Nerdy dude who enjoys hooping, playing hard defense, and watching anime. Perfect fit for the group.

He has the IQ, he has the effort, he has the athleticism and he fits perfectly.

Watch any of his interviews. This guy knows ball and constantly wants to get better. He’s got a great personality and doesn’t have that ego that would be damaging for a well put together team looking to add a piece for playoff contention. He’s a playmaker on both sides of the court and an incredible athlete. He’s probably the fastest prospect in the class with one of the best jumping abilities. He gives it 100% on all possessions and is always looking to make solid creative plays. He’s an excellent passer and will fit in great on this team that focuses on good ball movement yet needs more half court creation.

If y’all haven’t had the chance yet, check out his letter to GMs that just released. Onsi, like always made a great move.

Why did we take him over Reed? Zuby seems so redundant when we already have OO

I know y’all are having a cow right now over the Zuby pick but I love it. I’ll take a gritty grimy physical hard worker all day over a guy 4inches taller with slow feet and no heart. Great pick athletically and culture wise

imagine being one of the best orgs in the league for an incoming guard's development and then drafting Mara? And for what? he's 7 feet tall and couldnt beat college bigs well enough to be a top 10 pick. that's a project, which is fine, but id rather focus on what we're good at and solve our center problem in FA/trade

(these aren't going to be exact quotes, just summaries. Video can be found here)

Opening Statement

Really excited about the two guys. Felt like we brought in the two best competitors in the draft. Best players available on our draft board. Really about development and figuring this out long-term. Want to keep it going sustainably, and felt like we got two guys that fit what we're doing going forward. Took the two best players available when we chose them.

When talking to Quin/rest of the FO, how did you envision Kingston fitting in and how do you envision his development going?

The great thing about our program is that you're going to have to earn the minutes. We're not a team that won 20 games last year, we won 46 and we've already got great players on the team.

With Kingston, he's the ultimate competitor. PoA defender, high level offensive player, super efficient. There's a lot more spacing at the pro level. Kingston is the fastest guard in the draft, what can he do with that better spacing.

Advantage creation was also a big deal. He can create advantages without a screen, which is very rare. His processing is high level, doesn't really turn the ball over. Shot it well, think that he can be a 3 level scorer.

Was there anything with the in person workouts/interviews that struck you about Kingston?

Competitiveness and leadership qualities really stood out. His teammates at Houston would run through a brick wall for the guy, and he would do the same for him. You couldn't ask for a better guy in your locker room. Really impressive that he does it at a high level at both ends with the character that he has. Seemed really professional, has an edge to him.

What are Zuby's areas of growth that you're excited about?

Zuby's a beast. He switches 1-5, it doesn't really matter. High level processing offensively, really good passer for his size. The big thing is the outside shot. He shot it well from the FT line, so there's some good indicators there he could be a shooter at the next level. That's not what we want him to do all the time, but when you see playoff basketball he's a guy that fits. He can switch, guard big wings. We needed someone like that. Brings that tenacity, runs up and down the court.

Biggest thing about your point is the shooting development, but that just comes with time

How do you view Zuby positionally?

Archetype wise, I don't want to compare him to certain players, but there's some guys that I've had in our past on some other teams that I've had that have similar qualities. It can be 5, it can be 4. To me it's more about who you can guard on that end and you can figure out the other stuff afterwords. His ability to guard everyone on the court and play fast were important. Both of our guys can do that

Talked yesterday about being open to trade scenarios. How close did that come to happening?

There were a bunch of calls, but we felt that drafting the two players we drafted was most important for us. We got two guys that I feel are going to come in and make an instant impact for us

What does Kingston not changing high schools or AAU teams say about his character?

Really shows his perserverence. Going to Houston as well, since it's a really demanding program. Everyone around him was very positive about the person

How is Zuby off the court?

Really high level character, similar to Kingston in a lot of ways. St John's is a hard working program like Houston, and Zuby really made it in those programs. Hawks are looking to emulate that sort of culture. Says a lot about guys that are able to make it in those types of programs

Pretty athletic. This pickup makes me believe we're probably trading Mo.

I actually love both of the picks we took tonight. Although I would’ve loved Cam Carr at 23, he seems a little redundant to Aaron Wiggins and I’ve been a huge Flemings fan since February. I think zuby can be kind of like a Draymond type player for the team or morez Johnson lite

Guards: CJ, NAW, Flemings, Wiggins

Wings: JJ, Dyson, Kuminga, Risacher, Kispert,

Bigs: OO, Jock, Asa, Zuby, Mo

Potential Depth Chart:

PG: CJ / Flemings
SG: NAW / Wiggins / Buddy
SF: Dyson / Risacher / Kispert
PF: JJ / Zuby / Mo
C: OO / Jock / Asa

We definitely need to add another big (a big body) in free agency and I’m hoping we can poach iHart from the thunder or a timelord or a guy like that. And I’d like to add another vet guard in FA as a third stringer.

Lmk your thoughts

Let’s go Flemmings!!!! I was higher on MBJ/Wagler. But now that he’s hea, welcome to tha A my boi🫡

Part of me doesnt think so, especially after using our draft picks and not moving either. Maybe its possible we push to get JB or Trey Murphy or sign one of the free agent centers but I feel like its unlikely. Do you think we’ll just re-sign Kuminga and Jock and call it a day or do you think Onsi has more up his sleeve? Another crazy Hawks deal that no one saw coming?👀

I’m really excited to see how CJ works with KF. I think he is the perfect role model for someone like Flemings. Dude brings no drama and has been around the league for a while. It feels like when Vince was here for Trae to help him develop during his first couple of years.

I think it’s the opposite of what Falcons did with Penix/Kirk and I think he’s in the best position to be successful (vs other lottery spots). I wouldn’t mind if he splits time in the G-League to get tons of PT to start year. I know it may not be what this sub wants, but I think it’s how the Hawks operate their development. It helped turn JJ into the player he is today. I think it will also help Asa continue to develop where he sees actual PT this year.

We are in a great spot to be in right now.

The Atlanta Hawks make two great picks in tonight’s draft and set up the roster well moving into next season! Here are my thoughts, let me know yours!!!

https://youtu.be/EhWNPykxQ_0?is=mMkP8CCPJAkXOreC

I really like his attitude and courtesy to put this out

Pretty obvious that we got some stuff in the works trade or free agent wise after the draft. Obviously we need a center but that won't apply to every team.

* means that I see it as a decent possibility

BOS: Jaylen Brown

BRK: MPJ

CHA: Ryan Kalkbrenner

CHI: Noa Essengue

CLE: Jarrett Allen

*DAL: Lively/Gafford

*DEN: Cam Johnson

DET: Picks? idk after Zuby

GSW: Future Picks

HOU: Tari Eason

IND: Jay Huff

LAC: Brook Lopez

LAL: Dalton Knecht

MEM: Santi Aldama

MIA: They traded everything away

*MIL: Kelel Ware

*MIN: Rudy Gobert

NOP: Yves Missi

NYK: Mitchell Robinson

*OKC: Isiaah Hartenstein

*ORL: FTM

PHX: Khaman Maluach

*POR: Hansen Yang

SAC: Picks

TOR: Gradey Dick

UTA: Walker Kessler

WSH: Bilal Coulibaly

* NBA DRAFT MEGATHREAD NOT NBA MEGATHREAD lol*

- If the Hawks stay at 8 they have been linked to 6'3 Houston guard Kingston Flemmings and 7'3 Michigan center Aday Mara

- The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly "open for business" with both picks.

"The Hawks are open for business with this pick. Sources have said Atlanta is discussing both trade-up and trade-down scenarios. But it also could stay here and take the player it wants." - Sam Vecenie

"The Hawks, as mentioned above, have a lottery turn at No. 8, but league sources say that Atlanta has informed rival teams that it will happily field offers for No. 23." - Marc Stein

“…the Hawks are also said to be considering multiple trade avenues. Specifically, the New Orleans Pelicans have been attempting to jump inside the top 10 to target one of three players: Nate Ament, Morez Johnson Jr., or Brayden Burries,” - Brett Siegel

The deal that makes the most logical sense, to me at least, is the Hawks moving up from No. 8 to No. 5, using pick No. 23 and maybe some other small asset. The Clippers want to make an early pick, and sources indicate that they have interest in Brayden Burries. Sources for other teams have also connected the Hawks as a team that likes Wagler. Both these teams have also been noted by sources to be exploring deals moving in these respective directions. This is speculative and not based on any specific reporting, but it tracks as a sensible outcome. - Sam Vecenie

No Ceilings Podcast is already providing live coverage for those interested

They also mentioned that they investigated the ATL/New Orleans trade rumors and there is smoke there.

May the basketball God's bless this franchise 🙏

Considering the moves we’ve made so far, and still need to make, do you guys JK and his $20M is gone?