The Atlanta Hawks were able to fill a need in Thursday’s NBA Draft by adding some athleticism to the wing position with the additions of Baylor’s Taurean Prince and St. Joseph’s DeAndre Bembry. It is nearly impossible to grade a draft class the day after the big event when players are still months away from really suiting up for their teams, still it is a fun exercise to see how the experts think they stack up.
ESPN.com’s Chad Ford viewed drafting Prince at No. 12 as a bit of a reach but gives the Hawks a solid grade of "B" for their night and had some glowing words on Bembry.
We had Prince rated as a bubble first-rounder. He's a 3-and-D wing who theoretically could find a role similar to that of DeMarre Carroll. But he's been more promise than production the past two years at Baylor. He was solid but never quite lived up to the talent teams saw.
I'm much more bullish on Bembry. His old-school YMCA-type game is just fun to watch. Next to Ben Simmons, he might be the best passer in the draft.
Ford also praised the pick of Isaia Cordinier in the second round calling him a good value and someone that could be a good asset for Atlanta down the road.