With a projected $44.3 million in cap space this offseason and a desire to be a contending team, the Hawks may decide that it’s in their best interest to pursue a highly coveted free agent or trade their first-round pick to acquire an established player that would aid them in their playoff push.
They may even want to use their cap space to sign one or two high quality free agents to supplement their rotation while using the bulk of it to facilitate the trade for a star.
Nonetheless, with the trade market scarce on All-Star talent, Atlanta may be forced to keep their first-round pick no matter what they desire.
Related: Full Atlanta Hawks 2020 Salary Cap Preview
2020 NBA Draft Picks
| No. 6 overall | No. 50 overall |
Hawks Draft Needs
The Hawks have one of the best young cores in the league and with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, they can add a solid young player that will them keep their potential championship window open for a considerable amount of time.
Looking at the roster, Atlanta could use another shooting guard but a combo guard would be ideal. Not just because they need to find ways to address what happens if Trae Young isn’t available but because they need to find ways to generate offense without Young being on the court.
Last season, with Young on the court, the Hawks’ offensive rating was 112.6. With him off of the court, their offensive rating plummeted to 98.5.
Atlanta also needs to address the depth behind starter John Collins. Collins has developed into a big man who’s equally proficient around the rim and the perimeter, so it may be difficult to find a player who can replicate that. However, the 2020 NBA Draft is littered with power forward (and combo forward) prospects.
2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist
| No 6. overall | No. 50 overall |
| SG Anthony Edwards, Georgia | PG Grant Riller, Charleston |
| PF Obi Toppin, Dayton | PG Cassius Winston, Michigan St. |
| F-C Onyeka Okongwu, USC | PF Yoeli Childs, Brigham Young |
| G-F Isaac Okoro, Auburn | PF Mamadi Diakite, Virginia |
| PF Patrick Williams, Florida St. | SG Jay Scrubb, John A. Logan |
What The Mocks Are Saying
| The Ringer | Devin Vassell (No. 9 via trade) |
| The Athletic | Tyrese Haliburton (No. 6), Jay Scrubb (No. 50) |
| USA TODAY Sports | Tyrese Haliburton (No. 6) |
| CBS Sports | Onyeka Okongwu (No. 6) |
| The Score | Isaac Okoro (No. 6) |
Projected Roster
| PG | Trae Young |
| SG | Kevin Huerter |
| SF | Cam Reddish |
| SF | De’Andre Hunter |
| PF | John Collins |
| C | Bruno Fernando |
| C | Dewayne Dedmon |
| C | Clint Capela |
