Subscribe
Follow Us
The Atlanta Hawks are seemingly set for an eventful offseason. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020-2021, the Hawks failed to meet expectations this season. Their 44-39 record solidified an 8th place finish for the franchise and they were knocked out of the playoffs by the Miami Heat in the opening round. It is clear the team needs to make some roster improvements. The franchise has already been rumored to be targeting some notable players.
Atlanta will also turn its attention to the NBA Draft where they hold two selections. While most of the focus is on their 16th overall pick, the franchise will look to take advantage of the 44th selection as well. Hitting on a second-round prospect puts the franchise in a terrific spot from both a talent and salary cap perspective. Look for the Hawks to attempt to do just this. Here are three notable sleepers to keep an eye on in the upcoming draft.
3 sleeper prospects for Hawks to target in 2022 NBA Draft
Dalen Terry – Wing Arizona
While most of the shine went to Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko, Dalen Terry was a vital part of the Arizona Wildcats. The scrappy 6’6” wing left it on the floor every single night. He may not hold as much potential as the other two prospects, but Terry projects as a solid NBA role player. The 19-year-old was a vocal leader on the team and an important perimeter defender. Terry was oftentimes tasked with the opponent's best player and took the assignment personally.
His stats may not pop, but Terry does all the important little things that a team needs. He averaged 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game this season. Terry also shot 36.4% on 2.1 three-point attempts per game. He did not shy away when it was his shot within the flow of the offense.
The Hawks saw a great deal of postseason success from Delon Wright this year. Terry could fill a similar role and potentially bring a little more to the table. His athletic build and elite competitiveness are sure to have him outplay his draft slot.
Andrew Nembhard – Guard Gonzaga
Adding Andrew Nembhard is not a swing for the fences pick. But, he can provide quality bench depth on any team. The 22-year-old spent two seasons at Florida before transferring to Gonzaga for his final two years of eligibility. Nembhard averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game this past season. At 6’5”, he has good positional size and is one of the best passers in the draft class.
Article Continues Below
The Gonzaga product plays like a coach on the floor. He projects nicely as a guy who can run the second unit. Nembhard has terrific habits and is a guy you feel comfortable with when he has the ball in his hands. He lacks some athleticism but competes on the defensive end. There are some questions about his form, but Nembhart shot 38.3% on 4.2 three-point attempts per game this year. His NBA ceiling likely isn’t incredibly high, but the Gonzaga product plays a winning brand of basketball that should be welcomed by the Hawks.
Justin Lewis – Wing Marquette
A strong and physical wing who plays with a high motor, Justin Lewis has intriguing potential. He stands 6’7” and has a solid build. The 20-year-old spent two seasons at Marquette and took a massive step forward this year. Lewis averaged 16.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He moves well on the court and plays with an aggressive and powerful nature.
Source: Marquette’s Justin Lewis will turn pro and keep his name in the 2022 draft. Lewis averaged 16.8 points and 7.9 rebounds as a sophomore, measured well at the combine at 6’7.5” with a 7’2.5” wingspan, and just turned 20 in April. Potential first-round pick.
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) June 1, 2022
It is somewhat surprising the lack of draft buzz surrounding the Marquette product. He is an inconsistent shooter and lacks elite burst, but does a lot of positive traits. Lewis is capable of guarding multiple positions and is a good rebounder for his size. He has the potential of becoming a modern stretch forward or a more true wing prospect. There is not a ton there from a playmaking perspective which was concerning in his role at Marquette. But, he will not need to be as ball-dominant in the NBA. Lewis had more turnovers than assists last year.
It seems some NBA teams have concerns about his role being able to translate at the NBA level. Lewis was asked to do a ton with the ball in his hands at Marquette. He will now have to learn how to play a more complementary role and do more with fewer touches. His handle is fairly loose and there is some footwork concern. His shooting is likely his biggest swing skill and he likely will not be able to contribute right away. Regardless, Justin Lewis projects well in the long-term and could end up an impressive second-round addition.
