Why Atlanta Hawks could land their future backcourt and frontcourt in the first round

Why Atlanta Hawks could land their future backcourt and frontcourt in the first round originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Hawks enter the upcoming NBA Draft in an interesting position, holding two first-round picks and looking to reshape the future of the franchise following the departure of Trae Young. With the eighth overall selection, one prospect who makes tremendous sense for Atlanta is Mikel Brown Jr., a dynamic lead guard whose offensive creativity could help redefine the Hawks’ backcourt. Meanwhile, with the 23rd overall pick, Atlanta could take a long-term swing on intriguing big man prospect Chris Cenac Jr..

Atlanta’s biggest need is clear: the roster lacks a true floor general capable of consistently organizing the offense, creating advantages in pick-and-roll situations, and generating easy looks for teammates. Brown possesses all the tools to fill that role at a high level.

The 6-foot-5 freshman guard flashed elite offensive upside whenever he was healthy this season. Although a lingering back injury impacted his consistency, Brown still showcased deep shooting range, advanced passing vision, and the ability to collapse defenses. When he found his rhythm, few guards in college basketball were more dangerous. Brown exploded for 45 points with 10 made three-pointers against NC State and consistently displayed elite creativity as a ball-screen playmaker. Some scouts believe he has the upside to become one of the NBA’s best pure facilitators because of his ability to create passing angles others simply do not see.