Atlanta Hawks: 2019 NBA Draft grades
No. 10 pick: Cam Reddish
Remember that trade the Hawks pulled off with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft that allowed the Mavs to draft likely Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic? The Hawks picked up their future point guard in that trade, but they also picked up a top-five protected 2019 draft pick.
That protected pick turned out to be a lottery pick this year as the Mavericks didn’t make the playoffs, but weren’t bad enough to be in the bottom-five of the league standings either. That pick then turned into forward Cam Reddish, a very good third fiddle from the Duke Blue Devils.
When it was announced the Hawks were able to select Reddish, there was no shortage of celebrations.
Volume Up: The @ATLHawks watch party's reaction to the @camreddish pick is LOUD. pic.twitter.com/HQ9HOBv8Kh
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) June 21, 2019
Point guard Trae Young was quick to get on the horn with the former Duke phenom.
https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/1141882820333383683
In addition to Hawks Twitter being ecstatic for Reddish coming to Atlanta, the NFL world got in on the excitement as well. The Falcons threw their support over to the Hawks and even Patrick Mahomes was in their corner.
Reddish will be able to come into Atlanta and not face the pressure he may have had with most other franchises that held a lottery pick. He was the third fiddle at Duke thanks to Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett, but being a third option for the Hawks should suit his skill-set very well.
Schlenk immediately references that Reddish can "dribble, pass and shoot."
— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) June 21, 2019
Says they love Reddish's "commitment to team."
There are a few drawbacks to this pick, as Reddish will have to improve his stroke from the perimeter to be a true threat. He shot just 39.4 percent from the field last season for Duke, including 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
He’ll also miss NBA Summer League play due to recovering from surgery on his core muscle, but the Hawks are confident with his fit, adding even more depth to their bevy of wing players.
Reddish will have time to adjust to the NBA pace and gives Pierce flexibility in spacing the court by using him at the 3 or even 2, depending on the rest of his lineup on the court. But the potential is there for Reddish to become the sharpshooter the team needs to be “Golden State East.”
Grade: B+