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Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread

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What would you like to see the Hawks do with the #6 pick?

Trade the Pick for a vet
5
17%
Trade into the top 3
8
27%
Trade for later/future picks
4
13%
Draft Best Player Available
4
13%
Draft TYRESE HALIBURTON
3
10%
Draft ONYEKA OKONGWU
3
10%
Draft ISAAC OKORO
0
No votes
Draft KILLIAN HAYES
3
10%
 
Total votes: 30

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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#581 » by jayu70 » Thu Jul 2, 2020 2:49 pm

Kirschner: My final question, and it relates to the draft. After putting this breakdown together, what do you feel is needed for the Hawks come October to advance in their rebuilding process?

Vecenie: Yeah, if I was Schlenk, I’d be looking for the best non-lead ballhandler, non-center available. The team has a relative answer at center in Capela, as well as a guy in Collins who should get at least 10 minutes there per game in smaller lineups. And even if neither of those guys ends up being “the guy,” it’s easy enough to find centers on the free agency marketplace if necessary. Really, I’d just keep building the way that Schlenk has since drafting Young. Keep selecting awesome wings and forwards that can help the team grow.

In that vein, given that the Hawks likely will be somewhere between No. 4 and No. 7 on draft night, I’d look at a few names. Tyrese Haliburton would make a ton of sense for them as an off-ball guard who can play next to Young, play as a backup point guard and keep the ball moving on the perimeter even when it gets sticky with Young. Isaac Okoro makes some sense from a defensive perspective, and plenty of executives around the NBA buy into his offensive upside. Devin Vassell would represent a similar “reachy” type of pick at that level to Hunter last year as a two-way wing who can knock down shots and is a high-level off-ball defender, but in this down draft class at the top, I think such a player makes sense for Atlanta. You can certainly make a case for Deni Avdija if you think he’s going to shoot it long-term. Finally, if the team moves up in the draft lottery, Anthony Edwards possesses the upside of a two-way athletic wing who would really be helped by playing more off-ball next to Young. He has to improve drastically defensively, but the tools are there.


https://theathletic.com/1903662/2020/07/02/future-of-the-hawks-2-0-john-collins-and-projecting-atlantas-supporting-cast?source=user-shared-article
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#582 » by Jamaaliver » Sat Jul 4, 2020 6:24 pm

A player to consider in the late 1st or early 2nd round...he could help us get over missing on Brandon Clarke last summer.

2020 NBA draft profile: Paul Reed



Position: PF/C
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 220 pounds
School: DePaul

Strengths
Spoiler:
Reed has a ton of skill for a player with his size and length. He'll be a mismatch problem at the next level with his ability to put the ball on the floor against bigs and take guards into the post.
His shot is funky but it shows promise. He didn't take a ton (1.1 per game), but he hit 33 percent of his threes in college. He also made 73.9 percent of his free throws. He showed a strong midrange jumper and flashed the ability to shoot off the dribble. He also has nice touch around the rim with his floater and hook shoot and features a nasty Euro step.
Where Reed is most intriguing is defensively. At 6-foot-9 with a reported 7-foot-2 wingspan, Reed is the type of big NBA GMs salivate over. He has enough athleticism to switch out on guards on occasion. He's also extremely disruptive. He was second in the Big East in both blocks and steals and led the conference in defensive win shares and defensive rating in 2019-20.
He also proved to have a knack as a rebounder. He led the Big East in total rebounds and was second in boards per game this season.
Weaknesses
Spoiler:
While Reed's skill set is intriguing at his size, it did cause problems in the way of turnovers. As a focal point of DePaul's offense this season, Reed had a tendency to get overzealous with putting the ball on the floor.
At his size and with his athletic ability, he could be a dynamic roller at the NBA level. He didn't run a ton of pick-and-roll at DePaul and his screen setting leaves a lot to be desired.
The height and length are tantalizing, but he'll need to get stronger to finish at the rim and guard NBA bigs. The good news is he looks like he has the frame to hold more muscle.
While positionless basketball is the way the NBA is trending, I still worry a bit about where Reed fits. Will he get strong enough to hang on the block? Is he agile enough to operate on the perimeter?
Fit
Spoiler:
When I watch Reed, I see a little bit of Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel. He has more skill offensively and shows more promise with his shot than either player did coming out of college. But his frame, versatility defensively and disruptive nature are reminiscent of both former Sixers.
Players like Reed are what the NBA is looking for. He possesses ideal size and length to be switchable defensively. If he hits NBA threes, you could have an extremely versatile weapon.
At worst, Reed could be a player like Grant that provides off-ball rim protection, defensive versatility, athleticism and competent outside shooting. If he fine-tunes his offensive game, he could be more.
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#583 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Jul 5, 2020 8:06 pm

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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#584 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Jul 5, 2020 8:21 pm

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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#585 » by Jamaaliver » Tue Jul 7, 2020 11:15 pm

Guard Killian Hayes will meet with Warriors, T-Wolves

There are no transcendent talents in this draft class, but there are a number of tantalizing prospects...Among them is French guard Killian Hayes. The 18-year-old has an impressive repertoire of moves. At 6-foot-5, he has the perfect mix of shooting, playmaking ability and defensive versatility that makes him an ideal player for the modern NBA.

Hayes has not yet interviewed with the Warriors, but his agent Yann Balizoukou told the French podcast "Envergure" that his client would be interviewing with the Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, but would not talk to the Cleveland Cavaliers as they don't need a guard.

"He hasn't done Minnesota's interview but he will. Same thing for Golden State," Balizoukou said. "He won't do Cleveland, for sure. It's no secret they are not interested in a guard, so I spoke with them and the chances they draft a guard are really slim. Killian should interview with Minnesota and Golden State, though."

Hayes is quickly rising up draft boards. He has a wide variety of offensive moves and has very polished footwork for an 18-year-old. This past season he averaged 11.6 points and 5.3 assists per game while playing for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany.

Passing is Hayes' best attribute at the moment. He shows great ability to freeze defenders with hesitation moves, beat them with crossovers and then thread passes to open shooters. He did most of his scoring in the paint, showing good touch at the rim. While his 3-point shot (29 percent) isn't there yet, he did shoot 86 percent from the free-throw line...

Hayes has all the tools to develop into a star in the NBA. Some experts have said they see flashes of James Harden and Manu Ginobili in his game. But he's also only 18 and might not be the best choice for a team looking to get back to NBA title contention next season.
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#586 » by Jamaaliver » Wed Jul 8, 2020 1:35 pm

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2. Killian Hayes (Ratiopharm Ulm, PG, 2001)
Spoiler:
Image

Killian Hayes chose to sit out the resumption of German BBL play, but we've seen enough in terms of execution, production and improvement.

Ranking him in the top three means betting that his three-point-shooting numbers will approach or surpass the 35.0 percent mark. He's still only at 29.4 percent, but for an 18-year-old, the eye test, a 41.4 percent pull-up jumper, an 87.6 free-throw percentage and an uptick in threes made per game (1.5 3PTM per 40) suggest it's a bet worth making.

Otherwise, he's a convincing passer (6.2 assists per game in Eurocup) and advanced pick-and-roll ball-handler capable of manipulating defenses with his eyes and hesitation. He made exciting strides as a scorer with his shot creation and footwork for separating, as well as his finishing package of floaters and layups in the lane.

3. Onyeka Okongwu (USC, C, Freshman)
Spoiler:
Image

Onyeka Okongwu's floor may be his most appealing selling point. There's a high likelihood of his elite finishing, shot-blocking and post play translating based on his athleticism, production (16.2 points and 2.7 blocks per game) and skill level inside 12 feet.

At worst, with no improvement from here on out, he should still reach starter status for the right team by providing a high-percentage paint target and rim protection. But I'm buying the flashes of lefty hooks, face-up Eurosteps and mid-range touch.

He's going to be more than a dunker, capable of creating his own shot around the key and making mid-range jumpers, assuming the 15-of-35 jumpers and 72.0 percent free-throw mark at USC were real.

He might not have a path toward superstardom without a three-point shot or the ability to handle. But scouts have mentioned Derrick Favors as a likely outcome for Okongwu, which, in this draft, may be worthy of a top-three selection if it's close to a lock.

5. Obi Toppin (Dayton, PF/C, Sophomore)
Spoiler:
Image

There is general agreement among scouts and evaluators that Obi Toppin will be a productive NBA pro. The debate focuses on how much his defensive limitations will neutralize his scoring when assessing his value.

In this particular draft, which is filled with uncertainty, Toppin's near-guaranteed offense is worth overvaluing. He just averaged 20.0 points on 63.3 percent shooting with elite leaping ability and an expanding skill set that suggests his finishing, post play and touch should translate.

He's slow to make defensive reads, and he doesn't move well laterally away from the basket. But how much will that matter if Toppin is averaging an efficient 20 points? The strong chance of him putting up those types of numbers seems to outweigh the likelihood of him struggling on defense. His future team will just want to prioritize playing him between a wing stopper and an effective rim protector.

6. Deni Avdija (Israel, SF/PF, 2001)
Spoiler:
Image

One of the few eligible prospects back in action, Deni Avdija is using these final games to strengthen his case.

In three Israeli BSL appearances over the past two weeks, it's looked easy for the 19-year-old combo forward against lower-level competition. He's averaged 17.3 points, 6.3 boards and 3.0 assists on 7-of-15 shooting from three.

Avdija looks visibly stronger and immediately stands out physically despite his age. He's had some impressive moments handling the ball in transition or blowing by defenders for layups. And since his return, his jump shot and free throws (11-of-16) have fallen.

Some scouts still question his level of shot creation and history of shooting inconsistency, concerns that lower his perceived trajectory and lead to him topping out as a role player.

But Avdija appears to have one of the draft's higher floors based on his positional tools and versatility to dribble, finish, shot-make and pass.

8. Isaac Okoro (Auburn, SF/PF, Freshman)
Spoiler:
Image

Isaac Okoro hasn't moved much on our board since opening night, falling into our safe category of prospects who are easy to picture fitting and adding value to any lineup.

In terms of what teams can bank on translating, Okoro, 6'6", 225 pounds, already possesses a convincing mix of power, quickness and focus for defense and guarding multiple positions. He matched up with bigs, wings and guards all season, showing the ability to wall up inside and smother around the perimeter.

He's further behind offensively, but he still shot 60.7 percent inside the arc, taking quality shots and converting them as a driver, cutter, finisher and post player. And though his 2.0 assists per game don't look exciting, untapped playmaking potential shined off his occasional drive-and-kicks and pick-and-roll ball-handling possessions.

The big questions revolve around his ceiling: How will his limited shot creation and below-average shooting affect his upside, and to what degree can he improve in those areas?

9. Devin Vassell (Florida State, SF, Sophomore)
Spoiler:
Image

There is a reasonable path to plus shooting and elite defense for Devin Vassell, and the likelihood of him reaching both creates a high floor.

With an advantageous high release, he shot over 40 percent from three in both seasons at Florida State. And while his 2.8 percent steal rate and 4.1 block percentage are impressive, they still undersell his IQ for anticipating and athleticism for playmaking.

He also made promising strides this season with his pull-up game, though he didn't convert one isolation drive to the basket all season, a telling stat that highlights his limited off-the-dribble game.

12. Patrick Williams (Florida State, SF/PF, Freshman)
Spoiler:
Image

Williams' age (18), physical tools (6'8" and 225 lbs) and skill versatility create an enticing potential trajectory. He's the draft's youngest NCAA prospect and has a strong, power forward's body and the ability to hit open threes, shoot off the dribble, run pick-and-rolls and finish through contact. On the flip side, he's still far away offensively (9.2 points per game) and limited with his self creation. And despite playing around the perimeter, he doesn't demonstrate the quickest foot speed for guarding wings.

13. Tyrese Haliburton (Iowa State, PG/SG, Sophomore)
Spoiler:
Given the lack of obvious stars in this draft, Haliburton could get top-five looks if teams put extra value into fit. I question his scoring upside without blow-by burst or a pull-up game. But for a 6'5" guard, Haliburton's passing IQ, spot-up shooting and defensive anticipation hint at a role player and safe pick.
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#587 » by shakes0 » Wed Jul 8, 2020 6:18 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:
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2. Killian Hayes (Ratiopharm Ulm, PG, 2001)
Spoiler:
Image

Killian Hayes chose to sit out the resumption of German BBL play, but we've seen enough in terms of execution, production and improvement.

Ranking him in the top three means betting that his three-point-shooting numbers will approach or surpass the 35.0 percent mark. He's still only at 29.4 percent, but for an 18-year-old, the eye test, a 41.4 percent pull-up jumper, an 87.6 free-throw percentage and an uptick in threes made per game (1.5 3PTM per 40) suggest it's a bet worth making.

Otherwise, he's a convincing passer (6.2 assists per game in Eurocup) and advanced pick-and-roll ball-handler capable of manipulating defenses with his eyes and hesitation. He made exciting strides as a scorer with his shot creation and footwork for separating, as well as his finishing package of floaters and layups in the lane.

3. Onyeka Okongwu (USC, C, Freshman)
Spoiler:
Image

Onyeka Okongwu's floor may be his most appealing selling point. There's a high likelihood of his elite finishing, shot-blocking and post play translating based on his athleticism, production (16.2 points and 2.7 blocks per game) and skill level inside 12 feet.

At worst, with no improvement from here on out, he should still reach starter status for the right team by providing a high-percentage paint target and rim protection. But I'm buying the flashes of lefty hooks, face-up Eurosteps and mid-range touch.

He's going to be more than a dunker, capable of creating his own shot around the key and making mid-range jumpers, assuming the 15-of-35 jumpers and 72.0 percent free-throw mark at USC were real.

He might not have a path toward superstardom without a three-point shot or the ability to handle. But scouts have mentioned Derrick Favors as a likely outcome for Okongwu, which, in this draft, may be worthy of a top-three selection if it's close to a lock.

5. Obi Toppin (Dayton, PF/C, Sophomore)
Spoiler:
Image

There is general agreement among scouts and evaluators that Obi Toppin will be a productive NBA pro. The debate focuses on how much his defensive limitations will neutralize his scoring when assessing his value.

In this particular draft, which is filled with uncertainty, Toppin's near-guaranteed offense is worth overvaluing. He just averaged 20.0 points on 63.3 percent shooting with elite leaping ability and an expanding skill set that suggests his finishing, post play and touch should translate.

He's slow to make defensive reads, and he doesn't move well laterally away from the basket. But how much will that matter if Toppin is averaging an efficient 20 points? The strong chance of him putting up those types of numbers seems to outweigh the likelihood of him struggling on defense. His future team will just want to prioritize playing him between a wing stopper and an effective rim protector.

6. Deni Avdija (Israel, SF/PF, 2001)
Spoiler:
Image

One of the few eligible prospects back in action, Deni Avdija is using these final games to strengthen his case.

In three Israeli BSL appearances over the past two weeks, it's looked easy for the 19-year-old combo forward against lower-level competition. He's averaged 17.3 points, 6.3 boards and 3.0 assists on 7-of-15 shooting from three.

Avdija looks visibly stronger and immediately stands out physically despite his age. He's had some impressive moments handling the ball in transition or blowing by defenders for layups. And since his return, his jump shot and free throws (11-of-16) have fallen.

Some scouts still question his level of shot creation and history of shooting inconsistency, concerns that lower his perceived trajectory and lead to him topping out as a role player.

But Avdija appears to have one of the draft's higher floors based on his positional tools and versatility to dribble, finish, shot-make and pass.

8. Isaac Okoro (Auburn, SF/PF, Freshman)
Spoiler:
Image

Isaac Okoro hasn't moved much on our board since opening night, falling into our safe category of prospects who are easy to picture fitting and adding value to any lineup.

In terms of what teams can bank on translating, Okoro, 6'6", 225 pounds, already possesses a convincing mix of power, quickness and focus for defense and guarding multiple positions. He matched up with bigs, wings and guards all season, showing the ability to wall up inside and smother around the perimeter.

He's further behind offensively, but he still shot 60.7 percent inside the arc, taking quality shots and converting them as a driver, cutter, finisher and post player. And though his 2.0 assists per game don't look exciting, untapped playmaking potential shined off his occasional drive-and-kicks and pick-and-roll ball-handling possessions.

The big questions revolve around his ceiling: How will his limited shot creation and below-average shooting affect his upside, and to what degree can he improve in those areas?

9. Devin Vassell (Florida State, SF, Sophomore)
Spoiler:
Image

There is a reasonable path to plus shooting and elite defense for Devin Vassell, and the likelihood of him reaching both creates a high floor.

With an advantageous high release, he shot over 40 percent from three in both seasons at Florida State. And while his 2.8 percent steal rate and 4.1 block percentage are impressive, they still undersell his IQ for anticipating and athleticism for playmaking.

He also made promising strides this season with his pull-up game, though he didn't convert one isolation drive to the basket all season, a telling stat that highlights his limited off-the-dribble game.

12. Patrick Williams (Florida State, SF/PF, Freshman)
Spoiler:
Image

Williams' age (18), physical tools (6'8" and 225 lbs) and skill versatility create an enticing potential trajectory. He's the draft's youngest NCAA prospect and has a strong, power forward's body and the ability to hit open threes, shoot off the dribble, run pick-and-rolls and finish through contact. On the flip side, he's still far away offensively (9.2 points per game) and limited with his self creation. And despite playing around the perimeter, he doesn't demonstrate the quickest foot speed for guarding wings.

13. Tyrese Haliburton (Iowa State, PG/SG, Sophomore)
Spoiler:
Given the lack of obvious stars in this draft, Haliburton could get top-five looks if teams put extra value into fit. I question his scoring upside without blow-by burst or a pull-up game. But for a 6'5" guard, Haliburton's passing IQ, spot-up shooting and defensive anticipation hint at a role player and safe pick.



Horrible list. No Paul Reed in the top 50 invalidates the entire thing for me.
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#588 » by Jamaaliver » Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:31 am

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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#589 » by Spud2nique » Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:23 am

Jamaaliver wrote:
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We snag my man at #2! Okongwu :nod:
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#590 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Jul 12, 2020 4:04 pm

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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#591 » by Jamaaliver » Sun Jul 12, 2020 4:30 pm

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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#592 » by raleigh » Sun Jul 12, 2020 7:33 pm

Love the new poll!
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#593 » by shakes0 » Mon Jul 13, 2020 6:46 pm

raleigh wrote:Love the new poll!



really? I think it's terrible. No option for BPA which is what I would choose.

Otherwise, I wouldn't pursue any of those skill sets specifically. I would always take BPA regardless of skill set, unless that BPA plays the same position as Trae. In that case I would look to trade down.
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#594 » by raleigh » Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:04 am

BPA is subjective. This poll at least tries to visualize a team concept, something that is clearly on Pierce's mind and Schlenk's bald head.
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#595 » by Jamaaliver » Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:33 am

^meh...you're both right.

Whatever doofus put the poll together probably should have included a BPA option.

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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#596 » by Jamaaliver » Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:37 am

This makes three different mock drafts linking us to Okongwu in recent weeks...

2020 NBA Mock Draft 6.0

4. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, C/F, USC
Image

Okongwu is another top frontcourt prospect with serious momentum behind him. Though a tad undersized for a five at 6-foot-9, he already sports a rock-solid, NBA-ready frame and proved himself as a low-post scorer, forceful rim-runner (16.2 ppg), rebounder (8.6 rpg) and shot-blocker (2.7 bpg) in his lone season at USC. He’s a freak athlete that projects to be able to defend capably in space and at the cup at the NBA level.

The fact that the Hawks are currently slated to pay Clint Capela through 2023 has the potential to create a log-jam. But, Ball aside, there is a chasm between Okongwu and the next-best overall prospect on the board. Playing alongside John Collins and Trae Young, he’d bring a defensive identity Atlanta sorely lacks and dynamism that’s sure to excite.
NBC Sports -- Chicago

2020 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Looking ahead as league reboot nears

4. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, 6-9, Forward/Center, USC
Image

Okongwu gives the Hawks a versatile, low-post defender with elite shot-blocking potential who not only addresses a weakness of the Hawks, but whose presence will amplify the play of Atlanta’s two best players, Trae Young and John Collins.
NBC Sports -- Boston
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#597 » by Spud2nique » Tue Jul 14, 2020 3:05 am

Jamaaliver wrote:This makes three different mock drafts linking us to Okongwu in recent weeks...

2020 NBA Mock Draft 6.0

4. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, C/F, USC
Image

Okongwu is another top frontcourt prospect with serious momentum behind him. Though a tad undersized for a five at 6-foot-9, he already sports a rock-solid, NBA-ready frame and proved himself as a low-post scorer, forceful rim-runner (16.2 ppg), rebounder (8.6 rpg) and shot-blocker (2.7 bpg) in his lone season at USC. He’s a freak athlete that projects to be able to defend capably in space and at the cup at the NBA level.

The fact that the Hawks are currently slated to pay Clint Capela through 2023 has the potential to create a log-jam. But, Ball aside, there is a chasm between Okongwu and the next-best overall prospect on the board. Playing alongside John Collins and Trae Young, he’d bring a defensive identity Atlanta sorely lacks and dynamism that’s sure to excite.
NBC Sports -- Chicago

2020 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Looking ahead as league reboot nears

4. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, 6-9, Forward/Center, USC
Image

Okongwu gives the Hawks a versatile, low-post defender with elite shot-blocking potential who not only addresses a weakness of the Hawks, but whose presence will amplify the play of Atlanta’s two best players, Trae Young and John Collins.
NBC Sports -- Boston


Oh that’s bad. Usually means it won’t happen. :cry:
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#598 » by Radioblacktive1 » Tue Jul 14, 2020 3:47 am

It’s pretty settled that whoever we draft is likely coming off the bench right?
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#599 » by CP War Hawks » Tue Jul 14, 2020 4:36 am

Radioblacktive1 wrote:It’s pretty settled that whoever we draft is likely coming off the bench right?


I can see Antman usurping Huerter at some point. The lineup would look something like Trae : Antman : Cam : Collins : Capela. I feel 1-3 guys need to be playmaking ball handlers with Capela out there full time.

Huerter and Hunter leading the 2nd unit is intriguing especially if you can add a Van Fleet to that mix which is very much possible.
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Re: Appropriately early 2020 NBA Draft Thread 

Post#600 » by Spud2nique » Tue Jul 14, 2020 5:13 am

CP War Hawks wrote:
Radioblacktive1 wrote:It’s pretty settled that whoever we draft is likely coming off the bench right?


I can see Antman usurping Huerter at some point. The lineup would look something like Trae : Antman : Cam : Collins : Capela. I feel 1-3 guys need to be playmaking ball handlers with Capela out there full time.

Huerter and Hunter leading the 2nd unit is intriguing especially if you can add a Van Fleet to that mix which is very much possible.


2 straight dawgs in FA. Trez and FVV. Both will cost us. Both give us a certain toughness. We gotta keep our stuff flexible but add some worthy vets.

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