Wednesday, June 17, 2015

2015 Draft Preview: Atlanta Hawks

2015-16 Depth Chart
PG: Jeff Teague/Dennis Schroder/Shelvin Mack
SG: Kyle Korver/Kent Bazemore/John Jenkins
SF: Thabo Sefolosha/Austin Daye
PF: Mike Scott
C: Al Horford/Mike Muscala

2015 Free Agents
C Pero Antic (RFA)
PF Elton Brand
SF DeMarre Carroll
SG John Jenkins
PF Paul Millsap

2015 Draft Picks
1-15 via Brooklyn
2-20(50) via Toronto
2-29(59)

Team Needs
The biggest areas of need will be created if either Paul Millsap or DeMarre Carroll leave in free agency. I would say the former is very unlikely, with the latter fairly likely. Under that assumption, Atlanta will be looking for a wing to take Carroll's role as defensive stopper/cutter/shooter. Even if Millsap returns, Atlanta is still thin in the frontcourt and could look in that direction if one of the better big men fell into their laps. Another issue for Atlanta is that when Kyle Korver was off the court or in a slump, their offense suffered. That is not to say that they could find a shooter like him, as historic great, but some approximation of a superior outside threat would be a serious boon to Atlanta's offense.

Potential Fits
I think if Devin Booker of Kentucky or Arkansas' Bobby Portis falls to them, they would be all over it. Booker for his shooting and Portis for his diverse skills for a big man. If they are off the board, Atlanta could look at UCLA forward Kevon Looney, who has tremendous length and a developing jumpshot, but is also a bit of a project. R.J. Hunter of Georgia State is an excellent shooter with the vision and passing to fit in Atlanta's ball-movement system, but would be more of a Korver backup than a Carroll replacement. The best replacement the Hawks are going to find to replace his defense and cutting ability is Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. He is probably a better defender than Carroll and excels making smart cuts to the basket. The shooting is another matter, but Atlanta seems to have been able to get the most out their shooters and have other options that can make Hollis-Jefferson work. Wisconsin's Sam Dekker is another interesting option because he could theoretically fill two roles, and Carroll's replacement and Millsap insurance... if his jumpshot comes along and he can defend either wings and bigs, if not both.

Mock Draft
15. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, SF, Arizona
50. Josh Richardson, SG, Tennessee
59. Alan Williams, C, UC-Santa Barbara

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