Atlanta Hawks: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

Atlanta Hawks: Ranking the last 10 first round picks

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 29: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks stands during the National Anthem prior to an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at State Farm Arena on February 29, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

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Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Number 10: Adreian Payne

Adreian Payne was a questionable selection the moment the Hawks picked him at 15th overall. Payne would only appear in three games for the Hawks after bouncing back and forth between two different G-League teams and dealing with a myriad of injuries. He debuted on December 26, 2014, and scored two points and grabbed three rebounds in 13 minutes of action.

The highlighted time of his career would be in Minnesota and he would average 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds over 99 games overall. He was traded to Minnesota in February of his rookie season for a future protected first-round pick.

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His time in Minnesota would end in 2017 after missing some games mid-season for a blood condition and he signed a two-way contract with Orlando. After appearing in only five games for the Magic he was waived after being connected to a scandal dating back to his time in college. Since then he has exclusively played overseas.

It is unfair to blame them for passing on Nikola Jokic in this draft as he slid all the way to 41, meaning every team in the first round passed on the chance. However, Jusuf Nurkic went right after Payne so some criticism is definitely warranted.

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