Peachtree Hoops Mock Draft (Post-Lottery Edition)

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.