The Atlanta Hawks had a successful 2015-16 season with a 48-34 record. While that didn’t get them a championship, the team performed up to expectations. The team has come for the team to look ahead to the 2016-17 season now with the NBA Draft coming up on June 23. There are several needs that the team has moving forward especially with key free agents possibly leaving the team.
Al Horford, who averaged 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds a game is an unrestricted free agent and because of that, the team needs to find another rebounder in case Horford leaves town. This may not be the easiest of tasks though especially without a lottery pick. The Hawks could also lose Kent Bazemore in free agency as well so it forces the team to look for a small forward and a center to replace those two.
The Hawks have the No. 21 pick and some experts believe that the Hawks will take Syracuse forward Malachi Richardson, who has been rising up draft boards faster than many other players looking ahead. Richardson has the chance to come right in and shock fans in Atlanta with his athletic ability. He could be the steal of the draft. Now it’s only a matter if Richardson will still be there when the team picks later in the first round.
NBA Draft 2016: Atlanta Hawks Draft Picks, Holes & Needs
