Under first year head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Atlanta Hawks went 38-44 despite losing their best player, center Al Horford, for the season. They then pushed the top-seeded Indiana Pacers to seven games before bowing out in the postseason.
Although the Hawks look like they could be a “hot free agent option,” they are obviously going to try to improve through the draft as well.
According to David Pick, a senior correspondent at Euro Basket and ONE.co.il and a contributor to Sportando, Mike Budenholzer is in Croaita to watch highly-touted prospect Dario Saric.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer, I'm told, is scouting in Croatia. Watched projected draftee Dario Saric in flesh.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) May 13, 2014
Mike Budenholzer was spotted in Croatia with longtime Euro-coach Neven Spahija. Watched Dario Saric drop 24 points on 9-of-12 FGs.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) May 13, 2014
Saric is projected as the 10th-overall pick according to Draft Express so the Hawks may have to move up from 15 to get him if he is indeed their guy.
The 6’10, 223-pound forward averaged 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for Cibona Zagreb this season.