Throughout the season, NBA mock drafts projected where teams would land in the lottery. Now that the lottery happened Tuesday night in Chicago we know in which order the top teams will pick, assuming there are no trades.
The Hawks own the No. 3 pick in the lottery. Here's the players the experts project they will take with that selection, along with the prospects they predict will go Nos. 1 and 2:
Hawks: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke. (Nos. 1 and 2: DeAndre Ayton and Luka Doncic)
Comment: “While Bagley has some positional concerns defensively, his athleticism, motor, rebounding, finishing ability and overall productivity will be very attractive here.”
Hawks: Bagley III. (Nos. 1 and 2: Ayton and Doncic)
Comment: “High upside but a lot depends on what position he plays, if he can continue to develop his outside jumper, and if he can improve his defensive fundamentals.”
Hawks: Jaren Jackson Jr., C, Michigan State. (Nos. 1 and 2: Ayton and Doncic)
Comment: “Atlanta already has John Collins in place as an athletic, rim-running big, and while this will be close between Jackson and Marvin Bagley, the former’s skill set is a better complement. Jackson is extremely young for his class, and while he’s not as offensively polished or ready for the NBA, he possesses a critical duality for modern bigs: he can step out and shoot from outside, while also defending in space and protecting the rim.”
Hawks: Jackson Jr. (Nos. 1 and 2: Doncic and Ayton)
Comment: “One of the youngest players in the draft is also one of the safest bets. Jackson projects as a reliable two-way big man.
Hawks: Bagley III. (Nos. 1 and 2: Ayton and Doncic)
Comment: “I know I'm in the minority. But let the record show that, if I were in charge of a franchise, I'd probably take Bagley first in this draft.”
Hawks: Bagley III. (Nos. 1 and 2: Doncic and Ayton)
Comment: “Bagley’s foundational combination of athleticism and an elite motor is something for NBA teams to build on, but his skill set offensively is still raw. There are flashes of floor spacing, short roll playmaking and face-up drives. It all remains left hand dominant, however.”
Hawks: Bagley III (Nos. 1 and 2: Ayton and Doncic)
Comment: “Terrific at the rim, can step out with range. Defense a question.”
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