Close Article Return to stream X
NBA

2015 NBA Draft: 5 Perfect First-Round Fits For Atlanta Hawks

+Read full article

2015 NBA Draft: 5 Perfect First-Round Fits For Atlanta Hawks

Jeff Teague Atlanta hawks
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries and stagnant offense led to an Eastern Conference Finals loss for the Atlanta Hawks. Contrary to popular belief, Kent Bazemore can only fill in for one injured player, so the Hawks will be looking to grab a key scorer from the bench. Here are the five best first-round fits for Atlanta with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

No. 5 Jerian Grant SG – Notre Dame

Jerian Grant
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5 Jerian Grant SG – Notre Dame

Jerian Grant
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A clutch, go-to player at Notre Dame, Grant is a scoring machine. Some questionable shot selection could lead to the Hawks leaning another way, however.

No. 4 Trey Lyles PF – Kentucky

Lyles NBA
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4 Trey Lyles PF – Kentucky

Lyles NBA
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Lyles is young and showed out for Kentucky last season. He could be a key piece to another Eastern Conference Finals run for Atlanta as a rookie.

No. 3 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF – Arizona

Hollis-Jefferson
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson SF – Arizona

Hollis-Jefferson
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Hollis-Jefferson is just 20 with high potential. If the Hawks could bring him into the squad as a backup or potential replacement for DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta could be gaining a star.

No. 2 Cameron Payne PG – Murray State

 Murray State Coach
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 Cameron Payne PG – Murray State

 Murray State Coach
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Hawks are not necessarily desperate for another point guard, but if Payne is available it will be hard to pass up on that type of potential.

No. 1 Bobby Portis PF – Arkansas

Bobby Portis NBA
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Bobby Portis PF – Arkansas

Bobby Portis NBA
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most underrated players in the entire draft, Portis dominated during his time in the SEC. Last season’s SEC Player of the Year, Portis is the type of all-around talented player that fits the Hawks’ scheme perfectly.

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Your Favorites
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NBA Videos

Nance Jr. Proves White Men Can Jump By Posterizing Horford

Things haven't gone swimmingly for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but one of very few silver linings they can take away from this lowly campaign is Larry Nance Jr.'s potential. He might never be a star in the NBA, but undoubtedly appears to be a worthwhile rotation piece. This posterization of Al Horford perfectly proves that statement.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NBA Videos

Watch Draymond Green Steal The Ball and Save It Too

Draymond Green doesn't make the highlight reels as often as some of his teammates, but the combination of strength, athletic ability and awareness he displayed with a steal Tuesday night was fantastic.

Comment 0 Comments
 
 
Close Article Return to stream X
NBA Videos

Bulls' Doug McDermott Proves White Men Can Jump

With Jimmy Butler out, Doug McDermott is getting more run than he normally would for the Chicago Bulls. While the verdict is still out on the former Creighton standout, this epic dunk in which he proved white men can jump against the Atlanta Hawks was the perfect way to showcase his otherworldly athleticism.

Comment 0 Comments