By Drayton Hogarth

The NBA season is winding down, and when the NBA Finals are completed some look at it as the end of the 2015-16 season; then there are those who look at it as the beginning of the 2016-17 season.

For those who love the NBA offseason almost as much as the regular season, we all know that free agent signings, player trades, and of course the NBA Draft are right around the corner.

Teams are able to restock their player rosters, as well as give their fans hope and some idea of what to look forward to in the upcoming season.

Today, let’s focus on the Atlanta Hawks draft prospects. The Hawks, barring any trading of draft picks, hold the 21st, 44th, and 54th selections. Our main focus today will be on that number 21 pick and who the Hawks should bring into the fold.

At the point in the draft where the Hawks will be selecting, there are not any “projected” franchise players. However, there can be key additions to a roster to bolster a lineup, or occasionally NBA executives and coaches simply underestimate a player’s drive and desire to succeed on the big stage.

The good news for the Hawks is this draft seems to be a pretty deep talent pool from which to choose. There are two players who seem to jump off the board to me, depending on availability that fit into the Budenholzer system.

Denzel Valentine is the do it all player for Coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State. Valentine stayed in Lansing for his entire eligibility, and practically became a coach on the court for the Spartans.

Valentine is 6’5” 210 pounds, and was the main ball handler on the floor. Valentine was player of the year last season in college basketball and shows great leadership and tenacity on the defensive side of the floor as well.

One unfair knock against collegiate seniors is the nagging question of, “Well, if they are such good players, why did they not jump to the NBA sooner?” Valentine seems to be on the receiving end of this unfair and practically unanswerable criticism. The biggest drawback for this heady player is he may be somewhat limited athletically at the next level, and may have reached his ceiling in player development.

Another player that made a major name for himself by being one of the top high school recruits in the country, is that of Thon Maker.

The thing is Maker never played for any college, he petitioned the NBA to be draft eligible without ever having to play collegiately, and won due to his playing for a club team in Canada instead of at college in the States.

Maker is originally from the Sudan. His family immigrated to Australia when he was five, and then moved to the US when Maker was eleven. Already standing at 7’ tall, Maker has the game of a stretch power forward, but better passing and ball handling.

He presents a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses given his ability to drive, and a strong mid-range game.
From all scouting reports, Maker is also extremely driven and very coachable, constantly working on his game, and has expanded his shooting range.

The knock on Maker is, despite his height and game combination, he is still rail thin at 215 pounds. Teams will have to answer the question of whether his game of a small forward will be able to match up with the body of a center?

The Hawks would be improved with the addition of either player. Valentine is a much more NBA ready player, but Maker just seems to have such a high potential. With strong development and coaching, he could turn into a franchise type of player, something the Hawks desperately need.