Hawks Draft Two Wings at #12 and #21

Hawks Draft Two Wings at #12 and #21

Hawks will receive draft rights to #12 pick Taurean Prince and drafted DeAndre' Bembry outright at #21.

Hawks will receive draft rights to #12 pick Taurean Prince and drafted DeAndre' Bembry outright at #21.

#12 Taurean Prince 

Taurean Prince was selected by the Utah Jazz in the lottery but will be sent to Atlanta as part of a three team swap that sent Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers and George Hill to the Jazz. Prince is a 6'7" small forward with a 7 foot wingspan. His size and length is ideal for the SF position in the NBA, even though he is only an average athlete by the same standards. Many predicted he would slide into the back end of the first round after a poor pre-draft showing, but the Hawks weren't scared away and snatched him instead of hoping he'd be around when they picked again at #21. His shooting percentages fluctuated widely in his four years at Baylor, but he finished with a solid career average line of 46% FG/38% 3PT/72% FT. Hawks fans are hoping he develops into DeMarre Carroll 2.0, but Hawks officials will be happy with a good role player. 

He's the type of player the Hawks like for their system: a high-energy guy who can impact both ends of the floor in some way. Though he spent four years in college, he is still only 21 years old. To excel at the next level, he'll obviously have to work on a few things. Though his frame is already solid, he'll need to add just a little more weight to his 215 lbs frame. He'll also need to improve on his ball handling and passing. 

#21 DeAndre' Bembry

The Hawks selected St. Joseph's wing DeAndre' Bembry with their own pick at #21. This pick puzzled quite a few Hawks followers as the weakest aspects of his game are what the Hawks usually covet most: defense and shooting. Bembry is one of the rare players whose shooting percentages actually digressed each season during his three years in college. He finished with a career shooting line of 46% FG/31% 3PT/63% FT. The last two averages are not a great indication that there's much room for growth for Bembry's shooting at the next level. At 6'5" he's too short to play SF in the NBA, but his lack of shooting doesn't bode well for his chances at SG either. Though he likes to play above the rim, much like Prince his athleticism is league average. 

Bembry does have a 6'9" wingspan that makes his height and length reminiscent of last season's starter at SF for the Hawks, Kent Bazemore. However, Bembry doesn't have the same defensive tenacity and know-how that allowed Bazemore's value to skyrocket. So what inspired the Hawks draft him? His ball handling, rebounding, and passing ability. He has the sort of old school handles that can lull defenders to sleep, much like NBA veterans Andre Miller and Shaun Livingston. He won't blow by you after an ankle breaker, but will dribble patiently until a defender is off balance and make his next move. Perhaps the Hawks will look to develop him as specialty post up play maker, much like those two veterans are. Realistically, his ceiling is that of a D-League fixture. 

Second Round

With their 44th pick, the Hawks selected French SG Isaia Cordinier. Over the past four seasons, Atlanta has been able to find value in the second round. Cordinier will likely not join the Hawks this season, but could end up making the roster in a few years. He is a fluid athlete with good size at 6'5" and a 6'8" wingspan. He shows an explosion and quickness in his movement that isn't often seen from raw 19 year old prospects. He'll need to add weight to his 177 pound frame, but has plenty of time to do so.

He isn't a great shooter, but is currently learning how to catch on the bounce. From the waist up, his shooting motion is fundamentally consistent and effortless. He seems to have the type of motor that powers him to play both ends of the floor. He also plays above the rim, much like the other two players the Hawks drafted this year, but makes it look a little easier. It's extremely hard to guess his ceiling as a young player with only French Pro B league experience, but his range is anywhere from a guy who never sees an NBA minute to a solid sixth man. 

The Hawks then selected fan favorite PG Kay Felder at #54 but promptly sold his rights to Cleveland. 

What's Next?

I'll be writing more about this in the coming days, but from these picks alone it seems like the Hawks are confident in re-signing Horford and finding a back-up PG in free agency. It seems as though they are banking on resigning Bazemore, too. 

#12 Taurean Prince 

Taurean Prince was selected by the Utah Jazz in the lottery but will be sent to Atlanta as part of a three team swap that sent Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers and George Hill to the Jazz. Prince is a 6'7" small forward with a 7 foot wingspan. His size and length is ideal for the SF position in the NBA, even though he is only an average athlete by the same standards. Many predicted he would slide into the back end of the first round after a poor pre-draft showing, but the Hawks weren't scared away and snatched him instead of hoping he'd be around when they picked again at #21. His shooting percentages fluctuated widely in his four years at Baylor, but he finished with a solid career average line of 46% FG/38% 3PT/72% FT. Hawks fans are hoping he develops into DeMarre Carroll 2.0, but Hawks officials will be happy with a good role player. 

He's the type of player the Hawks like for their system: a high-energy guy who can impact both ends of the floor in some way. Though he spent four years in college, he is still only 21 years old. To excel at the next level, he'll obviously have to work on a few things. Though his frame is already solid, he'll need to add just a little more weight to his 215 lbs frame. He'll also need to improve on his ball handling and passing. 

#21 DeAndre' Bembry

The Hawks selected St. Joseph's wing DeAndre' Bembry with their own pick at #21. This pick puzzled quite a few Hawks followers as the weakest aspects of his game are what the Hawks usually covet most: defense and shooting. Bembry is one of the rare players whose shooting percentages actually digressed each season during his three years in college. He finished with a career shooting line of 46% FG/31% 3PT/63% FT. The last two averages are not a great indication that there's much room for growth for Bembry's shooting at the next level. At 6'5" he's too short to play SF in the NBA, but his lack of shooting doesn't bode well for his chances at SG either. Though he likes to play above the rim, much like Prince his athleticism is league average. 

Bembry does have a 6'9" wingspan that makes his height and length reminiscent of last season's starter at SF for the Hawks, Kent Bazemore. However, Bembry doesn't have the same defensive tenacity and know-how that allowed Bazemore's value to skyrocket. So what inspired the Hawks draft him? His ball handling, rebounding, and passing ability. He has the sort of old school handles that can lull defenders to sleep, much like NBA veterans Andre Miller and Shaun Livingston. He won't blow by you after an ankle breaker, but will dribble patiently until a defender is off balance and make his next move. Perhaps the Hawks will look to develop him as specialty post up play maker, much like those two veterans are. Realistically, his ceiling is that of a D-League fixture. 

Second Round

With their 44th pick, the Hawks selected French SG Isaia Cordinier. Over the past four seasons, Atlanta has been able to find value in the second round. Cordinier will likely not join the Hawks this season, but could end up making the roster in a few years. He is a fluid athlete with good size at 6'5" and a 6'8" wingspan. He shows an explosion and quickness in his movement that isn't often seen from raw 19 year old prospects. He'll need to add weight to his 177 pound frame, but has plenty of time to do so.

He isn't a great shooter, but is currently learning how to catch on the bounce. From the waist up, his shooting motion is fundamentally consistent and effortless. He seems to have the type of motor that powers him to play both ends of the floor. He also plays above the rim, much like the other two players the Hawks drafted this year, but makes it look a little easier. It's extremely hard to guess his ceiling as a young player with only French Pro B league experience, but his range is anywhere from a guy who never sees an NBA minute to a solid sixth man. 

The Hawks then selected fan favorite PG Kay Felder at #54 but promptly sold his rights to Cleveland. 

What's Next?

I'll be writing more about this in the coming days, but from these picks alone it seems like the Hawks are confident in re-signing Horford and finding a back-up PG in free agency. It seems as though they are banking on resigning Bazemore, too. 

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