NBA Draft Props: Who’ll Go Fourth Overall?

The NBA Draft might be in its normal late June slot if the current NBA season is canceled, but it could be held later in the year if the season is not canceled and is resumed at a later point in time. Regardless of those details, there will be a draft at some point, and when it happens, you will want to know where the various top prospects are going to fall, especially at the very top of the draft board in the early stages of the 14-team draft lottery.

If the draft was held after a season in which no more games were played, the Golden State Warriors would likely have the No. 1 pick, based on their league-worst record. The Cleveland Cavaliers would probably be second. The Minnesota Timberwolves would probably be third, and the Atlanta Hawks would likely be fourth. Let’s take a closer look at players in the running to be drafted fourth overall.

LAMELO BALL

ODDS: +300

If we are to assume that the Atlanta Hawks will have the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft, LaMelo Ball simply does not fit the Hawks’ needs. Atlanta has Trae Young, a ball-dominant and very creative scoring point guard who needs to develop at the defensive end of the floor. The Hawks don’t need to get another player with a set of characteristics which is similar to Young’s. That would be redundant. The Hawks would surely want to look elsewhere. If LaMelo Ball is the fourth pick in the draft, it would not go through Atlanta; it would happen instead as a result of the Hawks trading down in the draft and allowing another team to pick at No. 4. Do keep in mind that with a draft class which is widely acknowledged as being weaker than previous classes (including and especially last year’s class), one should be prepared to expect more trades in the top 10, not fewer.

OBI TOPPIN

ODDS: +300

The Hawks could much more easily use Toppin and integrate him into their lineup than LaMelo Ball. Atlanta still has a need for low-post play and competent interior defense. Toppin could give that to the Hawks, who are set at point guard and need to be able to build the rest of the roster around him. Toppin carried the Dayton Flyers and thrived despite being the obvious number one target of every opponent he faced. Toppin’s ability to play well in the face of extensive game-planning and scouting from other teams and coaches will enable him to remain a very attractive option at No. 4 if no one takes him in the first three picks of the draft.

DENI AVDIJA

ODDS: +400

The Israeli prospect has a height and weight – 6-foot-9, 220 pounds – similar to Toppin, but Avdija plays a much more perimeter-based game built on playmaking and creating for his teammates. Toppin plays closer to the basket and is more of a finisher near the rim. Avdija is a smart player but not an especially good shooter. On the Hawks, the ability to handle the ball as a bigger man could relieve Trae Young of some ballhandling responsibilities, but the lack of shooting is not the best possible fit with Young. There are pluses and minuses in recommending him for Atlanta.

JAMES WISEMAN
ODDS: +450

The Hawks’ roster, as presently constructed, has John Collins at power forward, so the addition of Wiseman at center would not represent an unnecessary addition. He could play the five while Collins stays at the four. The other point to note is that Collins is nearing the end of his rookie contract, and Atlanta has not yet decided on whether to give Collins a long-term deal. The Hawks could think about their pick in terms of the best player on the board, but if they wanted to think about a specific need, Wiseman would certainly be an acceptable choice.

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