Atlanta Hawks: NBA draft open thread
Update: The Hawks selected Vanderbilt junior guard John Jenkins with the No. 23 overall pick. The Hawks had two workout sessions at Philips Arena with Jenkins, who was the top perimeter shooter in NCAA Division I last season.
Update: The Hawks selected Virginia forward Mike Scott with the No. 43 overall pick.
There has seemed to be a subtle shift in comments by Hawks folks since Danny Ferry came on board.
Before there was lots of talk about possibly selecting a player who could join the rotation right away. Now there seemed to be more of a focus on drafting the best talent, regardless of that player’s immediate readiness.
“The ‘best player’ scenario probably fits us the best right now,” Hawks assistant manager Dave Pendergraft said.
That’s not to suggest that the Hawks weren’t considering a long-term prospect before (and, really, most of the players available late in the first round fit that bill). It’s just that Ferry and co-owner Bruce Levenson both have stressed long-term player development and so it follows that’s the organization’s message.
Ferry was still getting his legs when he talked to media Monday and so didn’t have a lot to say about his draft strategy. The team’s PR staff hasn’t made him available for interviews since then. Ferry did talk to the team’s Web site today and addressed the possibility of making a trade.
“Will something happen? I’m not sure that it will, and we will probably be picking 23,” Ferry said. “There is still a long time before we have to pick so we’ll see what happens.”
Ferry said there is a lot of trade talk centered on draft picks in general but said: “We are not going to make a trade just to make a trade.”
“We’ll be a part of some of those talks,” Ferry said. “Maybe we can add a piece or do something.”
Both Pendergraft and Larry Drew said there haven’t been any issues with Ferry joining the staff so late in the process.
“He’s been following all of the draft stuff and he knows these guys really well,” Drew said. “Our format in which we do things, it’s been pretty much the same that it’s been. These guys that have been at the forefront of the draft, Rick [Sund], Dave, our scouts–it’s been, to me, a very smooth transition thus far. Everybody is giving their opinions and thoughts and everyone is trying obviously to find the best player available for us at that pick.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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1,051 comments Add your comment
Anwar sadat
June 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
I agree
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
Fournier will be a player. He has point guard and two guard skills. He’s the opposite of Wroten. He’s a combo guard who can play BOTH positions. He’s also extremely young. His body has plenty of time to develop. Just damn.
hawksfancents95
June 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
i di not expect teague to get down here. idk how brothers on the same team at the same position will be like. if pj3 slips to us we have to take him but he wont. we will take wroten i believe. i will be happy with wroten.
im really interested in the second round though, there is going to be good role players the whole second round
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
Will the Celtics draft 2 forwards and resign Bass and Jeff Green? I think they may take a Center
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:30 pm
MC just tweeted the Celtics’ pick.
Fan-O-Maniac
June 28th, 2012
9:31 pm
Patiently waiting for our draft pick
Hawks Fan-O-Maniac!
DS
June 28th, 2012
9:31 pm
I called it!
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Well someone that feel is up next, but whom?
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Perry Moultrie or Miller are the guys I want for the Hawks
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Sullinger and Wroten left on the Hawks Big Board?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:32 pm
Wow, Bilas just compared Wroten to Rondo.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
I’d like Moultrie but Celtics are about to grab him. They need length.
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
DRAFT WROTEN NOW
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
I’m not against Moultrie for us
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
CP
I like those 3 guys as well…
Anwar sadat
June 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
What is all this love for a guard that can’t shoot, we need a SF
TMACfan
June 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
If you guys ever watched Wroten play, you would see the comparisons.
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
Lots of folks have compared Wroten to Rondo – but Wroten is maybe smoother
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
Celtics may go with Melo as one of their picks
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
Astro you see them taking Moultrie over PJ?
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
Gimme Perry Jones or Quincy Miller
Luke Cage
June 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
The boos just keep coming
DS
June 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
looking good for the hawks!!!
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
Good pick by the Celts
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
BTW, Real CP, you owe me a Moon Pie. Sullinger made it to the 20s.
Big Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
Morey’s pretty slick…dude’s got skill.
I knew the Celts would take Sullinger. Just knew it.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
I don’t know. Rondo was an elite athlete in college and made some amazing passes. Wroten, at least to me, seemed like a decent athlete who made decent passes. Not to mention Wroten was way more turnover prone. I really liked Rondo coming out of college. I could be wrong about Wroten, but I don’t see Rondo in him.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
Thank you Boston. Now leave PJ3 to the Hawks. Moultrie is a backup pick as well
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
Looks like its Wroten or maybe Taylor for us – Jones 3? Quincy?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
Very interesting #22 pick (after Sullinger) for Boston.
Rob
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
well Sullinger is gone!
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
If we take another freakin’ gaurd man…
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
9:35 pm
cp, as I understand it Moultrie is a PF while Perry wants to be a SF. And the knee issue is obviously scaring teams.
Jae Evolution
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
Trade Marvin Williams for the 24th pick right now!!
Ray
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
Okay NO Fab Melo Boston selecting him whew thank god
Buddy Grizzard
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
Notice how nobody has taken Tony Wroten?
Anwar sadat
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
PG3!!!!!!!
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
Lol Astro I got you. I will FedEx it tmw
Jaded Hawks Fan
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
This is setting up very nicely for the Hawks.
Wabe
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
One of the Baylor boys man!!!!!
Ra'mon
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
I hope Boston takes a chance on Wroten, so the Hawks can choose between Perry Jones and Moultrie. Either way if its Jones or Moultrie, the Hawks are in a good position. But if M. Teague is ready for NBA, him and Jeff in the backcourt together is very intriguing.
Roy Kittles
June 28th, 2012
9:36 pm
hope the hawks draft wroten
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
Anwar,
You mean PJ3, Perry Jones 3…
Rev in Tampa
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
MC is suggesting that the Hawks will pick Teague?
The Real cp
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
I wont be mad at PJ or Moultrie. I dont want Wroten with those guys available.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
MC just tweeted out Boston’s other pick.
SteveW
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
Wroten doesn’t have Rondo’s ‘tude is the biggest difference.
hmmmm.........
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
I think a good poll for sportscenter would be the most disliked commish in pro sports.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
MC says Melo to Celtics.
Melvin
June 28th, 2012
9:37 pm
Boston may go Melo…