Armed with the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s draft, the Hawks have a chance to completely turn the organization around, but who will they select?
Marc Stein is reporting that the expectation is it will be one of the two French prospects. “The Atlanta Hawks hold the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft on June 26 and are increasingly expected to be choosing between two Frenchmen — Alex Sarr and Zacchanie [sic] Risacher,” Stein wrote.
Per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, another big man should be in consideration as well, reporting that Donovan Clingan has “fans among the Hawks’ constituency” at the top pick.
“There is some chatter, however, that Clingan has fans among the Hawks’ constituency at No. 1, meaning there’s a lot left to be played out between now and June 26.”
Adrian Wojnarowski also reported a couple of weeks ago that the Uconn product is certainly in play for the Hawks at the No. 1 overall pick, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a legit 7-foot-2 center who is already 280 pounds and can bang with the biggest bodies the Association has to offer. He’s a very fluid athlete for his size too, but his offense is questionable. Clingan isn’t a threat shooting anywhere other than right at the basket.
He’s going to be a valuable member of a club because of his ability to immediately be an impactful defender, especially at his size. He’ll carve out a nice little career, regardless of his development on the offensive end because of that defensive ability. However, if you’re the Atlanta Hawks, that can’t be what you’re investing the most valuable draft pick you’ve ever had in.
If the Hawks do end up drafting Clingan, it all but guarantees they’ll be trading Clint Capela. Hell, if the Hawks draft Alex Sarr or any other center, it practically seals Capela’s fate.
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Photo: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
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