The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA’s top overall draft pick Sunday afternoon. The Hawks had less than a one percent chance to win and have come home with all the momentum heading into the NBA Draft on June 26-27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta General Manager Landry Fields took questions from local media following the accomplishment, the first in the history of the franchise, and said, “This is great for our franchise. This is just another tool for us.”
Last year’s overall number one selection, Spurs forward and Rookie of the Year selection Victor Wembanyama, was what could be described as a franchise-altering pick. This year’s draft doesn’t immediately lend itself to having a player of Wembanyama’s caliber, but there are a number of interesting prospects and, as always, trade options when you have the top pick.
Asked how he and the Hawks braintrust are going to temper expectations from fans and the media, this is uncharted territory for the franchise after all, Fields said, “That’s a good question. I think we will continue to keep leaning into our process.”
Fields said the Hawks will keep all options open and that he is looking forward to watching all of the prospects at the NBA Draft Combine this coming week in Chicago. The combine will take place at Wintrust Arena and subsequent interviews between players and team executives will take place at the Marriott Marquis .
“I’m looking forward to actually speaking with the guys” and “connecting with the guys,” said Landry during the Zoom call with media Sunday afternoon.
Last year’s first round selection was guard Kobe Bufkin with the 15th overall pick.