamson to a lineup with Trae Young and John Collins could mean three potential stars, each younger than 22. The game slowed down for Young in the final months, as the rookie point guard averaged 23.6 points and 9.1 assists over his last 34 games. And Collins became a 19.5-point-per-game scorer with a 21.9 player efficiency rating (top 30) by year No. 2, per ESPN.com.

Williamson would give Atlanta an explosive punch of off-ball offense. He'd benefit from a setup man and shot-creator like Young, while the development of Collins' three-point shot should create more space and a suitable fit with the 6'7", 285-pounder.

Few opposing front courts could ultimately match up athletically with a Collins-Williamson duo.

The projected No. 1 pick would also add needed defensive activity and versatility.

With a roster that already has star-caliber prospects and no long-term contract commitments, the Hawks would become one of the East's teams to start fearing by acquiring Williamson.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

It's seemingly a consensus at this point...

Who can unlock Zion's superstar potential? We rank every lottery team



Our NBA experts rank the 14 teams with a chance at the No. 1 pick based on how likely they are to help Williamson reach his superstar ceiling. They also give pros and cons for each pairing.

1. Atlanta Hawks | 54 points (out of a possible 56)

No. 1 pick odds: 10.5 percent

Pro: The Hawks finished first or second on every ballot, and for good reason. Having a pass-first point guard in Trae Young who can also play off the ball thanks to his dynamic shooting ability would make for an electric pairing with Zion. Williamson would be able to unlock his potential as a primary creator while also benefiting from the Hawks' league-leading pace.

Con: Zion will need to improve his shooting and Young might need to dial back his usage to make this offense work. But Williamson is such an unselfish teammate and extraordinary talent that these things are unlikely to be major issues long-term. -- Jonathan Givony

ESPN Insider

Spoiler:

:sour:

2. Dallas Mavericks | 50 points

No. 1 pick odds: 6.0 percent

Pro: Zion's transition brilliance and explosive lob-catching would shine even brighter alongside a playmaker like Luka Doncic, and he's an ideal fit next to Kristaps Porzingis on both ends.

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[King Ken]

Atlanta and Dallas does make the most sense. Both teams have high end passers and shooting. Something the others greatly lack.

[Radioblacktive1]

It's seemingly a consensus at this point...

Who can unlock Zion's superstar potential? We rank every lottery team



Our NBA experts rank the 14 teams with a chance at the No. 1 pick based on how likely they are to help Williamson reach his superstar ceiling. They also give pros and cons for each pairing.

1. Atlanta Hawks | 54 points (out of a possible 56)

No. 1 pick odds: 10.5 percent

Pro: The Hawks finished first or second on every ballot, and for good reason. Having a pass-first point guard in Trae Young who can also play off the ball thanks to his dynamic shooting ability would make for an electric pairing with Zion. Williamson would be able to unlock his potential as a primary creator while also benefiting from the Hawks' league-leading pace.

Con: Zion will need to improve his shooting and Young might need to dial back his usage to make this offense work. But Williamson is such an unselfish teammate and extraordinary talent that these things are unlikely to be major issues long-term. -- Jonathan Givony

ESPN Insider

Spoiler:

:sour:

2. Dallas Mavericks | 50 points

No. 1 pick odds: 6.0 percent

Pro: Zion's transition brilliance and explosive lob-catching would shine even brighter alongside a playmaker like Luka Doncic, and he's an ideal fit next to Kristaps Porzingis on both ends.

The overwhelming consensus makes it less likely to happen. People would definitely know something is up.

[Jamaaliver]

I just hope we get the best pick

Did anyone check out the espn Zion to 14 teams highlights? Trae to Zion had me

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/26679769/who-unlock-zion-superstar-potential-rank-every-lottery-team

Thanks Spank2nique for posting an "insider" story that no one can see. TYPICAL.

See the excerpt above in the post above.

[Spud2nique]

It's seemingly a consensus at this point...

Who can unlock Zion's superstar potential? We rank every lottery team



Our NBA experts rank the 14 teams with a chance at the No. 1 pick based on how likely they are to help Williamson reach his superstar ceiling. They also give pros and cons for each pairing.

1. Atlanta Hawks | 54 points (out of a possible 56)

No. 1 pick odds: 10.5 percent

Pro: The Hawks finished first or second on every ballot, and for good reason. Having a pass-first point guard in Trae Young who can also play off the ball thanks to his dynamic shooting ability would make for an electric pairing with Zion. Williamson would be able to unlock his potential as a primary creator while also benefiting from the Hawks' league-leading pace.

Con: Zion will need to improve his shooting and Young might need to dial back his usage to make this offense work. But Williamson is such an unselfish teammate and extraordinary talent that these things are unlikely to be major issues long-term. -- Jonathan Givony

ESPN Insider

Spoiler:

:sour:

2. Dallas Mavericks | 50 points

No. 1 pick odds: 6.0 percent

Pro: Zion's transition brilliance and explosive lob-catching would shine even brighter alongside a playmaker like Luka Doncic, and he's an ideal fit next to Kristaps Porzingis on both ends.

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I just want Stern and the NBA, I mean Silver to stick to their theme of the past 30 years.

1. Send the best draft pick to his nearest of home destination. Zion would be Hawks or Hornets being from South Carolina.

2. If not closest geographic destination then the best possible fit for a smooth transition into the pros. That’s with Trae, a pass first point.

3. They did it with Lebron to Cleveland, Rose to the Bulls and others. OUR TURN!

[kg01]

It's seemingly a consensus at this point...

Who can unlock Zion's superstar potential? We rank every lottery team



Our NBA experts rank the 14 teams with a chance at the No. 1 pick based on how likely they are to help Williamson reach his superstar ceiling. They also give pros and cons for each pairing.

1. Atlanta Hawks | 54 points (out of a possible 56)

No. 1 pick odds: 10.5 percent

Pro: The Hawks finished first or second on every ballot, and for good reason. Having a pass-first point guard in Trae Young who can also play off the ball thanks to his dynamic shooting ability would make for an electric pairing with Zion. Williamson would be able to unlock his potential as a primary creator while also benefiting from the Hawks' league-leading pace.

Con: Zion will need to improve his shooting and Young might need to dial back his usage to make this offense work. But Williamson is such an unselfish teammate and extraordinary talent that these things are unlikely to be major issues long-term. -- Jonathan Givony

ESPN Insider

Spoiler:

:sour:

2. Dallas Mavericks | 50 points

No. 1 pick odds: 6.0 percent

Pro: Zion's transition brilliance and explosive lob-catching would shine even brighter alongside a playmaker like Luka Doncic, and he's an ideal fit next to Kristaps Porzingis on both ends.

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I just want Stern and the NBA, I mean Silver to stick to their theme of the past 30 years.

1. Send the best draft pick to his nearest of home destination. Zion would be Hawks or Hornets being from South Carolina.

2. If not closest geographic destination then the best possible fit for a smooth transition into the pros. That’s with Trae, a pass first point.

3. They did it with Lebron to Cleveland, Rose to the Bulls and others. OUR TURN!

Stern would have the gonads to send the pick to a market of his choosing. Silver would act like he has them (gonads) but, in reality, he'd be on the phone with Chris Paul and Lebron asking them what he should do with the #1 pick.

Also, I think it's cute how you let NightTraen call you 'spank2nique'. Heh, spanky

[Spud2nique]

It's seemingly a consensus at this point...

ESPN Insider

Spoiler:

:sour:

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I just want Stern and the NBA, I mean Silver to stick to their theme of the past 30 years.

1. Send the best draft pick to his nearest of home destination. Zion would be Hawks or Hornets being from South Carolina.

2. If not closest geographic destination then the best possible fit for a smooth transition into the pros. That’s with Trae, a pass first point.

3. They did it with Lebron to Cleveland, Rose to the Bulls and others. OUR TURN!

Stern would have the gonads to send the pick to a market of his choosing. Silver would act like he has them (gonads) but, in reality, he'd be on the phone with Chris Paul and Lebron asking them what he should do with the #1 pick.

Also, I think it's cute how you let NightTraen call you 'spank2nique'. Heh, spanky

I don’t F around with the help Tony.

[Atlantaholic]

It's clear the Hawks would be the best match for Zion out of all of the teams with the highest odds. It's all up to the ping pong balls though.