Atlanta Hawks: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) and forward Paul Millsap (4) defend against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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6. Eddie Johnson (SG) — No.49 pick in 1977 NBA Draft

Career stats (with Hawks): 619 GP, 15.6 PPG, 5.2 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 47.8 FG%, 31.4 3P%, 79.3 FT%

Easily the best value pick the Atlanta Hawks have ever made was choosing Auburn guard Eddie Johnson with the fifth pick of the third round in the 1977 NBA Draft.

The 6’2″ guard used his blazing speed to create scoring opportunities for himself and disrupt opposing offensive sets.

In four consecutive seasons, Johnson averaged at least 1.5 steals per game, earning him two straight selections to the All-Defensive Second Team and scored 15 or more points per game six times for Atlanta.

Johnson was selected as an All-Star in consecutive seasons (1979 and 1980) and thrived in his debut against the best players in the league. During the 1979 All-Star contest in Detroit, Johnson posted 22 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field to go along with seven assists and six steals.

Aside from the selections of Otis Bridsong, Jack Sikma, Bernard King and a few others in the 1977 NBA Draft, the rest of the league certainly has plenty of regrets for passing on Johnson so frequently.

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