2018 NBA Draft: The Atlanta Hawks hold all the cards at No. 3

Why the Atlanta Hawks hold all the cards with the third overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft

After the NBA Draft lottery, it’s easy to assume that the Phoenix Suns (at No. 1) or Sacramento Kings (at No. 2) hold all the cards to how the draft will unwind. However, that’s not entirely true.

To a certain extent, yes, the Suns and Kings are important components. But, as is always the case in drafts, there’s usually one team that has the opportunity to turn the tide on how the draft will unfold.

And in this year’s NBA Draft, that team is the Atlanta Hawks.

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Why? Well, it’s actually pretty simple. Even though there will be a ton of smoke over the next few weeks, leading up to the NBA Draft, I firmly believe that in the end the two top picks in the draft will still end up being Luka Doncic and DeAndre Ayton.

The Suns and Kings will do their due diligence, but in the end there will be chalk at the top of the draft and the two best prospects will be off the board by the time the Atlanta Hawks go on the clock at No. 3.

Question is, what will they do when they go on the clock?

Assuming that Doncic and Ayton are off the board at that point, they will have a number of different options. They could really use any talent they can get, so perhaps taking the best player available would be the way to go.

But that’s where it gets a bit sticky. At this point in the draft, there really isn’t a hands down best player remaining candidate.

A few names to keep in mind, however, are Jaren Jackson Jr., who believe could be the best big to come out of this draft when he reaches his potential. The big problem with a selection like that, however, is that it could take some time for him to reach said potential. He’s raw and is going to need some time to develop.

Another candidate at No. 3 is Marvin Bagely, who is another big that will make a bigger difference right away. He averaged 20 and 11 for Duke during his freshman campaign, and will likely be a day 1 contributor for the Hawks.

Mo Bamba is another big that the Hawks to take at No. 3, who is barely beginning to scratch the surface of the player that he can be. He’s a freakish athlete with insane measurements. He would fit right in with any team.

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Then, there is Michael Porter Jr., who if healthy, might’ve been the top pick in the draft. But because we haven’t really seen him play much in the last year, it’s hard to take him with the first few picks in the draft. If the Hawks firmly believe that he is the best player in this draft, they could think that getting him at No. 3 is a steal.

Depending on what the Hawks do with the third pick, this NBA Draft can turn on a dime.

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