The Hawks have just added a pair of prominent figures to their front office. New Orleans Pelicans GM Bryson Graham will act as the Senior VP of Basketball Operations, and Peter Dinwiddie of the Philadelphia 76ers has been named the Senior VP of Strategy and Analytics.
Graham has been heralded for his ability to identify talent in the draft, and it’s hard to argue. While the Pelicans were among the worst teams in basketball, their talent is apparent with Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Yves Messi.
Graham’s expertise in that area will be much appreciated because the Hawks own the 13th and 22nd picks in this year’s draft, not exactly prime real estate when talking about landing franchise-altering talent. Travis Schlenk had a knack for finding talent regardless of where the Hawks were picking, and the hope is Graham, along with Onsi Saleh and a possible President of Basketball Operations, can continue that trend.
Brett Siegel of Clutch Points has the Hawks drafting a “long-term replacement for Trae Young.”
13. Atlanta Hawks – PG Nolan Traore – France (Saint-Quentin – LNB)
“Do not be shocked if the Atlanta Hawks surprise many and go after a high-potential player in this spot,” Siegel writes. “Nolan Traore was once deemed a top-5 prospect in this draft class, and he is beginning to draw major attention once again with his performances overseas for Saint-Quentin.
Traore has proved that he doesn’t always need the ball in his hands as a lead guard to be effective, which makes him an interesting fit alongside Trae Young. Ultimately, the 19-year-old could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Young, whose future continues to be questioned around the league.
Derik Queen and Thomas Sorber would obviously be two big men of interest to the Hawks should they want to expand their frontcourt talent around Onyeka Okongwu, who the organization has declined to move in trade discussions. This will be a wild-card selection for the Hawks that sets the stage for how the middle of the first round plays out.”
While many expect the Hawks to bolster the frontcourt with their first draft pick, I wouldn’t be against taking the best player available. Atlanta isn’t a rookie away from competing for a championship. I hope the new-look front office looks at the 13th overall pick like an asset. Taking the prospect who is going to be the best possible player in general will ultimately be the best thing for the franchise. After all, that player could wind up being a trade chip.
If the Hawks do address the backcourt, it would be ideal if that player could play next to Trae Young. Kobe Bufkin was thought to be that guy, a guard who can play off-ball with Young on the court and take over ball-handling duties with Young off the court.
With the Hawks’ second first-rounder, Siegel has Atlanta bolstering the frontcourt with a proven talent in Danny Wolf.
22. Atlanta Hawks – PF/C Danny Wolf – Michigan
What the Hawks decide to do in this draft is a mystery. After adding a high-potential guard in Traore earlier, the Hawks can target a proven collegiate talent like Danny Wolf in this spot, who provides immediate playmaking abilities and size in the frontcourt alongside Okongwu.
Wolf is basically a 7-foot big man who truly plays like a guard trapped in a big man’s body. At Michigan, Wolf was responsible for initiating his team’s offense, and he was a very confident ball handler. In Atlanta, he would provide immediate depth behind Okongwu and Jalen Johnson, while also having the ability to help facilitate the second unit’s offense.
It would be a surprise if the Hawks didn’t select a frontcourt talent with one of their two picks in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft since Clint Capela’s time has come to an end.
The Hawks do need to bolster the frontcourt. Ideally, that player can defend, create space and facilitate. Wolf averaged 13.2 points in his final season at Michigan, shooting nearly 50% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc to go along with nearly 10 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Finding a productive rotation piece with the 22nd pick should be the ultimate goal, regardless of what position that player plays.
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Photographer: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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