NBA Draft 2011: What Options Does Atlanta Have With The No. 48 Pick

by Kris Willis on Jun 15, 2011 7:31 AM EDT

Could Georgia junior Travis Leslie be a possibility for the Hawks in the second round? (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Without a first round pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks have very little in terms of excitement surrounding the draft. Atlanta does own a second round selection at No. 48 and that bares paying attention for a couple of reasons. For one there is a strong chance that because of the club's salary cap situation, whomever they select could find themselves on the Hawks roster as a cheap option to get to the 13 man minimum.

Another reason to pay attention is that while this draft overall is considered weak, there may not be that much of a difference in the players selected in the second round from the ones selected late in the first. Therefore it may still be possible to find someone that can provide the club with something useful.

To figure out what we are looking at, I tried to dig up a couple of mock drafts that also projected the second round. DraftExpress.com has the Hawks selecting E'Twaun Moore out of Purdue. Moore is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who averaged 18 points per game last year while shooting 45 percent from the field.

NBADraft.net projects Atlanta to select Malcolm Thomas from San Diego State. Thomas is a six-foot-nine power forward who averaged just over 11 points and eight rebounds for the Aztecs last season.

Keep in mind that at this point, it is very difficult to project the end of the first round, much less the second. So we can still expect to see some movement in the final few days leading up to the draft. One scenario worth keeping an eye on is of the stock of the three players with ties to local colleges. Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert and Georgia's Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie could be in play when the Hawks select.

Shumpert or Leslie might make the most sense for Atlanta if either were to be available as they both in theory would fill a need as a perimeter defender. Shumpert stock has been on the upswing and will in all likelihood be off the board by the time Atlanta picks but Leslie could still be around. Atlanta might not need another power forward if Thompkins were available and if selected he would likely compete with the likes of Magnum Rolle for a spot on the roster.

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Comments

I'm biased, but I want Leslie

Teague Hinrich
Joe Leslie
Marvin? Damien
Josh Zaza
Al FA?

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 15, 2011 8:26 AM EDT reply actions

Hawks are fortunate

Other than a select few, most of the players are basically even. They could probably find someone good in the second round.

by Jeffrey Thompson on Jun 15, 2011 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

This is where Sund uses his scouts and do what he's paid to do.

find the best talent available

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Jun 15, 2011 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

sund doing his job?

what is this blasphemy you speak of

I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.

by Throw on Jun 15, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, considering the repeated way the man is quoted on the draft...

it’s a fair accusation to say he just may not be doing “his job”.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 15, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd love to see evidence of this Scouting group you mention

"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.

by Jesse28 on Jun 16, 2011 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I wish we could get andrew goudelock

went to college with him. his senior year we all thought he would slide under the radar but it looks as though with the weak draft his stock has risen, not to mention he is working out for EVERYBODY. he’s a stone mountain boy also

by HoopsHighlights&Hope on Jun 15, 2011 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Based on past experience

i would brush up on international prospects. I doubt the hawks are going to waste a spot on a 2nd round pick especially with pape sy holding down a developmental spot.

by Bryant Singleton on Jun 15, 2011 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Shelvin Mack?

by TruthClarity on Jun 15, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

i doubt you get him, there are teams like the Cows that need a shooting guard

And he be taken before second round

by ATLpaul on Jun 15, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

True

Smh….

by TruthClarity on Jun 16, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

If we added Leslie

would Josh be the 2nd best dunker on the team?

"You come at the king, you best not miss."

by a hooter's baby on Jun 15, 2011 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

i really

expected this just to say NO

by Erihury on Jun 15, 2011 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Atlanta Hawks Draft Pick

The Hawks need a Guard Even if we resign Jamal Crawford, They got rid of two in trade.
Nolan Smith is projected to go at 24. He was rated 5th at PG 20.6ppg 5.1 apg 4.5 rpg,
Hm on Pg ‘s was Reggie Jackson on NBA Mock Draft,He’s Projected at 40,Isaiah Thomas was rated 10th best guard or at his position. Dante Garrett is entered in Draft He is 6ft-7 in 17.3 ppg 6.1 apg, 3.7 rpg Sr Demetri McCamey was rated 8th at pg Sr with 14.6 ppg, 6.1 apg, 3.4 rpg. Two thats not entered in draft prospects, but appear to be Seniors with good stats are Aaron Johnson Sr UAB 17.1 ppg, 7.9 apg, 2.7 rpg. Mickey McConnell G Sr St Mary’s 16.7 ppg 6.2 apg, 2.5 rpg.

by Jeff Gibson on Jun 15, 2011 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

Travis Lelsie

would be a cheap Shannon Brown. Cheap as in, I’m paying you second round $$ cheap.

by Hawk n the Ham on Jun 15, 2011 11:59 PM EDT reply actions

*Leslie

not ~~Lelsie~~

by Hawk n the Ham on Jun 16, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Checked a few other mocks this morning

In those, Shumpert was being projected around our pick, a few spots in either direction, whereas both Leslie and Thompkins are being projected much higher than our pick area. Although, it seems that Shumpert has been getting some attention through other media outlets and seems to be on the rise.

At this point, there are plenty of players who could easily represent solid value when compared to Powell, Etan Thomas, etc, but really none outside of the local boys that really get me excited about our possibilities with this pick. I really can only hope that they don’t completely waste it.

"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.

by Jesse28 on Jun 16, 2011 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

I'd have no problem with either of the 3...

if the team plans on keeping Sy and Damien Wilkins, Shumpert or Leslie would be a good compliment to them as backup Gs. And Thompkins is a skilled PF, who if he ever decides to get serious about his physical condition could be a quality player for a long, long time.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 16, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I’d be happy with either of the three. Shumpert was an excellent defender in college and his all-around solid offensive game reminds me of a much younger JJ (in that it’s all-around mind you, not necessarily in total volume). You are right on with Thompkins, but I’d also add that he should focus more on his inside game than worrying about the long jumper so much. We already have one player who thinks he has to have that shot, we don’t need another.

"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.

by Jesse28 on Jun 17, 2011 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Trey revolves around his body...

if he finally puts in the work there, he’ll have a long career. If he doesn’t, he’ll be out of the league quickly if he even makes a roster.

Shumpert would be a pretty good fit as a big ball handler. I’d rather he have a better outside shot, but at that low in the draft you’re going to be lacking significantly somewhere. With Shumpert, I could see him piggybacking Hinrich for a year and while he’d lack Hinrich’s shot, he could fit that bill physically with his handle and ability to defend the 1 and 2 spots and be a good player to fill in behind Teague after a year as Hinrich’s understudy. Leslie could be similar with Damien Wilkins. A lot better physical tools than Damien, although imo Damien was a smarter and better skilled player (at least ball handling he’s immensely better). But he could Leslie could pick up a lot hanging around Damien for a year, learning how to use his physical tools on the defensive end, and become a very good backup SG/SF after a year learning from someone who’s had to exhaust every trick of the trade keep his career alive for going on near a decade now.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 17, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions