Anthony Edwards, G, Georgia
The Hawks need a secondary playmaker who can play alongside Young and without him. Edwards is the best option who fills that need. On other lottery teams, he easily could be that organization’s go-to scorer, but he wouldn’t need to fill that role for Atlanta because Young is and will be that player in the present and future.
Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
What the Hawks are missing in their young forwards is someone who can be a high-level playmaker. Avdija can be that kind of player in the NBA and would fit nicely with what the Hawks have in De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish.
Devin Vassell, F, Florida State
Vassell is one of the best defenders in this draft. He’s not as good as Isaac Okoro, who we’ll discuss next, but Vassell is an ideal 3-and-D wing the Hawks could use even though they drafted two of those last year in Hunter and Reddish.
Onyeka Okongwu, F/C, USC
A frontcourt of Okongwu and Collins would be highly intriguing, as both players can switch defensively and crash the boards with vigor. I believe Okongwu has the potential to be a good shooter one day, too, and having another stretch four/five on the roster would be a plus.
Killian Hayes, G, Ulm
I wouldn’t draft a pure point guard like Ball or Cole Anthony in the top eight unless I intended to flip that player for someone else. Hayes could be a lead guard in the NBA, but he has the size and ability to defend one through three in the league.
I’d have him ranked higher than Tyrese Haliburton because his playmaking ability is quite exceptional
Isaac Okoro, F, Auburn
The Hawks need more defensive talent. For the past two seasons, Atlanta has been one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Okoro would improve this team defensively immediately, in my opinion. I think Okoro is the best defender in the draft, and he has the ability to guard two through four and the five in small-ball lineups. What I like about Okoro and his fit with the Hawks is he’s a very smart passer who has some ability to run pick-and-roll if needed
Tyrese Haliburton, G, Iowa State
The biggest difference between Haliburton and Hayes when talking about how they would project with the Hawks is Haliburton’s ability to shoot, specifically off the catch. He made nearly 42 percent of his 3s this season, but because of his current shot form, he projects as more of a spot-up shooter in the NBA. And for the reasons Hayes would be a good pick for the Hawks, Haliburton has the length to guard multiple positions and can lead the non-Young minutes and provide stability for those 15ish minutes that Young is resting.