The 2021 NBA Draft will take place on July 29. With the draft coming up, The Game Haus will be doing draft profiles for each NBA team. NBA squads will be analyzed, team needs will be addressed and potential targets will be discussed.
Today, the Atlanta Hawks’ 2021 NBA Draft Profile will be presented.
The Atlanta Hawks had a very successful season, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Atlanta added key players like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari which elevated them to playoff contenders. After a career-high season, Trae Young is clearly Atlanta’s star player going forward. Young averaged 25.3 points and 9.4 assists while shooting 43.8% and 34.3% from three. In addition, Clint Capela had a great season averaging over 15 points and 14 rebounds per game. On top of the contributions of Young, Bogdanovic, Gallinari and Capela, the Hawks have potential emerging forwards in Deandre Hunter and Cam Reddish.
Without a doubt, Atlanta has a very good roster around their star Young. They will have some decisions to make in regard to John Collins and Kevin Huerter this offseason. Overall, the Hawks were a good shooting team this season with a good bench. Atlanta was struggling for the first half of the season, but after making Nate McMillan their head coach they took off. After the season ended, the Hawks already locked up McMillan in an extension. Atlanta could look to sure up their roster by adding more depth in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The Atlanta Hawks have two picks in this year’s NBA Draft.
First Round: Pick No. 20
Second Round: Pick No. 48
Backup Point Guard
One area the Atlanta Hawks simply did not have all season was a good backup point guard. Atlanta went without point guard depth since Young typically plays over 33 minutes per game. However, the Hawks should look to add depth behind their star player for the long term. Lou Williams is capable of running point guard just fine, but could excel more as a shot creating shooting guard. The Hawks had Kris Dunn at the end of the season, but he did not work well. Dunn only appeared in the last four games of the regular season and postseason. In the regular season, Dunn shot a measly 8.3% from the floor, you did not read that wrong 8.3%. In addition, Dunn only played 6.6 minutes per game in the postseason. The Hawks have no true point guard behind Young, they should attempt to draft one.
Stretch Forward Replacement
Another potential need is a stretch power forward. Collins could be on his way out in free agency since he will likely command big money. Collins provided a lot in the pick and roll game with Young, and could shoot the ball well. Atlanta does have Gallinari to potentially replace some of what Collins does. Having two stretch forwards in Collins and Gallinari clearly worked well for Atlanta. They should draft another stretch forward if they anticipate Collins’ departure.
Round 1, Pick 20: Tre Mann PG/SG (Florida)
Look for the Hawks to address their need of point guard depth in the first round. Atlanta could have three point guard options in Tre Mann, Jared Butler and Sharife Cooper at pick 20. Mann could be the most appealing prospect for Atlanta at pick 20. In his final season at Florida, Mann averaged 16 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Also, Mann shot 45.9% and an impressive 40.2% from three. He brings size at 6-foot-5, which allows him to play either point guard or shooting guard. Mann is a good ball handler and shooter, making him a great shot creator. Williams and Mann off the bench in the backcourt could be two instant offense guards for Atlanta.
Mann is also a good rebounding guard. Some weaknesses for Mann includes bad shot selection at times, a short wingspan at 6-foot-5 and bad defensive play at times. The Florida product is an elite athlete as well, which adds more to his offensive game. Mann could be a good scoring guard for Atlanta that immediately addresses their need for point guard depth. However, with his versatility Mann could eventually develop into a starting shooting guard to play alongside Young.
Round 2, Pick 48: Isaiah Livers SF/PF (Michigan)
In the second round, Atlanta could look to add another stretch power forward. Isaiah Livers out of Michigan projects as a small forward of power forward standing at 6-foot-7 while weighing around 230 pounds. If Livers could bulk up a little more, he could easily play power forward in the NBA. As mentioned, Atlanta could look for a potential replacement for Collins. Livers does not have the athletic ability of Collins, but can shoot well and be good in pick and roll or pop situations. Livers shooting 43.1% from three could develop into an even better shooter than Collins. Another benefit of Livers is his veteran experience, this could allow him to be an instant impact. Livers is a solid rebounder, ball handler and athlete, but he is not great in these areas. Livers could be an intriguing potential replacement for Collins.
All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference and ESPN.
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