Atlanta Hawks: Could these draft prospects help the Hawks later?
Yesterday I highlighted some draft prospects the Hawks believe have “NBA skills” that could be useful to them next season. Today, I’m looking at some long-term prospects the Hawks might draft at No. 24.
Understand that these lists aren’t meant to be complete, nor should they be considered endorsements. These are players I know the Hawks have considered from each pool. If you don’t see the player you want on these lists, it doesn’t mean the Hawks won’t draft them and it doesn’t mean I don’t like them. I’m just trying to share what I know with my blog people, narrow the Hawks’ draft possibilities down a bit, and then let you explain why they have it ALL WRONG!!!
In the next post I will collect all of the final mock drafts in one spot. That way you can find those smart people who predict the Hawks will draft the guy you like.
Solomon Alabi has the size teams want.
Solomon Alabi, C, 7-1, Florida State
I think Alabi will be gone by the time the Hawks pick, and here’s why: He looks the part, and scouts and GMs tend to fall in love with those kind of guys even when they are as raw as Alabi. He weighed in at 237 pounds at the draft combine and he looked even bigger than that at the Hawks workout. The fact that he’s not expected to be taken in the lottery tells you how far he has to go.
“He’s a young kid [turned 22 in March],” said Hawks assistant GM Dave Pendergraft. “You like the fact that he shoots [well] from the free-throw line. But you can tell he’s raw. He”ll be drafted in the first round, and in a perfect world he lasts a long time [in the league].”
One person who saw Alabi’s Haws workout described him as “mechanical” in his movements. So he’s not a fluid athlete but he’s certainly physically impressive.
“He’s huge and he’s a great guy,” Pendergraft said. “If you are looking for someone two or three years down the road to help you, he’s a candidate.”
NBADraft.net describes Alabi, a native of Nigeria, as a player who could potentially be the defensive-minded 7-footer the Hawks (and all teams) covet:
“[Alabi's] physical tools make him an excellent shot blocker on and off the ball, and a likely candidate for offensive tips and putbacks off misses. . . . There’s no arguing that he has the potential to become a defensive centerpiece for a team that lacks a presence in the paint.”
Kevin Seraphin, F/C, 6-9, France
A knee injury nearly caused Seraphin to pull out of the draft because he couldn’t participate on the workout circuit. He decided to stay in, probably a good decision since it looks like he’s pretty certain to be drafted in the first round. Seraphin met with the Hawks for several hours on Monday.
David Aldridge has an excellent draft preview series at NBA.com. Aldridge projects Seraphin as a power forward and, surprisingly, places him ahead of Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson in rankings that reflect “how ready players are to play the position which they are assigned.”
Aldridge quotes an unnamed Atlantic Division scout on Seraphin: “It’s a 100 percent fair comparison to Nene. He’s strong, he’s got big hands, got that athletic ability. Slightly mechacical. You know how Nene is. You can almost tell what he’s going to do. Seraphin might turn out to be a better rebounder. He tracks the ball. It’s going to take a while for this kid to get there [offensively]. Nene’s pretty good and this kid is going to turn out like that.”
Whiteside already is a good shot-blocker.
Hassan Whiteside, C, 7-0, Marshall
Whiteside, who turned 21 earlier this month, played just one season at Marshall. Like Alabi, he’s a true 7-footer with potential so some team is going to take him and develop him. Whiteside led the NCAA with 5.3 blocks per game.
Whiteside worked out this week for the Bucks, who own the No. 15 pick. After the session, Milwaukee’s director of scouting, Billy McKinney, said it’d be a “stretch” for his team to draft Whiteside:
“A good shot-blocker, he’s still very raw. He’s pretty new to the game, but a guy that blocks a lot of shots, rebounds, there’s a lot of room for improvement and growth in his game.”
In an interview with NBADraft.net back in May, Whiteside said he worked with Hakeem to improve his defense, footwork and strength on the block.
Daniel Orton, C, 6-10, Kentucky
Just five days ago the Indy Star reported the Pacers might take Orton with the No. 10 overall pick. Then yesterday Yahoo! Sports suggested Orton might slide out of the first round because of a bad knee, poor conditioning and his reputation as a malcontent during one season at Kentucky.
I’m assuming the Hawks are still considering Orton. He canceled several workouts over the last couple weeks, leading to speculation he had a proverbial “promise” from a team, but the Hawks didn’t believe that’s the case. Nor did they seem too displeased that Orton didn’t make a stop in Atlanta (he finally ended up working out this week for the Pacers).
Orton turns 20 in August and played just 13 minutes a game at Kentucky. There’s also the aforementioned weight and attitude issues, which raises the twin red flags of work ethic and “coachability.” But he’s a big, strong dude with potential. He defends at the rim and actually has a nice jump shot. Some team will roll the dice on him.
Orton wrote a draft diary for the The Oklahoman and addressed his knee and his expectations but shed no light on the missed workouts.
MC
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272 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
3:57 pm
Rondo ,
LOL. Those are laughing faces, not smiley faces. I look soft and doughy? On a blog? I have to admit, I laughed at that. And then thought about hitting the weights in my garage for the second time today…. I’m cool with Ray and several variations thereof. Truth Serum likes to call me Big Gay. That makes me wonder about him…keep that ish in the closet, dude. I aint’ down wit dat.
Rondo
June 24th, 2010
3:57 pm
Quit all that hollering c-dog you making my ears hurt.
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
3:58 pm
I wonder where Hassan “flip flops” Whiteside will end up. If the guy looks like another Hasheem Thabeet, then hello D-League…
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
3:59 pm
“Quit all that hollering c-dog you making my ears hurt.”
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
3:59 pm
Catch y’all a bit later. Time to fire up the grill and get the brews outta da ‘fridge.
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
4:01 pm
Wait, one more. Did anyobody else see this?
http://www.hoopsnotes.com/2010/06/josh-childress-to-sign-with-the-wizards/#more-24479
i_am_soulstar
June 24th, 2010
4:01 pm
Ray comes out, guns a-blazing lol.. Verbal pun-ishment *smh*
I think Horford plays the center very well. It’s his expressed desire to move to PF that concerns me. Is that desire enough for another team with an established center and an open power forward position to entice Horford to make a move if he makes it to free agency? Idk, but if he has come out and said 2 or 3 times that he’d like to play his natural position, then it very well could be a deciding factor in his future location.
Or am I making too much of it?
Dan23
June 24th, 2010
4:03 pm
Washington is preparing to offer a contract to Josh Childress.
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/report-josh-childress-about-to-get-offer-from-washington-wizards.php
i_am_soulstar
June 24th, 2010
4:08 pm
Washington reportedly offering Chills 3 years, 18 mil.. If Joe’s gone (and hopefully the front office will be able to assess this before July 8), the Hawks will likely match.
Rondo
June 24th, 2010
4:13 pm
Its a shame how agents use other agents for their client to get the deal he wants, but i guess thats how the game goes. Let chills go ATL and call his bluff don’t match his deal.Outty 5000 Geeee!
JoJo the Godfather
June 24th, 2010
4:14 pm
I don’t know that Chills accepts that deal, especially early in the offseason. That’s MLE money. Any team can at least offer that much. Maybe he will and Hawks can match though. That’s a contract right in line with his value.
GeeMack
June 24th, 2010
4:16 pm
I really hope someone else signs Chills to an offer sheet the Hawks can’t match. Hopefully the Hawks will move forward and build a championship contending team.
Sautee
June 24th, 2010
4:16 pm
Anybody ELSE see the conflict between these two statements by the same poster?
First: “Most of the hawks opponent’s coaches ran plays to isolate Al under the basket with the likes of Tony Parker or Nate Robinson recognizing how weak Horford is on Defense.”
and THEN this:
” BOSTON WON BECAUSE EVEN THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR” COULD NOT STOP A POINT GUARD.”
So the DPOY couldn’t stop a point guard, but somehow Al is “weak on defense” because HE didn’t stop Parker or Robinson?
It’s only logical if you have a hate agenda towards Al. Otherwise, he should be given the same respect as Howard, since BOTH were unable to stop point guards.
Then there is this:
“DWIGHT HOWARD IS A GREAT CENTER BUT HIS TEAMMATES COULD NOT HANDLE SKINNY RAJON RONDO.”
Ok, so why is it Howard’s TEAMMATES who are at fault for not handling Rondo, but Al’s teammates are not at fault for allowing Parker and Robinson to penetrate??????
And how is it that we swept Boston, despite Rondo’s penetration?
Pure hater-ade.
dap01
June 24th, 2010
4:22 pm
If the Hawks match that offer, can they do a sign and trade with Washington?
dap01
June 24th, 2010
4:25 pm
Chills is not worth any more than $6 million per.
The Truth
June 24th, 2010
4:28 pm
Regarding Chills: Everything depends on the terms. I’m not a Chills fan but the Hawks would be wise to match depending on the terms.
No terms of the deal were released, but the guess would be we’re talking at least three years and in the $6 million a year range or higher.
JoJo the Godfather
June 24th, 2010
4:31 pm
dap…not if Childress signs their deal first. hawks can threaten to match before Childress signs and try to negotiate a sign and trade, but once he signs, its match or let him go.
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
4:33 pm
Sautee
The Devil wears Prada!
The Truth Serum is like a beautiful woman in a red Hot dress, even though she has an
Adam’s Apple and sings like Jodeci’ – you just can’t help yourself!
You just got to touch it and feel her – to see if she is really real and that beautiful?
You can’t help it – Sautee. You are so in love with a beautiful woman!
ROF. LOL.
terrell
June 24th, 2010
4:37 pm
How bout a sign and trade with Washington? Hawks get Thornton, Washington gets Childress and a pick. They’ll probably try to stick us with Josh Howard. Yikes! Howard would be un upgrade over Marvin if he could stay healthy though. However, thats a big IF.
Ken Strickland
June 24th, 2010
4:40 pm
If JJ decides he doesn’t want to resign, suppose we do a sign and trade with either the Kings or Timberwolves for their 1st rd pick and sign DCousins. We could move Horford to the 4, Smoove to the 3 and Marvin to the bench. And before any of you start complaining about Smoove not being able to play the 3, he played it his 1st 2yrs.
While he could have some trouble defending some SF’s on the perimeter, that would definitely be offset by them having some serious trouble trying to defend him in the post. Move JCrawford into JJ’s spot, along with Teague at PG, and we’d have a solid team, especially our front line.
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
4:40 pm
Its funny that just this time a year ago, so many of you were screaming for Sund to trade Josh Smith to Golden State for Biedrins. Biedrins ended up have terrible season, and now finds himself on the trading block. Its funny that each year people bet against Josh, but he gets better every year. Interesting…
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
4:42 pm
Ken, if Josh lost about 15-20 lbs, he could play SF. But I think that decision would have to be made at the beginning of the off season to give him the summer to work on ball handling and shooting touch. Because the last two seasons, he’s mainly worked on post moves, building up strength, and mental approach.
Rondo
June 24th, 2010
4:43 pm
Hey MC if you want to get the early true scoop on what JJ is going to do this summer all you have to do is find both of his fat uncles and take them to the closest Rib Shack and tell them they can order all the ribs and chicken they can eat on the menu, and i bet you they will give you the scoop by the time they get finish eating.One thing we all know is that fat folks love to talk and eat. I know this will work because my wife do me like that everyday, so i am a victim and i know what works. Don’t be scared MC try it. You may get the wise guys position if you can get the story.Come on its worth the try!
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
4:44 pm
Sautee
Juts pulling your leg and having fun watching the 11 hour Tennis Mtach, between
You and the Die-Hard!
Very Funny.
JSS
June 24th, 2010
4:45 pm
@ Grandad…
I rarely disagree with sage observation; however, Siler is not in the League simply because of the same reason Childress is not, he signed an overseas contract right after he reported to the Utah Flash of the NBDL after being the #1 pick of the entire NBDL draft. He was under contract for the entire Chinese Basketball Association season until the end of playoffs April 25th. The playoffs were already under way and the restriction on adding players was in effect. He is like any other UFA, beginning July 1st, he can sign or be invited to someone’s camp…
terrell
June 24th, 2010
4:47 pm
Ken, Josh is a lot bigger now, not to mention he’s developed into a pretty good pf. Why move him? I dont want Josh guarding the perimeter. We need his help defense inside. And doesn’t JJ have to agree on a sign-and-trade? He definitely wont agree to play for 1 of those teams.
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
4:52 pm
Ken S
Looks like is choosing the Bulls (he will not go back to the West), he is looking for a
Contender not a re-builder, but it has to be on the East Coast, near the Uncles & ‘Nem.
newkid
June 24th, 2010
4:54 pm
Wow, what a run-up to the ‘10 draft. Don’t recall there ever being so many pre-draft, draft, and post-draft considerations to take account of in trying to build a champion when you’re on the outside looking in as we are. Sides actually sending players along with 1st round picks ((e.g., Miami and potentially Chicago) to other sides for 2nd round picks or merely ‘considerations’ just to clear cap space to pursue mega-players. We’re seeing a new model (I call it the Boston model) for buidling a winner. Pull out ALL the stops to build your side around 2-3 legit max players with a ton of rookie contract, vet min, and mid-level type support players if you want to realistically compete with 3-5 other sides for the O’Brien trophy. If this model works in Miami and Chicago, and New York like it did in Boston, then say goodbye for now to any reasonable expectation that to a collection of $10M – $13M per annum type players comprising sides that have a legitimate chance to compete in the post season. And if this is the new model, I’m not sure our side’s GM has adjusted his thinking and team-building style as necessary to be a player on the new scene (is he too old to change?). Adapt or perish (read that: ’subject the home side’s fans to continued torment’).
MM
June 24th, 2010
5:00 pm
First: I honestly think that if the Hawks had been able to bring over Sabonis in his prime they could have won a championship. He really was that good, and a great passer (Willis, Wilkins, Sabonis, Rivers, Whitman…Tree, Cliff, Battle, ‘Toine off the bench…sigh…).
Second: Let’s accept that the Hawks aren’t going to get a starter at 24. If you want value, you have to take a project. Preferably a 7 foot project. Remember: the reason players like Fuller and Potapenko were drafted ahead of Kobe Bryant was that Bryant was a PROJECT at the time.
terrell
June 24th, 2010
5:01 pm
Ken, if we move Josh to sf, we’ll still have either Al or Josh playing out of position(according to most). I’d rather trade Smoove for a legit sf or center, than move him to sf. Hope all is well Ken.
O'Brien
June 24th, 2010
5:02 pm
Ray,
Dont forget the ownership struggle that JJ caused (which is still going on).
Ramon,
I can see Marivn averaging 16 ppg. But for him to get to 19-23 ppg, he will need to be the featured scorer.
I ike Chills, But I would have a hard time matching $6 mil per year. You can have Matt Barnes or Ronnie Brewer for less, and I dont want to pay Marvin $7.5 mil, and Chills $6 mil.
i_am_soulstar
June 24th, 2010
5:06 pm
lol @ Rondo.
2 hours til..
Think I’ll be heading to Taco Mac-eezy @ Philips?
terrell
June 24th, 2010
5:06 pm
O’Brien, please dont remind me that we’re paying Marvin 7.5 million. Makes me wanna scream. lol!
The Truth
June 24th, 2010
5:07 pm
Regarding Garret Siler: You can argue that he is now more NBA ready then any center in the draft and a whole lot less expensive. Where is the logic? The Hawks will penny-pinch on the coach salary but when given the opportunity to pick-up a cheap serviceable center, they pass. Now if the Hawks becomes interested in him, the price will likely not be the same.
i_am_soulstar
June 24th, 2010
5:14 pm
I hear Larry Drew’s gonna be there from 7:00 – 7:20..
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
5:15 pm
Iso – Joe
Is joe married and does he have children? It seems like he is very close with his birth family.
Is Joe isolated in real life too? A very strange and interesting young man of very few words!
Frustrated
June 24th, 2010
5:21 pm
These are exciting times for the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks just signed the cheapest coach they could find. There are no trade talks or free agent signing rumors involving the Hawks. However…..Hawk fans let’s get excited about losing Joe Johnson and possible signing Josh Childress. I’m sure the Hawks have interviewed several potiential draft prospects for tonight. Rumor has it that they will draft the guy who has agreed to sign for the least amount of money.
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
5:22 pm
OBRIEN
Joe didn’t cause the ownership rift? Steve Belkin did that All by himself.
northcyde
June 24th, 2010
5:23 pm
Big Ray . . . question for you ( and anybody else who wants to answer this ).
Sund calls up Jersey to see what they want for their lottery pick. Jersey asks . . “what you got?”
Sund says . . “we have 2 star quality PFs . . you can have one, if you give us your lotto pick”.
This would enable Sund to take Demarcus Cousins.
Do you trade Smith or Horford, in order to secure a true center in Cousins?
This question is open to everybody.
JB
June 24th, 2010
5:28 pm
Hearing there might be a “sign and trade” for JChill with the Wizards. Hawks would get Randy Foye or JaVale McGee in return.
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
5:30 pm
O’Brien, as I said, I didn’t say he would do it on THIS team. But I could still see him ending up being a featured scorer and excelling at it.
If we pay 6.5 mil for Chills, I would be disappointed. We could split up 6.5 and give Brewer 2.5 and Mike Miller 4 mil. I’d take those two over Chills any day.
Also the way Chicago just traded Hinrich for nothing to the Wizards, why we can’t do the same with Bibby or Marvin to Sacramento or somewhere else? And why only time we hear rumors about the Hawks its in regards to losing a player, not in regards to being on the phone lines making trades.
JSS
June 24th, 2010
5:31 pm
@ JB, it has to be more, the salary structure has to add up… Go look at their contracts…
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
5:32 pm
JSS:
You’re absolutly right.
I did not think that one through.
Also your points are well taken.
I’m going to re-evaluate young Mr. Siler.
Thanks,
Us ol’ fellers gotta realize,
that sometimes we have forgotten,
-more-
than we ever thought we knew in the 1st place !
ReddJonn68
June 24th, 2010
5:34 pm
Greg Monroe will be ROY in my book, yes we have no chance for him, but in a draft that will cause GMs to get fired than Trump’s TV show he is the only solid in this draft. That being said we do need a BIG, so if we are lucky enough to get a young athelete with size and speed we may be able to develope him. Even Dwight Howard after decent stint in the league still needs some polishing. Maybe Al Jefferson would be a nice pickup, I know he would just love to be on a playoff team ala Crawford. I don’t know what kind deal we can offer since nobody wants to play for them, why not trade Childress rights & our 1st rounder. Any BIG we get our pick will be project, so if we’ve done any scouting go for a rebounder out the DeJaun Blair mode & teach scoring later.
Knowledge Quest
June 24th, 2010
5:35 pm
“Only two centers in the entire league made the NBA all-defensive team. Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan.” Thats a nice COP OUT (PUN INTEND)
There was a 1st team and a 2nd team of which Al horford wasn’t on either thats true, ray, however there were other centers who received votes. Unfortunately our center Al only got one vote and that for a second team position. You try to make it sound as if it was Duncan and Howard and nobody else got any votes. I wouldnt try to minimize it just because Al only got one vote and was pretty much Blocked(pun intended) at the rim.
I like your second cop out better than your first one. Its Woody fault Horford is amongst the weakest defending center in the NBA.
Thanks for the cop outs! Good luck to you.
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
5:36 pm
JB:::::
I would love to get McGee & either or both 30 + 35 [2nd round] pks.
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
5:37 pm
JB:::::
*S&T for Childress that is.*
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
5:38 pm
NorthCyde
IDK man. Cousins for Josh or Al? Naw! What if Cousins is the net Marvin? It would have to be a
Trade for a proven NBA Big. A really Good – NBA Big!
northcyde
June 24th, 2010
5:39 pm
You have people on this blog who desperately want the Hawks to obtain a center. And they are hard to come by. So instead of wishing that a project develops with the #24 pick, would any of you trade one of our PFs to get a young center like Cousins? Cause to be honest, that may be the only way we ever get a legit center here . . . by trading Al or Josh.
The Truth
June 24th, 2010
5:41 pm
“Hearing there might be a “sign and trade” for JChill with the Wizards. Hawks would get Randy Foye or JaVale McGee in return.”
For Chills expected 6.5M salary, we could ask for both for the salaries to match or one plus a draft pick.