Six Players The Hawks Should Target
The Atlanta Hawks are coming off their fourth consecutive playoff appearance and are primed to remain in the hunt over the next few seasons behind All-Stars Joe Johnson and Al Horford.
Unfortunately the team has failed to advance past the second round with the current core.
The latest postseason setback, a six-game elimination at the hands of the top-seeded Chicago Bulls, has led to rampant speculation the club is looking to deal former All-Defensive forward Josh Smith to fill roster gaps at either small forward or center.
Atlanta also has a major decision to make regarding their bench depth.
Veteran Jamal Crawford, the 2010 Sixth Man of the Year, is an unrestricted free agent. The team can either extend the high scoring reserve or allow him to walk in free agency without receiving any talent in return.
Compounding the problem is the fact the Hawks dealt Jordan Crawford and their 2011 first-round draft pick to Washington back in February in order to acquire point guard Kirk Hinrich. The younger Crawford, seldom used in Atlanta, averaged over 16 points per game with the Wizards to end his rookie campaign.
That transaction left Atlanta with only the No. 48 overall pick in this year’s draft unless the team makes a deal to move up the ladder.
The 2011 draft is generally considered to boast an overall weaker set of talent than in years past, so it is going to test Hawks executive vice president and general manager Rick Sund’s ability to find a diamond in the rough.
Considering the fact only a handful of players since 2000 selected at No. 48 are still in the league, Sund’s job on June 23 appears even tougher. But there has been a decent mix of talent found late.
Here’s the notable list:
2002: Rasual Butler, SF
2002: Luis Scola, PF
2003: James Jones, SF
2003: Kyle Korver, SF
2005: Andray Blatche, PF
2005: Marcin Gortat, C
2007: Marc Gasol, C
The Hawks need depth at shooting guard behind Johnson assuming Crawford leaves via free agency, to go along with small forward and center weaknesses.
Here are some prospects that may still be around when Atlanta is on the clock draft night (in no particular order).
1. Scotty Hopson, Small Forward, University of Tennessee (6’7 / 205)
Hopson rose more than a few eyebrows when he stated he wanted to be the greatest player to ever play in the NBA during the draft combine. Lofty goals from draft prospects aren’t a new phenomenon it’s just Hopson didn’t show that type of pedigree during his collegiate career.
Still, give him credit for his confidence level and his desire to put in the gym work to be the best player he can be.
The Hawks struggled at small forward throughout the 2011 campaign. The struggle was consistently finding scoring from the position. Incumbent starter Marvin Williams was shuffled in and out of the starting lineup by rookie head coach Larry Drew and his offensive role with the team continues to diminish.
Hopson averaged 17 points per game as a junior last season on 45 percent shooting from the floor. In fact he was held out of double-digit points on only four occasions (32 games played). He has shown a consistent ability to create his own shot off the dribble and improved the range on his jumper significantly from his sophomore year.
2. Jordan Williams, Center, University of Maryland (6’9 / 250)
Williams kept his name in the draft despite not being a first round lock and currently projects to be a mid-second round selection.
As a sophomore at Maryland last season he averaged 16.9 points and 11.8 rebounds on 54 percent shooting from the floor.
If the Hawks are truly in the market for dealing Smith, which would allow Horford to play power forward full-time, then acquiring center depth becomes a primary agenda item.
Williams has re-sculpted his body somewhat since entering the draft fray losing between 10 to 15 pounds. Standing at 6’9 makes him an undersized center in the league, but the Hawks would just need him to provide toughness and rebounding on the interior.
In addition, Williams has shown a knack for being able to drill shots from the perimeter.
Hawks fans may groan at the prospect of another jump shooting big man on the perimeter but if it’s the style they insist on playing then they might as well continue to get guys who can make their system work.
3. Iman Shumpert, Shooting Guard, Georgia Tech (6’6 / 220)
Shumpert continues to rise up draft boards because of his freakish athleticism and his NBA-ready two guard frame standing at a legit 6’6.
The question is what will the Hawks decide to do with Crawford’s free agency situation?
Shumpert was a dynamic scorer at the collegiate level but really struggled behind the three-point line shooting just 28 percent (151 attempts) as a junior.
However, since he played collegiately in the metro Atlanta area there is already some built-in familiarity from fans on his game. Plus he may possess the ability to play backup point guard in a pinch.
At No. 48 there may not be a better value for the Hawks.
4. DeAndre Liggins, Shooting Guard, University of Kentucky, (6’6 / 210)
{AUTHOR_BOX}Liggins didn’t put up jaw dropping numbers during his time at Kentucky, but keep in mind he played with current NBA players Patrick Patterson, John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins.
Yet, Liggins was still able to maximize his own niche as a strong defender.
Comparisons to Memphis guard Tony Allen and Utah guard Raja Bell as well as the retired Bruce Bowen continue to surround Liggins as the draft approaches.
On a team like Atlanta where shots for a rookie will undoubtedly be limited, a guy like Liggins may be able to earn floor time by making life difficult for opposing scorers.
5. Greg Smith, Center, Fresno State, (6’10 / 250)
Smith has impressed throughout the draft prep process with his tremendous physical size and superior strength on the interior.
He wasn’t a feared scorer in college, but once again the Hawks would be looking for a young, athletic and hungry guy who can play defense and rebound on their interior with Jason Collins, Etan Thomas, Josh Powell and Hilton Armstrong all being free agents this summer.
6. Ben Hansbrough, Point/Shooting Guard, Notre Dame, (6’3 / 200)
Hansbrough continues to be a relative unknown during the draft prep process. The 2011 Big East Conference Player of the Year was one of 54 collegiate athletes invited to attend the draft combine in Chicago back in May but had to withdraw after injuring his ankle.
Known as merely a spot-up jump shooter during his first three college seasons, Hansbrough showed versatility during his senior campaign while leading the Irish to a 27-7 record.
The Hawks as a unit have a penchant for launching plenty of three-point field goals and having a marksman like Hansbrough occupying a bench spot wouldn’t be a bad thing in their motio offense which routinely gets guys open looks outside.
At No. 48 if you’re looking for a guy you can give a role (spot-up shooter) from day one and expect immediate results then Hansbrough would be worth a strong look.
Loading ...
