2018 NBA Mock Draft: What’s in store for the second round?
player. 125. . G. Villanova. Jalen Brunson. 30
After losing their two best players and their coach over the course of three offseasons, the Hawks are now basically left with nothing as they embark on a rebuild. You could maybe consider Taurean Prince or John Collins as pieces moving forward, but those guys’ ceilings likely put them as the fourth or fifth best players on great teams.
Not only do the Hawks not have a star, they don’t even have players who project to be complementary to a star. With three first-rounders this season, Atlanta has an opportunity to restock the cupboard and set themselves up for the future.
It seems, based on ESPN placing Brunson as their No. 26 prospect based on intel from around the league, that he will be picked in the first round. Whichever team takes him will have to feel solid about his potential to be a starting point guard at the NBA level, because his ceiling doesn’t appear to be much higher than that. It’s difficult to imagine Brunson, who lacks the explosiveness to consistently create good shots and at 6-3 has a long road toward positive defensive contribution, being much better than an average starter.
Atlanta can’t shoot for the moon with every pick, and locking in a starter to join Collins and Prince in the future would create a more cohesive core for the team.