Atlanta Hawks: 4 prospects to target with the No 6. overall pick

The Wildcard: Killian Hayes, G, Ulm ratiopharm (France)

The biggest wildcard in this entire draft might also be the wildcard selection for the Hawks at number six. French guard Killian Hayes seems to be a polarizing prospect that most analysts are split on, but some have called him the best prospect in this class.

Hayes is a dazzling scorer and playmaker who reminds some of former MVP James Harden and a backcourt combination of him and Young, would have NBA geeks everywhere drooling. It also might be a combination that is too tantalizing for Travis Schlenk to pass up if Hayes were to be there when Atlanta selects. He averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game on 45.5 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3 for the BBL club Ulm ratiopharm last season.

Hayes also already has a decorated National team resume, helping France earn a gold medal in the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championships and being named MVP of the event.

Alongside LaMelo Ball, Hayes is probably the best playmaker in this class and also sports the most dynamic handle of any prospect. He possesses a lethal stepback already, scores off the dribble with ease, and is an effortless shot creator. The comparisons to Harden, Manu Ginobili, Goran Dragic, and D’Angelo Russell are warranted.

Teaming Hayes with Young could be a match made in hoops heaven and become Atlanta’s version of Curry and Thompson or Lillard and McCollum. Marching out a roster of Young, Collins, Hayes, Huerter, Hunter, Reddish, and Capela would give Atlanta one of the most intriguing young cores in basketball, providing a picture to a limitless future.

Now defensively, Hayes doesn’t do much to help Atlanta’s issues there right away, he’s definitely flawed as a defender. He has habits that a lot of young players do with watching the ball, getting beat off the dribble to easily or over-helping and putting his team in a bad rotation.

These are things that aren’t going to address the defensive disaster that the Hawks have become, but Hayes star potential and the chance to pair him with Young might be worth the growing pains.

I do believe the effort is there though from Hayes on the defensive end and think he could develop into a respectable defender, capable of switching onto multiple positions. He’s a solid team defender already and the offensive upside is worth dealing with the momentary defensive headaches.

Hayes could be a home run pick for Atlanta and is the most exciting pick they could make at number six, for my money.