The Reach: Patrick Williams, F, Florida St.
Patrick Williams is a really solid player and I do think he’d fit well in Atlanta, but taking him sixth overall would be a stretch for me. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported in his Mock Draft 1.0 that multiple sources have said Williams is drawing interest from mid-to-late lottery teams.
So clearly there is some buzz about the Florida State freshman, but I still don’t think that would justify taking him in the top 10. Williams only averaged 9.2 points per game last season for the Seminoles, but his Per 40 numbers of 16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game are interesting at the very least.
He’d give Atlanta another versatile wing next to Hunter and Reddish who really comes from the same “3-and-D” mold. His rebounding, size, defense, and shooting would fit well with the Hawks, as well as his ability to score off the dribble.
I like Williams and could see him developing into a Danilo Gallinari-Rudy Gay type wing, but there is also a good chance he’s a role-playing swing forward like Marcus Morris. That would give me pause taking him or anyone like that in the lottery, let alone with the sixth pick.
I still think there are real questions about his shooting ability too, he only shot 32 percent from beyond the arc last season and his shot creation ability are still inconsistent. I could understand the fit for the Hawks and Williams should be a rotation player in this league, but taking him in the top seven would be hard to justify at this point.