Atlanta Hawks: A look back at NBA Draft history before 2018

What can Atlanta Hawks fans expect from the 2018 NBA Draft based on where they’re selecting and who they have drafted in the past?

The Atlanta Hawks missed the playoffs in 2017-18 for the first time in 11 years as they jumpstarted their rebuilding process.

The Hawks need some help from the youth department in a big way and they will be looking to add to the youth of Taurean Prince, Kent Bazemore, John Collins and Dennis Schroder with four of the first 34 draft picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The first of those four picks comes at No. 3, where the Atlanta Hawks have selected on six occasions. They most recently drafted Al Horford there in 2007. He was a center that helped Florida win back to back NCAA championships with Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer.

Horford played nine seasons with the Hawks, leading them to the playoffs every year with the team.

Pau Gasol (2001) became an All-Star, but he never put on a jersey for Atlanta. Instead he was traded on draft day to the Grizzlies (who were in Vancouver at the time). Marvin Webster (1975) was drafted twice; he was taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Draft, but the Nuggets drafted him in the ABA Draft and were chosen over the Hawks.

Legend and Hall-of-Famer “Pistol” Pete Maravich (1970) is tied to another Hawks draft pick, Zelmo Beaty (1962). The Hawks wouldn’t have been able to draft Maravich when they traded Beaty to the San Francisco Warriors for Clyde Lee and the first round pick that was used on Maravich.

Bob Cousy (1950) was the No. 3 overall pick when the Hawks were called the Tri-Cities BlackHawks. However, after sour contract negotiations, Cousy refused to play for the BlackHawks. The Chicago Stags bought his contract, but folded as a franchise six months later. The Boston Celtics scooped him up, earning six championships with him as their point guard.

The Hawks’ success at drafting at the third spot has mirrored other teams’ success throughout the NBA when drafting third. Jayson Tatum (2017) helped the Celtics nearly pull off an upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals this year and Joel Embiid (2014) led the Philadelphia 76ers to the playoffs in his first full season.

But these three players are just the tip of the iceberg for players drafted from the third spot. The rest of the list includes arguably the greatest player of all time and perennial All-Stars:

• Otto Porter Jr. (2013)
• Bradley Beal (2012)
• Enes Kanter (2011)
• James Harden (2009)
• Deron Williams (2005)
• Carmelo Anthony (2003)
• Mike Dunleavy (2002)
• Baron Davis (1999)
• Chauncey Billups (1997)
• Grant Hill (1994)
• Anfernee Hardaway (1993)
• Christian Laettner (1992)
• Sean Elliott (1989)
• Charles Smith (1988)
• Michael Jordan (1984)
• Dominique Wilkins (1982)
• Kevin McHale (1980)
• Bill Cartwright (1979)

With the third pick of the draft this year, the Atlanta Hawks have many options to select from as a possible face of the franchise.

Atlanta Hawks’ track record when drafting from No. 19

For the second year in a row, the Atlanta Hawks will be able to grab a player at the 19th spot in the draft; last year it was forward John Collins from Wake Forest. Collins put up 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, making the All-Rookie second team.

Jeff Teague (2009), played seven seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, making the All-Star game in 2014-15. Billy Thompson (1986) was picked back when the draft still had more than two rounds, but never played for the Hawks due to a draft-day trade.

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Bill Willoughby (1975) and Charlie Hardnett (1962) were both pre-merger draft picks. Willoughby spent two seasons with the Hawks, but was never more than a journeyman in the NBA. Hardnett was traded a few months after being drafted and never played for the Hawks.

Draft picks selected at 19 aren’t usually known for longevity; of the 64 players drafted in this spot, only 26 ever played over 300 games in their career. Jerry Sloan (1965) made a name for himself with his defense, but is more well-known for coaching the Utah Jazz from 1988-2011, earning over 1,200 wins as the first coach to ever hit 1,000 wins for one team.

Other notable names on the list of draftees at the No. 19 spot include Zach Randolph (2001), Dee Brown (1990), Rod Strickland (1988), John Paxson (1983) and Hall-of-Famer Tiny Archibald (1970).

The Hawks shouldn’t expect a home run with the 19th pick, but with this draft class being so deep, there’s an excellent chance they can find a player that can contribute off the bench immediately, if not even start for them.

Atlanta Hawks track’ record when drafting from No. 30 and No. 34

The only lottery-era draft pick at No. 30 for the Atlanta Hawks was Rodney Monroe (1991) and it was actually a second round pick; Monroe lasted one season with the team.

Tom Chilton (1961), Horace Walker (1960) and Julius Peques (1958) were drafted by but never played for the Hawks; Chilton and Peques never even played a game in the NBA.

Notable players from the 30th pick are Jimmy Butler (2011), David Lee (2005), Anderson Varejao (2004) and Nate McMillan (1986). Both Lee and Butler made All-Star games while Varejao was a slightly effective but often injured center during his career. McMillan played guard in the 1980s and early 1990s then coached the Portland Trail Blazers for eight seasons. He currently coaches the Indiana Pacers.

The Atlanta Hawks have drafted twice from No. 34: Donta Smith (2004) and Gaylon Nickerson (1996). Smith played just two seasons with the Hawks and found limited success playing internationally. Nickerson never played for the Hawks and played a combined four games between the Spurs and Bullets.

The 34th pick hasn’t been kind to many teams at the 30th pick, though the pre-merger years gave us two All-Stars. Don Buse (1972) made both the ABA and NBA All-Star Games while Norm Van Lier (1969) made three All-Star games with the Chicago Bulls.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Final edition

The Atlanta Hawks could potentially fast-track their rebuild with this draft. While they could package players and picks to move up in the draft or become a player in free agency, four of the first 34 picks could go a long way for them to be contenders once again.