NBA Draft 2019: 5 best fits for Bol Bol

1. Atlanta Hawks (No. 8 pick, No. 10 pick, No. 17 pick)

If Bol does end up going high in the draft, Atlanta is definitely the best landing spot for him. In terms of offensive system, development staff, and lineup construction, it’s hard to pick a better place for Bol. They have Trae Young, a gravity-bending point guard who can create wide-open swaths of space for Bol to operate as a secondary scorer and shooter. They have John Collins, a high energy rebounder and dunker who can handle the dirty work on the glass and allow Bol to roam as a shot blocker on defense. And if they draft De’Andre Hunter with their other pick, they’ll have a great option to throw at most of the league’s elite offensive wings around Bol on the perimeter. If you’re going to create an ideal context for Bol, a fast-paced offense with a shooting point guard, good two-way wings and a mobile, strong big man partner is a pretty great set-up.

The defensive concerns that plagued Atlanta last year would still be there, but this team would have a frightening offense, and with Lloyd Pierce’s seemingly excellent development staff on hand, there’s hope that a Bol/Collins pairing could be made into something relevant on defense. Atlanta also represents the best timeline for Bol, realistically — a team that is going to be competitive as early as next year but can afford to let Bol figure some stuff out before they really need him to become a potential playoff contributor in a meaningful way. The No. 10 pick may seem too early for Bol, but it may end up being the best possible situation for him moving forward.