Atlanta Hawks Struggle with Drafting Decisions Affecting Team Progress

Critics have highlighted the challenge of building a team around a smaller guard like Trae Young. However, the New York Knicks' success illustrates that effective team-building can overcome these difficulties. As the Hawks approach the upcoming season, their prospects for reaching the 2027 NBA Finals look limited. This offseason, they opted for continuity and long-term flexibility, which may prove to be a wise decision.

The core issue for the Hawks seems to be their continued state of mediocrity, compounded by their draft selections. After replacing Young with another foundational All-Star in Jalen Johnson, the franchise faces difficulties in the first round of the NBA Draft, which has hindered their ability to progress.

Reflecting on past drafts, the shortcomings become evident. In 2018, while the Hawks selected Kevin Huerter at 19 and Ogari Spellman at 30, they missed the opportunity to choose a player who would later secure six First Team All-NBA selections before turning 28.

The 2019 draft was especially problematic, with the Hawks holding three first-round picks (Nos. 8, 10, and 17) but ultimately moving up to select De’Andre Hunter fourth overall and Cam Reddish at 10. Hunter's injury setbacks have hampered his potential, while Reddish has struggled to find a role in the league.

In the 2020 draft, the Hawks selected Okongwu sixth overall, who has since developed into a strong player but is still serving as a backup center. The following year, Jalen Johnson was chosen at 20, a selection viewed positively. However, the 2022 draft saw AJ Griffin slip to 16, yet his development took a turn after a trade, leading to his retirement from basketball in 2024.

The 2023 draft yielded more disappointment as Kobe Bufkin, selected 15th, suffered injuries and eventually got traded. Perhaps most shockingly, 2024's number one overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, is now with the Dallas Mavericks after finding little opportunity with Atlanta.

While not every draft pick needs to turn into a franchise cornerstone, the absence of impactful players from the 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 drafts—especially those representing high lottery picks—has negatively impacted the Hawks' ability to compete. As a result, they have pursued depth through free agency and trades rather than relying on homegrown talent.

President of basketball operations Onsi Saleh has emphasized that the team is not "one player away" from contention and aims to continue building their development strategy. However, substantial improvement in their first-round draft choices will be crucial if the Hawks hope to move closer to becoming a contender.