NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 10: Markelle Fultz lands in Boston

It sounds like the Atlanta Hawks may end up being sellers at this season’s trade deadline with both Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver being the subjects of trade rumors. Last year, the Hawks picked up a pair of wings in the draft to help avoid this scenario. This time around, they snag another.

Rodions Kurucs, a 6-foot-9 small forward from Latvia, would give the Hawks a quality scoring option with size playing on the perimeter. Based on the available video, Kurucs looks to be most comfortable attacking in a straight line, especially when beating a close out. More of those opportunities will come as he improves the consistency of his outside jump shot. Kurucs also possesses solid defensive quickness that should help him defend multiple spots when required at the next level.

How soon Kurucs will be ready for that next level is up for debate. The 18-year old currently plays for Barcelona’s second team and may be best leveraged as a draft-and-stash option who can continue to get playing times overseas before coming to the NBA. Whether or not the Hawks are willing to make that investment, of course, remains to be seen, but in the long run, Kurucs could help them compete in the East.