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The Atlanta Hawks entered the 2022 NBA Draft with the 16th overall pick in the first round, and the No. 44 pick in the second.
The team used its first-round pick on AJ Griffin while trading down in the second round for the No. 51 pick and some cash. The Hawks certainly weren't the most active franchise, but they did have a notable performance Thursday night. Here are the individual grades for the Hawks' decisions in the 2022 NBA Draft.
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Atlanta Hawks 2022 NBA Draft Grades
AJ Griffin — A
The Hawks selected AJ Griffin with the No. 16 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Originally expected to go at No. 9, the Duke freshman was ranked as the best small forward in the class. With only a year at the collegiate level, Griffin has the opportunity to make an immediate impact on the Hawks.
Griffin shined in his first and only year on the Duke Blue Devils, averaging 24 minutes through 39 games. He made 49.3% of his three-pointers last season, which is something that the Hawks struggled with last season. They were very inconsistent from deep throughout the regular season. Kevin Huerter led the starters, going 38.9% from three.
Despite being only 18 years old, Griffin's “physically mature frame” sets him above others in the 2022 NBA Draft class (per CBS Sports). At 6-foot-6, 222 lbs, his size allows him to get into the lane and capitalize on opportunities through contact.
Overall, acquiring Griffin is a huge win for Atlanta. He'll be a great addition to Trey Young's aggressive offensive approach. The Hawks get a solid A for their first selection.
Hawks-Warriors Tyrese Martin trade — B
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As mentioned earlier, the Hawks held the No. 44 at the beginning of the draft. However, that quickly changed when they exchanged picks with the Golden State Warriors. In exchange for the No. 44 pick, the Hawks received $2 million and the Warriors' No. 51 pick.
As a result, the Warriors acquired Ryan Rollins, and the Hawks picked up University of Connecticut senior Tyrese Martin.
Overall, the Warriors won this trade, but it wasn't necessarily a loss for the Hawks. They gained $2 million to increase cap space, while also acquiring a highly talented young forward. Martin started in all 29 games he played for the Huskies last season. He was a large reason for the team's 22 wins in the regular season and as well as its efforts in the postseason.
Similar to Griffin, Martin is a solid three-point shooter. He went 43% from deep this past year. At 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, he's considered a “good vertical athlete” which allows him to win both offensive and defensive rebounds (per CBS Sports).
Looking back at the Hawks' draft performance Thursday night, things really couldn't have gone any smoother. The team acquired two talented and promising young players that will add depth to their offense. In the process, they also picked up some spare change to pay their already established stars.
But, most importantly, the Hawks didn't lose anything. Many teams traded away proven NBA talents for a chance at a young player. For example, the New York Knicks made a lot of controversial trades Thursday night, including their Detroit Pistons trade involving Kemba Walker.
Heading into the 2022 NBA Free Agency, the Hawks are $2 million and two talented players richer. Their overall performance in the 2022 NBA Draft is awarded an A.
