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The lottery result are official with the Celtics and Lakers as the big winners of the night. With the official results known, here is the best prediction at what the draft might look like if it were held today. There is no one better at covering prospects and making accurate draft predictions than DraftExpress. The first 18 picks come from their mock earlier today which stands to be closer to reality than my own opinions (which may be more expansively found in this week's Cawcast).
For that reason, these players are not in the order I rank them but what DX projects at this time. From No. 19 to No. 31, I have interjected some of my own views and take on Atlanta's selections as if I am the General Manager -- which is easier since the Atlanta Hawks currently do not have one (note: I am currently in a job search and extremely affordable).
1 Boston Celtics
Markelle Fultz, PG, FR (6'4, 195) Washington
2 Los Angeles Lakers
Lonzo Ball, PG, FR (6'6, 190) UCLA
3 Philadelphia 76ers
Josh Jackson, SF, FR (6'8, 203) Kansas
4 Phoenix Suns
Jayson Tatum, SF, FR (6'8, 204) Duke
5 Sacramento Kings
De'Aaron Fox, PG, FR (6'4, 170) Kentucky
6 Orlando Magic
Lauri Markkanen, PF, FR (7'0, 225) Arizona
7 Minnesota Timberwolves
Malik Monk, SG, FR (6'4, 197) Kentucky
8 New York Knicks
Jonathan Isaac, PF, FR (6'11, 205) Florida State
9 Dallas Mavericks
Dennis Smith, PG, FR (6'3, 195) N.C. State
10 Sacramento Kings
Frank Ntilinka, PG, 19 (6'5, 170) France
11 Charlotte Hornets
Zach Collins, PF/C, FR (7'0, 230) Gonzaga [Hawks Target?]
12 Detroit Pistons
Donovan Mitchell, SG, SO (6'3, 210) Louisville
13 Denver Nuggets
Jarrett Allen, C, FR (6'11, 224) Texas [Hawks' Target]
14 Miami Heat
OG Anunoby, SF/PF, FR (6'8, 215) Indiana
15 Portland Timberwolves
Justin Jackson, SF, JR (6'8, 193) North Carolina
16 Chicago Bulls
John Collins, PF, SO (6'10, 225) Wake Forest
17 Milwaukee Bucks
Ike Anigbogu, C, FR (6'10, 230) UCLA [Hawks' Target?]
18 Indiana Pacers
Luke Kennard, SG, SO (6'6, 202) Duke
19 Atlanta Hawks
Caleb Swanigan, PF/C, SO (6'9, 247) Purdue
On this board, this would be an opportunity to trade down. Kennard and Collins are two players I would target and both are gone. An international pick is an option here with three intriguing prospects on board (Jeanne, Pazecniks, and Kurucs), but none of the three stand out clearly enough to be an obvious choice. It could be worth moving out (a 25 and 35 trade with Magic may be an opportunity). If the Hawks make the pick then Caleb Swanigan of Purdue is the highest guy on my board at this point. An early second-round pick on most boards, he is a lottery-level talent who can rebound and make free throws to close out games--a skill all playoff teams need. However, his stock does appear to be slipping and he could be available at #31.
20 Portland Trailblazers
Justin Patton, C, FR (7'0, 226) Creighton [Hawks' Target?]
21 Boston Celtics
Rodions Kurucs, SF, 19 (6'8, 190) Latvia
22 Brooklyn Nets
Terrance Ferguson, SG, 19 (6'7, 186) USA [Hawks' Target?]
23 Toronto Raptors
T.J. Leaf, PF, FR (6'10, 220) UCLA
24 Utah Jazz
Ivan Rabb, PF/C, SO (6'10, 215) California
25 Orlando Magic
Isaiah Hartenstein, PF/C, 19 (7'0, 225) Germany
26 Portland Trailblazers
Jonathan Jeanne, C, 20 (7'2, 210) France
27 Brooklyn Nets
Harry Giles, C, 19 (6'11, 222) Duke
28 Los Angeles Lakers
Tyler Lydon, SF/PF, SO (6'10, 225) Syracuse
29 San Antonio Spurs
Anzejs Pasenciks, C, 22 (7'2, 229) Latvia [Hawks' Target?]
30 Utah Jazz
Mathias Lessort, PF/C, 22 (6'9, 250) France
31 Atlanta Hawks
Derrick White, G, SR (6'5, 200) Colorado
The ultimate off-the-radar guy, White transferred to Colorado after playing Division II basketball earlier in his career. Projected as the first senior--and only the second upperclassmen--to be drafted, his shooting stroke and experience would be a strong incentive for the Hawks in this spot. Atlanta needs at least one rotation player out of this draft due to financial constraints and a high number of free agents. If Hardaway is not re-signed, White is one of the few players in this draft who could find meaningful rotation minutes for a playoff team.
If this was the actual NBA Draft, Swanigan and White would be solid choices. Several evaluations would have White ahead of Swanigan. In multiple simulations, the No. 19 pick often leaves Atlanta having to reach a bit for the right fit while No. 31 consistently comes out with a lot of value left on the board--either an undervalued and experienced college player or a talented international who can be stashed. Hopefully draft night will result in the right player falling to the Hawks at their present draft position or in a trade to secure at least one player with a reasonable chance to contribute in 2017-18.