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Atlanta Hawks: 5 options for pick No. 31 in the 2017 NBA Draft

By Brendan Galella

Nov 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) puts up a shot during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Madison Square Garden. Southern Methodist won, 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) puts up a shot during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Madison Square Garden. Southern Methodist won, 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) puts up a shot during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Madison Square Garden. Southern Methodist won, 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) puts up a shot during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Madison Square Garden. Southern Methodist won, 76-67. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Hawks have the first pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft, placing the team in perfect territory to land any talented players that unexpectedly slip outside of the first 30 selections.

Part of the reason Travis Schlenk was appointed as the general manager for the Atlanta Hawks last month was for his ability to identify talent.

Schlenk opted to immediately resign from Golden State, bypassing the opportunity to be part of the championship run for the team, to better prepare for both free agency and the 2017 NBA Draft.

Among the pressing concerns for Atlanta this summer are the six unrestricted free agents on the roster, including Paul Millsap, an All-Star in each of the past four seasons. Tim Hardaway Jr. is likely to generate plenty of interest as a restricted free agent this summer after leading the Hawks with 149 made shots from three-point range last season.

Only Schlenk will have an opportunity to round out his roster, or add potential replacements in the 2017 NBA Draft with three selections.

Schlenk was partially responsible for Golden State landing Draymond Green with the 35th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Since then, Green has been named to the All-Star team in each of the past two years and is one of three finalists for the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

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Atlanta will select 19th in the first round, along with the first and last selections in the second round. The 31st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft went to Atlanta as part of the Joe Johnson trade, a deal completed five years ago.

Perhaps no choice is more coveted outside of the lottery than the 31st overall pick, as second round selections are free to negotiate any contract, unlike first round selections.

The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement negotiated a scale for first-rounders between the league and player’s union. Any player selected outside of the lottery is more in control of their earnings if selected in the second round.

For any player that unexpectedly slides at the 2017 NBA Draft, Atlanta will be waiting to capitalize. Here are five players the Atlanta Hawks are hoping last until the second round later this month.

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