Atlanta Hawks 2015 Draft Preview

Jun 23, 2015 - 4:01 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - After the best regular season in franchise history, the Atlanta Hawks are in fantastic shape heading into this year's draft.

The Hawks finished atop the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season, then ran into LeBron James. Atlanta was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals, but shrewd trades put them in a great position for this draft.

By virtue of their Joe Johnson trade with the Brooklyn Nets, the Hawks reserved the right to switch positions in the first round of this draft. Brooklyn barely squeaked into the playoffs and the Hawks had the second-best record in the league, so Atlanta vaulted from 29th to 15th.

Despite the amazing campaign, the Hawks do have some concerns. Paul Millsap, an All-Star, and his fellow starting forward, DeMarre Carroll, are both free agents. Re-signing the pair is a priority, but Carroll could easily get overpaid on the open market.

Assuming the duo returns to Atlanta, which is a safe lean, the Hawks could use some size. Millsap and Al Horford are both gritty, versatile bigs, but the Hawks could use more grunts up front. Pero Antic, Atlanta's primary big man off the bench, is also a free agent, and though Mike Muscala emerged in the postseason, a tough center/forward would come in handy.

There's an intriguing crop of big men who could be available at No. 15. Either Kentucky's Trey Lyles, or Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky could slide, or maybe even Texas' Myles Turner, who is a project, but that could be exactly what works for an Atlanta squad that will have time to develop a player.

If Millsap bolts, a power forward becomes a must. If Carroll leaves, the Hawks would need a wing. Kaminsky's Wisconsin teammate Sam Dekker might fit. Arizona's Stanley Johnson probably won't be there when Atlanta chooses.

The second round is all about foreign stash candidates, or long-term projects.

Players under contract: C Al Horford; G Jeff Teague; G Kyle Korver; G Thabo Sefolosha; F Mike Scott; G Shelvin Mack; Dennis Schroder; G Kent Bazemore; C Mike Muscala; F Austin Daye

Free agents: F Paul Millsap; F DeMarre Carroll; C Pero Antic; F/C Elton Brand

Recent Draft History:

2014: Adreian Payne (15), Walter Tavares (43)

2013: Denis Schroder (17), Shane Larkin (18), Raul Neto (47), James Ennis (50)

2012: John Jenkins (23), Mike Scott (43)

2011: Keith Benson (48)

2010: Damion James (24), Pape Sy (53)