What does the No. 1 overall pick mean for the Atlanta Hawks?

In the midst of the weekend’s NBA playoffs, the NBA Draft Lottery results dominated headlines for a few hours on Sunday. Surprising the basketball world, the Atlanta Hawks took advantage of their 3% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. Much to the dismay of less successful teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta defied all odds.

They now find themselves in a unique position for a team holding the first overall pick. Just three years after a memorable Eastern Conference Finals, superstar Trae Young is still orchestrating the offense. Still 26 years old, the 6-foot-1 point guard is in his prime and under contract for three more seasons.

Besides him, Dejounte Murray, Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanovic, among others, are influential contributors. Forward Jalen Johnson is one of the league’s most underrated prospects, and young players AJ Griffin, Onyeka Okungwu and Kobe Bufkin are generating intrigue. Atlanta is far from devoid of talent. The No. 1 pick gives them a golden opportunity to rebuild, but also a chance to build the best version of themselves around their franchise’s best talent of the century. Perhaps the Hawks’ current core isn’t exactly one that could possibly compete, but the No. 1 overall pick paves the way for them to accumulate the talent, assets and appeal needed to make the necessary improvements in the future .

But the choice itself is the first step. Alex Sarr has emerged as an early favorite, but Donovan Clingan is emerging as an even bigger alternative. The upside of Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis is also attractive. Any of these options would create a frontcourt duo alongside Johnson, laying the foundation for Atlanta’s long-term infrastructure, even beyond Young.

Over the next month and a half, the Hawks will have to work to make this pick a success and potentially take the franchise to heights it has never truly reached.

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