As we inch closer to the NBA Draft tonight, pundits aren’t any closer to knowing who the Hawks are going to take No. 1 overall, or even if they’ll make the pick. Anything is fair game at this juncture in the process, and a trade hypothetical from Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes is intriguing.
Atlanta Hawks Acquire: No. 4 pick in 2024 draft, 2025 first-round pick
San Antonio Spurs Acquire: No. 1 pick in 2024 draft, AJ Griffin
Nobody seems to know what the Hawks want to do with the No. 1 pick. Hell, I don’t think the club knows what they want to do. I imagine they like one of the top prospects — Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, or Donovan Clingan — but would prefer to trade down for better value.
In this trade hypothetical, they would be able to do just that. Last week, Hawks GM Landry Fields told members of the media that “we’re planning on picking one.”A lot can change in a week’s time, especially if the Spurs are willing to give up Atlanta’s 2025 first-round pick.
AJ Griffin was essentially phased out of the rotation last year for reasons Hawks fans still don’t know. If Quin Snyder doesn’t see a role for the former first-round pick, shipping him off to San Antonio along with the No. 1 pick in exchange for No. 4 and the Hawks own first-rounder next year would be ideal.
Obviously, the Spurs aren’t in a position where they have to help the Hawks out, given the lack of overall talent in this year’s draft class. Fields should be doing all he can to recoup some of that draft capital back, though. At the very least, it opens up more possibilities for the club.
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Photographer: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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