Atlanta Hawks: Don’t Expect Immediate Help From Draft
Kevin Seraphin is one of the project centers who might be available to the Hawks in the draft.
Hawks assistant GM Dave Pendergraft watched dozens of college prospects throughout the season. When it ended, he was “excited” about the possibilities for the team’s No. 24 overall draft pick, figuring the Hawks would have several good prospects to choose from during the June 24 draft.
But then Pendergraft scrutinized Synergy Sports video and data, evaluated prospects’ workouts and interviews and took note of their physical measurements.
“Now, as things start to dwindle down, I’m really not so sure about that,” Pendergraft said today.
Pendergraft was fresh back from pre-draft workouts for 42 less-heralded prospects in Minneapolis this week. Of those players, Pendergraft said “a handful” were first-round material. With the Hawks picking near the bottom of the first round, those workouts plus the 23 prospects they plan to bring in between now and the draft are more important than the Chicago camp for top prospects (which have become less useful, anyway, with most players opting not to work out).
Pendergraft ranks the top five prospects, in order, as Kentucky’s John Wall, Ohio State’s Evan Turner, Kentucky’s DeMarcus Cousins, Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors and Syracuse’s Wesley Johnson. He said one or two of those players will face a steep learning curve but that all should be good players by the end of the season.
After those five, he said the draft becomes “very, very hard to predict” but he thinks teams can find rotation players as low as No. 20 in the order, depending on their needs. “If that player is a worker, by the All-Star break they will be giving you some minutes,” he said.
The talent drops off after those top 15 or 20. So unless the Hawks move up in the order, Pendergraft doesn’t expect this draft to be deep enough for the Hawks to find a player who’s ready to contribute now.
“I think we will get a piece,” he said. “I don’t think we will necessarily get a rotational piece. We can get a player who after some seasoning can stay in the NBA for a while, that can make a career out of it. If we can keep our roster intact I don’t see a lot of playing time. It will be a situation where we take advantage of our D-League affiliate.”
The Hawks have rarely used the D-League: Othello Hunter and Thomas Gardner played a couple games there in 2008-09 but that’s the only time in four years the Hawks sent their young players down to get burn.
Because of the low expectations for the 24th pick, Pendergraft said Joe Johnson’s future has no bearing on the Hawks’ draft preparations. They aren’t going to draft a wing player who can come in and play, anyway, so if Johnson leaves they’ll need to find a veteran to fill that role.
The Hawks were in the market for a shooter at the trade deadline and later had interest in signing free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Now they’d like to find a shooter or big man in the draft.
Word out of Chicago and Minneapolis was that the center group’s measurements were disappointing as a whole. “I think that happens every year,” Pendergraft said. “They never measure as tall as you want them to measure.”
At least one mock draft predicts the Hawks will select center Kevin Seraphin, who measured 6-9 without shoes and has a 7-3 wingspan.
“Unfortunately, the big bodies that fall to us will be more in the project range,” Pendergraft said. “You have to look at NBA free agents [at center] and say they probably are a better way to go. But if we are going to pick a skill, a need, we need one more shooter.”
Is this draft deep with shooters?
“No,” Pendergraft said. “That’s the [freakin'] problem. There are bunch of guards but not a lot of shooters. There are some good players but they can’t make shots. And the better shooters can’t play a lick of defense.”
The next important evaluation period for the Hawks is another pre-draft camp in New Jersey June 9-11. The Hawks will start bringing in prospects for workouts on Jan. 13 and continue to do so up until June 22.
“Coming into this thing I thought there would be maybe six or seven guys there at [No. 24],” Pendergraft said. “Now that’s shrunk a little bit to maybe three or four. But you never know. The good thing is it’s not going to make or break us because we’ve got good players coming back.”
MC
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326 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
May 31st, 2010
1:02 pm
Ken, I don’t like the idea of childress at SG, plus I don’t see him coming back to the hawks.
I like his game and basketball IQ, so i hope him and sund can make up. And if not, then sign and trade him. Because we need all hands on deck, not in Greece.
JeJe
May 31st, 2010
1:22 pm
Can we PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
SIGN MATT BARNES?
He is EXACTLY the @$$hole d-bag tough defender this team needs. WE HAVE NO ONE TO COMMIT HARD FOULS.
PLEASE SIGN THIS GUY. HE WILL COST NOTHING. GIVE HIM 3 YEARS IF U HAVE TO
lewis
May 31st, 2010
1:57 pm
Sign Matt Barnes to start or come off the bench?
If we could get him for 2-2.5 mil / yr, he could take over Mo Williams spot. If he that much better than Mo tho?
lewis
May 31st, 2010
1:57 pm
and by mo williams i mean mo evans
Big Ump
May 31st, 2010
3:24 pm
Ken hang in there. I know you will pull it out. My father was 70 years old when he had it. He’s 94 now and doing very well. You in my prayers. If you ever need to talk, let me know.
Grandad
May 31st, 2010
4:07 pm
Ken S. – I don’t think Sund & or Childress want each other.
Grandad
May 31st, 2010
4:29 pm
Big Ray or Sautee:
If either of yawl know how;
[I know he won't]
let Ken S. know that I really want to help in some way.
I ain’t got much money, but I’m a willing servant.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3,4
terrell
May 31st, 2010
5:00 pm
Good read on the Hawks draft.
http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2010/5/31/1494661/around-the-association-2010-nba
Ken Strickland
May 31st, 2010
5:38 pm
GRANDAD-you and the rest of the HAWK NATION have given me all I need, thanks for your support.
BIG UMP-your support is especially welcomed. We’ve have some serious knockdown drag out differences of opinions, but when it comes down to it, like I said earlier, that energy is transformed into a more positive force. THANKS.
NEWKID-After reading everything on prostate cancer, I can say that diet is a big factor in the process of controlling it. And if it’s a big factor in controlling it, it’s has to be just as big in preventing it. I’m going to change my diet immediately.
I was at Walmart Saturday and had to wait for an elderly man with a cane to slowly walk past a parking spot I was going to pull into. I rolled my window down and asked him if I could help him in anyway, and he said no, “I’m just dealing with being 88yrs old.”
After I finished shopping and exited the building, there he was sitting in a motorized basket waiting for me to come out. He summoned me to his side and said he was a Tuskegee Airman, and showed me his ID to prove it. I spent the next 30 to 40 mins talking to him, and he told me he had prostate cancer. I told him I did also, and he started telling me about how diet has made a difference in helping him battle it.
After we finished talking, he gave me his number, and I saluted him and let him know how proud I was to have met another American hero. The way that whole episode took place, and the way all of you have responded, I can’t see my situation having anything but a positive outcome. And who ever we hire as HC will get my total support.
OBRIEN-I’m aware of the issues between JChildress and RSund, but Sund can’t allow personal issues and opinions to stand in the way of what’s best for the team. Hell, wasn’t harboring that same attitude a major reason he fired Woodson? I don’t particularly care for LJames, but I would love to have him on our team. He needs to reach out to Chills and see if they can reach an accord that’s mutually beneficial to both parties.
With Teague’s penetrating ability, and him controlling the ball, and Chills ability to be so effective without the ball, he could be very a very effective SG. Besides, if we have a solid half court OFF with good player and ball movement, it wouldn’t matter much who’s playing SF or SG.
Jody
May 31st, 2010
5:41 pm
terrell,
Indeed, that was a great read and for the most part, it was spot on.
Al
May 31st, 2010
6:05 pm
Ken,
I’ve heard that Loma Linda’s Proton Treatment Center is one of the best options for Prostate Cancer.
God bless
terrell
May 31st, 2010
6:31 pm
Jody, isn’t that Marvin instead of Joe in that photo?
terrell
May 31st, 2010
6:37 pm
Good luck Ken. I’m gonna TRY to support the new Coach too, if that’s possible. lol! Cant be any worse than Woody thats for sure. And btw, your boy Mike Bibby is here for 2 more years. lol! Had to throw that in there. lol! God Bless.
Jody
May 31st, 2010
6:38 pm
terrell,
I do believe it is. Somebody missed on the picture.
terrell
May 31st, 2010
6:45 pm
Shows how much they know about the Hawks. lol!
O'Brien
May 31st, 2010
6:49 pm
terrell,
SG is a big question mark for the Hawks.
1) Is JJ leaving? 2) Is Mo Evans opting out?
Either way, it sucks that the draft is before free agency.
In my opinion, Mo Evans will opt out, because he only has 1 year left, So he will have a chance to sign a longer term deal. I like Mo, but we need a shooter, so I am ok with him leaving.
If JJ resigns, I think the Hawks should trade Jamal Crawford. If JJ leaves, then we should start Crawford at SG, and go after Redick to back him up.
At #24, I think we should take the best available SG, or the best available big.
terrell
May 31st, 2010
6:51 pm
Joe to Chicago for Hinrich, Taj Gibson, and draft picks? http//www.peachtreehoops.com/2010/5/31/1494826/joe-to-chicago-in-sign-trade-is
terrell
May 31st, 2010
6:52 pm
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2010/5/31/1494826/joe-to-chicago-in-sign-trade-is
O'Brien
May 31st, 2010
6:54 pm
I know that we have needs at SF too, but I’m hoping that we bring Chills back.
terrell
May 31st, 2010
6:59 pm
Not a bad deal for the Hawks if that were to happen. Hinrich is a nice perimeter defender who can shoot and he can play the 1 or the 2. And Gibson is a HUGE upgrade over Joe Smith at the backup PF position. He also gives us the option of possibly moving Josh Smith for a pg and another big.
JeJe
May 31st, 2010
6:59 pm
Chills is not coming back, people.
He isn’t coming to ATL for $4.5 (before taxes) when he can finish his Greek contract and make over 3 times that amount with all expenses paid for
FIRE SUND FOR ALIENATING PLAYERS
terrell
May 31st, 2010
7:05 pm
Hawks needs imo
Backup bruiser type center/pf
starting sf(Marvin can take Mo’s place)
pg(possibly)
sg(possibly)
Your’re right Obrien, the draft should come after FA.
terrell
May 31st, 2010
7:12 pm
Dont like Hinrich’s contract though.
darrell starks
May 31st, 2010
7:29 pm
Bad trade terrell i would rather let joe walk for nothing than 2 bring in scrub player 2 eat up cap space, the hawks have been thru this 2 many time, speedy claxton, marvin william, john contract, the night rider, and the list goes on.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 31st, 2010
7:38 pm
I actually like the draft being before free agency (unlike the NFL) — it encourages teams to fill needs through free agency and get the best possible talent through the draft, which is how teams should approach the offseason (not that they necessarily do).
O'Brien
May 31st, 2010
8:22 pm
If we lose JJ, I would pefer a first round pick and a trade exception.
Now if the bulls will take Crawford for Hinrich, I would do that deal. (if we keep JJ).
As much as I like JJ though, I would not give him a 6 year Max deal to keep him.
O'Brien
May 31st, 2010
8:41 pm
Matt Barnes made $1.6 mil last year, but he is opting out. I know he is 30, but If I’m the hawks, I would offer him $2.5 mil per year for 3 years (3rd year team option).
That’s assuming we don’t bring chills back of course…
Ramon
May 31st, 2010
8:47 pm
O’Brien I would offer Barnes a 2-3 year deal for 2.5-3.0 Mil as well. I would even considering starting him over Marvin.
Blast
May 31st, 2010
8:51 pm
Not a lot matters on the blog tonight, folks. Not the coaching issues, not free agency, not Hawks, all that matters is our fellow blogger, Ken Strickland.
Wishing you all the best, Ken! You in our prayers! You will beat this!
Melvin
May 31st, 2010
9:10 pm
Ok Mr.Pendergraph I about to do your job for you and allow you to have the credit. Get this kid in a Hawks uniform on draft night. This guy is a player and he’s only 19.
You want big that can shoot, well look no longer. He’s a diamond in the rough that may be a superstar in a few years… This kid is like a taller Josh with better bball skills…. My goodnes…
Get it done Sund…
http://www.slamonline.com/online/media/slam-tv/2010/05/video-is-ryan-richards-nba-material/
Ramon
May 31st, 2010
9:13 pm
I wonder if Minnesota would take Crawford (and another contract) for Jefferson possibly.
Ramon
May 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
Melvin!!! Melvin, if Richards would be available at the 24th pick (I don’t think he will) the Hawks need to jump on him as soon as they’re on the clock. I think working with Josh and Horford during the off season, he would become a pretty good pro for the Hawks.
Grandad
May 31st, 2010
9:48 pm
@ 24 Just get the best available basketball player. .
Period. .
That may very well be Greivis Vasquez. .
We all know what our needs are, but @ 24;
we must take a player that can “Compete”. .
Ramon
May 31st, 2010
9:53 pm
Grandad did you see that video that Melvin posted?
Melvin
May 31st, 2010
9:57 pm
Ramon,
The funny thing is that, I haven’t seen Richards the mock draft boards….
O'Brien
May 31st, 2010
10:14 pm
Melvin,
Another blogger has mentioned Richards before, but I haven’t seen him projected in any first rounds (or some secondary rounds either).
Do you think he is a better prospect than Kevin seraphin (6′10″, 258)? Kevin is projected as a late first rounder.
The problem for the hawks is we need immediate help. A Guy like Richards might take 2 or 3 years to develop into a solid player…
newkid
May 31st, 2010
10:19 pm
Great find Melvin!
darrell starks
May 31st, 2010
10:23 pm
Ken i wish you the best always keep your head up with a smile and a good prayer.
SHALOM !!!!!!!!!!!
terrell
May 31st, 2010
10:59 pm
If we lose Joe for nothing, we’d be lucky to get the 8th seed next year. Hinrich comes off the books in a couple of years. Same year as Bibby. Thats about 15 mill,, while keeping a competitive team on the floor for a couple of years. All we need to do is add another FA big and a FA sf. Teague/Hinrich/Barnes/Josh/Horford
Bibby/Crawford/Marvin/Gibson/Kurt Thomas/Zaza/Damien Wilkins/
If we re-sign Joe, it’ll be at least a 4 year deal. Possibly 5. How much will Joe have left in the tank in 4 or 5 years? Decisions, decisions.
Boro Boy
May 31st, 2010
11:38 pm
Ken,
Check out Radio Therapy Clinics of Georgia and get some of there information before making a decision. My father used there treatment and has responded very well. His psa’a have stayed down and are right where they are suppose to be. He would definitely recomend it to others. Let me know if you would like any information from him. He is very knowledgeable about some of the other types of treatments, since he researched it so well. He would be happy to speak with you. I will say a prayer for you. Good Luck.
Ken Strickland
May 31st, 2010
11:44 pm
MELVIN-I like this guys gm a lot. His mobility and outside scoring ability would allow him to be productive right away without getting killed by C’s like DHoward, KPerkins, AJefferson etc. He appears to be a bigger, stronger, taller and more skilled, but less athletic, version of Smoove. You can also see his high basketball IQ, which is demonstrated by his ability to move effectively without the ball. In that sense, he reminds me of JChildress.
He might not be able to stop some of the stronger and/or bigger C’s at this point, but he can certainly neutralize them with his ability to score outside, pass and move without the ball. You really dug up a nugget this time my friend.
AL-I’m very familiar with Loma Linda’s Proton Radiation therapy. Like H.I.F.U., it’s none invasive, but it requires daily treatment over several weeks, whereas H.I.F.U. is a one time procedure. I’d accept either treatment over X-ray Radiation therapy or surgery. They also offer minimal side effects compared to the alternatives, and what side effects you do have tend to be temporary.
Friday, I go in for consultation with a physician that specializes in alternative procedures like H.I.F.U. I’ll keep everyone informed on the outcome, because it just might help someone else who’s dealing with similar issues.
doc
June 1st, 2010
12:14 am
ken, if you are going to look into diet check out a guy named donnie yance. i have trained with him and he is one of the foremost nutritionists/herbalists in the country working with folks just like you. i am working with one of his patients now. if you are the least bit interested in this let me know as i can maybe guide you to some of the healthy ways to support you during this time. somef olks will make the effort to work with everything at their disposal, others rely on someone else to take care of them.
Grandad
June 1st, 2010
1:02 am
Ramon & Melvin good stuff.
Thanks Melvin for the link & Ramon for prompting
me to watch the vid.
I watchede RR @ the combine, he’s legit 6-11.
Runs like a deer – I can’t figure out why [Ramon]
he’s not on any mocks.
Nice release on his jumper, polished footwork.
Yet, Pedergraph [no typo] says can’t find anybody @ 24.
If Larry Sanders falls just a dab, he’d be a steal.
If he [Sanders] falls down around 18 or so,
we may want to start thinking trade.
His measurements were far and away above what anyone
thought & he’s a natural shotblocker.
I’ll get more data on him when MC changes the blog.
Ramon
June 1st, 2010
6:40 am
Grandad the fact that RR is only 19 years old, means there’s a great chance of him growing an extra inch or two to put him over 7 foot. I know he may be raw in some areas, but most second string big men only need to bring in energy and hustle. If he can bring those two ingredients off the bench then he will be going a long way towards being able to provide some production.
lewis
June 1st, 2010
8:51 am
i wouldn’t mind having marc gasol at C….
ILL-logical
June 1st, 2010
9:23 am
This story line appears to be ,to me at least, setting the stage for a renounciation/trade of the team’s first round pick. And the most logical assumption that I can draw is that they are trying desperately to find enough cash to pay Joe.
My question then becomes do they believe that retaining Joe without the former HC will make the team better or are there forces within the “organization”(read Gearon Sr) that cling to the notion thatthe original move to sign Joe was NOT a mistake and he’s leaving would contridict that view and make them look bad?
Melvin
June 1st, 2010
9:51 am
Ken,
Our prayers are with you.
OB,
I would take Richards over Serpahin. Richards is multi-talented and would be capable of playing multiple position. If his drive and work ethic is good, he has higher ceiling (maybe superstar) than Seraphin.
Grandad
June 1st, 2010
9:57 am
ILL-logical – Good points all.
They [ASG] should get over all that.
Joe has proven to be a good investment.
I read somewhere last eve:
(from Chicago source)
Joe S&T – to Chicago
return – we get
Kirk Hinrich + Taj Gibson.
Ken Strickland
June 1st, 2010
9:58 am
DOC-thanks for the info. I’m going to make what I considered life altering adjustments in the way I approach certain things. My sister has been pounding me over the head with changing my diet, so now I have the motivation to finally listen and learn.
TERRELL-With Woodson gone, Bibby won’t have the heir of privilege, or untouchability, and will have to actually compete for a starting spot for the first time in his NBA career. He can still be valuable if utilized properly. I’d use him more as a SG than PG and have him come off screens, rather than controlling the ball and the OFF.
JEJE-If Laker GM Mitch Kupcheck can swallow his pride and rehire Phil Jackson, and Bulls ownership can make it known they would welcome him back after the way they unceremoniously forced him out the door, certainly RSund can find a way to do what’s best for the team and at least try to bring Chills back. Being slow or methodical in ones approach is one thing, but being arrogant and stupid is another.
I think we’ll be in good hands with Teague at PG. Actually having a structured half court OFF to run, and excellent passing big men like Horford and JSmith will help him tremendously. While I expect him to consistently score in the 12-13PPG range, his DEF will be his biggest contribution. When Bibby first came to the Hawks, our scoring increased by 9PPG, but our points allowed also increased by 9PPG because his poor DEF.
Teague can increase our scoring by about 3PPG and decrease our PPG allowed by about 2PPG with his DEF. His ability to pressure the ball will also make it a lot harder for teams to feed the post, and force PG’s to start their OFF farther out, like teams forced Bibby to do. Bibby initiated our OFF above the 3pt line, which is where he spent most of his time.
I’d love to see us resign JJ, draft that young stud MELVIN dug up, resign RMorris and OHunter and acquire a scoring SF/SG. If we get between 14-16PPG from Marvin, which he’s perfectly capable of doing, 12PPG and 6APG from Teague, the same 21PPG from JJ, but with more efficiency, run more and play solid DEF, we can be a serious contender.
Some of our fans, who seems obsessed with criticizing certain players they don’t like personally, always talk about us being a flawed or unbalanced team. Well, didn’t we see those same problems exposed and exploited by Boston in their systematic dismantling of Orlando and Cleveland? Both teams were out played, schemed, motivated and out coached. Lack of size and/or balance weren’t the Hawks’ problem. Lack of preparation, effective OFF/DEF schemes, motivation, coaching, strategy, accountability and direction were our biggest problems.
Resolve those issues and you have a Hawk team that can defeat any team anywhere, regardless of size and balance.
Grandad
June 1st, 2010
10:00 am
Post Script:
My apologies for mentioning something I read
w/o the source. I simply could not remember
where I read the story.