Atlanta Hawks: 3 goals for Alex Len in 2018-19
1. Live up to the hype of the 5th overall pick
- 2013: Alex Len
- 2012: Thomas Robinson
- 2011: Jonas Valanciunas
- 2010: DeMarcus Cousins
- 2009: Ricky Rubio
- 2008: Kevin Love
There’s some elite company coming from this spot in the draft. There have also been players coming from the No. 5 spot that never amounted to much. Thomas Robinson, mostly considered a bust, was just signed to a non-guaranteed contract by the Hawks, according to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania.
Being picked at No. 5, there are certain expectations surrounding a player, even if it they are not necessarily fair. The precedent has been set by players that have come before.
DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Love are multiple time All-Stars. Jonas Valanciunas and Ricky Rubio are important pieces on playoff teams. Len has been on the perpetually bad Phoenix Suns for the entirety of his career. Here in Atlanta, he is going to have a great opportunity to change the narrative.
Next. Top 10 candidates for 2018-19 Defensive Player of the Year. dark
With talented young players like Taurean Waller-Prince, Trae Young and John Collins by his side, there is a lot of upside to this team. It may not be this season or even next, but if Len can play like the player the Suns thought they drafted in 2013, this could end up as a massive free agency steal for the Atlanta Hawks.