5 Players The Hawks Could Target With Pick No. 23

Much of the conversation as the NBA Draft approaches surrounds who the Hawks will take with the 8th overall pick — as it should. Atlanta has a real chance of adding a franchise-altering piece to their already impressive young core, but they also own the 23rd pick, and in a draft class this loaded, that selection shouldn’t be overlooked.

Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa

If the Hawks don’t go the point guard route at 8, they could look to address it at 23 — and Stirtz could be the best player available at this slot.

After a monster year at Drake, Stirtz transferred to Iowa and led the Hawkeyes to the Elite Eight. He shot 35.8% from three this season, but he was asked to carry a heavy load offensively and shot the ball really well at the NBA Combine. There’s enough reason to believe he’s a better three-point shooter than that number suggests, and he’s a crafty finisher around the rim despite not possessing elite athleticism. A solid pickup late in the first round at a position of need.

Henri Veesaar, F/C, North Carolina

Outside of point guard, the other glaring need for the Hawks is frontcourt depth. Veesaar starred at North Carolina after transferring from Arizona, averaging 17 points per game and shooting 42.6% from beyond the arc — borderline unbelievable for a near seven-footer. He continued to showcase that shooting ability at the NBA Combine as well.

Veesaar isn’t the imposing defensive presence the Hawks might ideally want at center, but he’s athletic and mobile enough to play the four or the five. The upside this late in the first round is hard to ignore.

Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas

After two seasons at Xavier, Swain transferred to Texas and starred as a junior — averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He has ideal size for a modern NBA wing and his do-it-all ability stood out every time the Longhorns took the court.

The shooting is a legitimate concern. He shot just 34.4% from three this past season after shooting 25% as a sophomore, and he’ll need to improve drastically in that area to become a starter at the next level. But it’s rare to find this kind of physical profile paired with his level of college production this late in the first round.

Ebuka Okorie, PG, Stanford

Okorie starred as a freshman at Stanford, averaging 23.2 points per game behind his tremendous shooting range and pace off the dribble. He was more of a volume scorer than a playmaker this past season, but the fact that he’s still just 19 years old makes him a really intriguing option late in the first round. In terms of upside, Okorie might be the Hawks’ best bet at 23 — and it doesn’t hurt that he plays a position of need.

Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke

Evans has really good size for the wing at just under 6-foot-6, and he’s an elite shooter who connected at 38% from three over two seasons at Duke. He’s more athletic than he looks, capable of rising above defenders and finishing at the rim, and he improved considerably on the defensive end during his college career. He’ll need to add strength as he transitions to the next level, but if he does, he projects as a starting-caliber two-way player.

—

Photo: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire