2014 NBA Draft: Grading each team’s draft
By Brad Rowland
Atlanta Hawks
With the ultra-tight feel of the Atlanta Hawks front office under the leadership of Danny Ferry, absolutely no one seems to know what they will do. Atlanta was tied to players from virtually every position on the floor, and while their biggest need remains on the wing, the Hawks chose to go the “best available” route in selecting Michigan State power forward Adreian Payne.
Payne is seemingly an ideal fit in Mike Budenholzer’s offense, as he can stretch the floor with a 6-foot-10 frame, and it is hard to imagine the Hawks adding a player who would be better suited to help them as a rookie. Later, Atlanta stashed big man Walter Tavares with an early second round pick (7-foot-9 wingspan!) and picked up former Pittsburgh swingman Lamar Patterson as a potential end-of-the-bench option on the wing, but Thursday night was about Adreian Payne, and that was a nice pick by Ferry and company.
Grade: A-