Atlanta Hawks' Top Needs After 2026 NBA Draft Lottery Results

The NBA Draft lottery is in the books, and the Atlanta Hawks are now set at pick No. 8.

As they continue to evaluate the prospects who may be available there, we're here to break down the biggest needs for Atlanta to address in the draft.

Backcourt Creator

The Trae Young-for-CJ McCollum swap clearly made the Hawks better in the short term, but McCollum is a free agent and turns 35 in September.

Bigger players like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels can carry much of the playmaking load, but their lives would be an awful lot easier with another traditional creator in the rotation.

Frontcourt Depth

Atlanta has a number of bigs on the roster (like Onyeka Okongwu, Asa Newell and Mouhamed Gueye) who are undersized, inexperienced or both. There isn't really a traditional big in the mix.

And while a draft pick obviously doesn't help on the experience front, there are plenty of players in their pick range who can add necessary size.

Realistic Draft Targets at No. 8 Pick

• Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville, G)
• Kingston Flemings (Houston, PG)
• Aday Mara (Michigan, C)

As B/R NBA Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman put in his post-Lottery Mock Draft: "Despite strong seasons from CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, they won't prevent the Atlanta Hawks from looking at guards. Scouts remain very high on Mikel Brown Jr.'s combination of positional size, potent shooting, creativity and potential to play both backcourt spots.

Wasserman also admits: "His season ended early, and teams will have to investigate the back injury that has kept him out."

*Check out the full scouting report for Mikel Brown Jr.