Starting with #1 best get for the Hawks, Fab Melo.
#1A
It wouldn't hurt the Atlanta Hawks to add some depth to their front court, which is why the College Hoops Journal's mock draft selection of Melo to the Hawks makes all the sense in the world. He's not a player who demands the ball offensively, or needs to take a lot of shots, outside of put-backs on offensive rebounds and loose balls.
That's a good thing for the Hawks, since they don't lack for guys who like to put it up. And on the defensive end, Melo could make an impact on the team immediately if everything played out this way.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Fab Melo, Syracuse
Atlanta needs youthful depth in the frontcourt behind Al Horford and Josh Smith. Melo is far from polished, but his defense would be an instant asset for the Hawks.
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-haw ... t-fab-melo
* A little Note: I was surprised to see Meyers Leonard has recently slipped out of the projected lottery. I thought he was a lock for the lotto. It would be very interesting if Leonard slipped to the Hawks and Hawks had to choose between Meyers Leonard and Fab Melo. But I doubt he slips that far and think he improves his stock in workouts.
#1B
a guy I'm very torn on is Orlando Johnson. Every year there's a guy that measures close to D-Wade and this year its Orlando Johnson. The catch is this guy has skills to back up his measurements. I'm starting to think he'd be a major steal.
From DraftExpress:
Good workout for Orlando Johnson as well. Great frame/wingspan stands out on 1st glance, but also showed a versatile skill-set. #NetsCombine
Any chance the Hawks buy a 1st rounder? He could be a future franchise SG, he looks the part.
Next are myriad of possible 2nd round gems that Hawks might be interested in.
#2A
* Alex Young – measurements stood out; IQ and talent is said to be Josh Howard level, but with some structure he could be even better. Here's Alex Young with the smooth Kobe Bryant-esque crossover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XT5sty_GtM
Like Orlando Johnson this guy could be an immediate contributor off the bench and eventually, At 6'7 with long arms and smooth fundamentals to back it up, he could be the franchise SG of the future.
#2B
* Henry Sims – at 6'11 and solid frame at 250 pounds he stood out as NBA ready; his game is a finesse one but he's physical at the same time. Funky shot form, said to be inconsisent. Skillset and all around size should be very intriguing to the Hawks though (PF/C; 7’4, 6’10; 251).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW3Oz80XwxU
* Jae Crowder - Marquette - very physical swingman, new to position, but sounds rugge + determined
* Chace Stanback – legal problem = DUI; red flag for maturity; Possibly undrafted; bring him into camp on some 10-days; pure shot form, 6'8 swingman with old school game scoring off the ball
*****
Also a bitter update on Renardo Sidney: He lost weight but he was too far out of shape and the draft combine is fast approaching. Crazy enough, he measured identical to Tiny Gallon. Has the frame but cannot lose the weight.
- Renardo Sidney measured 304 pounds with 22.35% body fat percentage, by far the most at the Nets PreDraft Combine. Crazy part is he reportedly looked like he'd slimmed down according to draftexpress. This does not bode well for him and it would be a small miracle for him to be acceptable size by the time the draft comes around and it is coming very quick. Sad because IF he was in shape he measured elite physical tools. But IF pigs could fly.
From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz1viXbiAMV
Nets Combine Measurements/Athletic Testing and Recap
May 21, 2012
The heaviest player weighed in New Jersey was Mississippi State's Renardo Sidney, at a whopping 304 pounds, nearly 40 pounds more than the next heaviest prospect. His 22.4% body fat percentage was also highest by a large margin in New Jersey, and ranks as the second highest figure ever in our extensive database ahead of Oliver Miller. Sidney quit pretty early on in the workout after being seen grasping an inhaler on the sidelines.
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Contracts
$$$ Would Be Close to the Luxury Tax I assume. Reducing Kirk's $8million helps the Hawks a lot though.
Jeff Teague $2,433,076
Joe Johnson $19,752,645
Josh Smith $13,200,000
Al Horford $12,000,000
Zaza Pachulia $5,248,750
Kirk Hinrich - $3.5 million annually for 3 years. Pretty sure you could get Jason Kidd for that much.
Orlando Johnson (buy/trade into this pick) or Alex Young - rookie deal = $473,604 (42nd from Suns)
Marvin Williams $8,287,500
Ivan Johnson - minimum - $880K?
Fab Melo - rookie Deal
Janero Pargo - vet min - $880K?
Al Thornton - vet min - $880K?
Erick Dampier - vet min - only if in shape.
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Marketability
This team would be more marketable because Horford is at the PF and its less reliant on Josh Smith jumpers. Smith's role becomes defense, fouling, and offensive rebounding/putbacks. Just hustle plays, which is where his athleticism stands out.
The ballhandlers would be Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson. The PF shooting jumpers would be Horford. Smith and Pachulia can crash the boards.
That would make the Hawks more physical (Finally an identity!) and more fun for non Hawks loyalists to watch.
If it doesn't work out then at least the Hawks got a young center in Fab Melo to help Horford in the frontcourt.
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2012-2013
1st unit
Jeff Teague | Joe Johnson | Josh Smith | Al Horford |Zaza Pachulia |
2nd unit
Kirk Hinrich| Alex Young | Marvin Williams | Ivan Johnson | Fab Melo |
reserves
Al Thornton; Janero Pargo ; trimmed down Erick Dampier