This is shaping up to be a really fun year for Atlanta Hawks fans. The young core of Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher has already proven it can stay afloat without Trae Young or Kristaps Porzingis, which is no small feat. Young is expected to return within the next few weeks, a development that should only raise the ceiling for this group as they push toward the postseason.
Beyond what’s happening on the floor, Atlanta is also positioned to be extremely active behind the scenes. The Hawks have the assets to make noise at the trade deadline, with several star players expected to be available, and they still hold a realistic path to landing the #1 overall pick in a loaded draft class at season’s end.
That’s exactly where CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone has Atlanta picking in his latest mock draft, projecting the Hawks to select Kansas guard Darryn Peterson with the top overall pick.
“A nagging hamstring injury has limited Peterson to just two appearances this season for Kansas and his time missed is approaching one full month,” Boone writes. “However, when healthy, Peterson’s ability to dictate terms as a lead guard and elevate talent around him makes him the frontrunner to go No. 1.”
Peterson recently returned from his hamstring injury and has posted 17 points in back-to-back games. In four appearances this season, he’s averaging just a hair under 20 points per game on 52.8% shooting from the field and 42.3% from three-point range, to go along with 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He’s ferocious competitor on both ends of the court, capable of playing either guard position, and can score with ease at all three levels.
Drafting for need is never the right course of action in any sport. The strategy should always be focused on the most talented player; however, if that player also fits a need, it’s icing on the cake. In the event that the Hawks consider moving off Trae Young at the trade deadline or during the offseason, Peterson would be a helluva replacement for Atlanta’s backcourt.
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Photo: Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire
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