The Hawks currently hold the 15th pick of the first round in Thursday’s NBA draft. They enter the draft with a primary need at small forward/wing defender. General manager Danny Ferry said the team will be looking for “a guy we think can play, regardless of anything, and can fit with how we want to live every day, how we want to work every day, how we want to play every day.”
Here is a look at five players they Hawks could take with their first-round selection:
Kyle Anderson, SF, UCLA: Anderson (6-foot-9, 230 pounds) had two separate workouts for the Hawks, a sign of the team's advanced interest in the small forward. The sophomore averaged 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 33.2 minutes last season. Anderson is said to have a high basketball IQ, something the Hawks covet. He could play some power forward if necessary. He showed some 3-point range in limited attempts, shooting 28-of-58 (.483) from behind the arc.
T.J. Warren, SF, North Carolina State: Warren (6-8, 220) had a pre-draft workout for the Hawks. The small forward, who also has the size and defensive ability to play power forward, can score. He was the ACC Player of Year as a sophomore last season. He averaged 24.9 points (third in NCAA Division I) and 7.1 rebounds in 35.4 minutes. He would need to improve his outside shot and he was only 31-of-116 (.267) from 3-point range last season. He did most of his scoring down low.
Rodney Hood, SF, Duke: Hood (6-8, 208) had a pre-draft workout for the Hawks. The small forward played one season at Duke and averaged 16.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 32.9 minutes. He played at Mississippi State as a freshman and averaged 10.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 32.8 minutes. He can shoot from the outside, as he made 71 of 169 (.420) 3-pointers last season. Hood could also defend at the shooting guard position.
Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia: Saric (6-10, 223) would be a bit of a gamble for the Hawks. They would have to wait for at least two years for Saric because he signed a contract to play in Turkey earlier this week. Saric was considered a lottery pick before his decision. The Hawks could be content with selecting the talented 20-year-old small forward and letting him develop overseas, as they have with last year's first-round pick Lucas Nogueira. Saric is described as a good passer and ballhandler for his size.
Adreian Payne, PF, Michigan State: Payne (6-10, 239) could be a selection if the Hawks choose to add a power forward, with Paul Millsap becoming a free agent after next season. Payne played four seasons at Michigan State and increased his production each year. He averaged 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a senior while unknowingly playing with mononucleosis. He could be considered a stretch power forward, as he shot 44-of-104 (.423) from 3-point range. He also can play with his back to the basket.
About the Author
