Atlanta Hawks: 2017 NBA Draft grades

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; John Collins (Wake Forest) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number nineteen overall pick to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks are suddenly entrenched in a youth movement, hoping their selections from the 2017 NBA Draft can develop into franchise cornerstones.

As much as new general manager Travis Schlenk may insist otherwise, the rebuilding efforts of the Atlanta Hawks truly began Thursday night.

Following the trade of Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets and the possibility of losing Paul Millsap in free agency in nine days, the 2017-18 roster could look much different than the one that qualified for the postseason for the 10th straight year.

Only five players, including Millsap, remain from a franchise record 60-win team from the 2014-15 season.

Even as the team continues to adjust its roster, Schlenk remains adamant the team isn't poised for a rebuild.

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If Millsap does leave, the team will have to find viable replacements in several categories. The duo of Howard and Millsap accounted for over 40 percent of the total rebounds the Hawks totaled a year ago.

While the Hawks intend to extend their post season streak, they will have to do so with a youth movement, featuring a highly coveted power forward and two promising second round selections.

John Collins was selected with the 19th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks

No. 19 — John Collins

The Atlanta Hawks managed to land the most polished low-post scorer with the 19th overall pick Thursday night.

Last season at Wake Forest, Collins managed to score 7.6 points in the post per game, the highest figure of any NCAA player, while shooting 53 percent from the field on those attempts.

Collins closed out his sophomore season by averaging 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per gamae while converting 62.2 percent of his attempts from the field.

No player from the ACC managed to replicate those figures of at least 19 points, 9.0 rebounds and 60 percent shooting from the field since Tim Duncan's senior season in 1996-97 with the Demon Deacons.

Atlanta is hoping Collins can instantly become a potent cutter to the basket off pick-and-rolls with point guard Dennis Schroder.

The team ran 10.1 pick-and-roll plays a night for Schroder last season, the seventh-most in the NBA, resulting in 8.4 of his 17.9 points per game.

Collins was exceptional at rolling to the basket off the play, generating 1.7 points per possession, essentially making him an automatic two points.

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— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 23, 2017

For Collins to become a potential franchise player, he will need to dramatically improve his efforts on the defensive end of the floor.

At times he appeared lost, resulting in easy baskets for the opposition. Frequently out of position, Collins would often place himself in foul trouble.

While the 19-year-old has plenty to improve at the next level, Collins clearly has the backing of the front office.

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The Hawks had a clear need for some offense and the addition of Collins gives the team the most promising post player in the class of 2017.

Grade: B

Tyler Dorsey could add some much needed 3-point shooting to the Atlanta Hawks roster.

Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Tyler Dorsey (5) shoots the ball during the first half in front of Iona Gaels guard E.J. Crawford (2), Gaels guard Schadrac Casimir (4), and Gaels guard Sam Cassell Jr. (1) in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

No. 41 — Tyler Dorsey

As part of the Dwight Howard trade, the Atlanta Hawks moved back 10 spots in the second round.

They decided to address their lack of long range shooting by selecting Tyler Dorsey with their second choice in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Atlanta connected 729 times from beyond the arc, about 10 percent below the league average. The struggles of the team from three-point range became even more glaring during the 2017 playoffs, converting just 30.5 percent of its attempts. Only Chicago was worse in postseason play.

The addition of Dorsey has the potential to immediately transform Atlanta's offense.

Hawks take Oregon SG Tyler Dorsey with the No. 41 pick pic.twitter.com/iad0cvYrZk

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) June 23, 2017

During his two seasons at Oregon, Dorsey made 2.1 long range shots per game at a 41.6 percent clip. In seven of his 39 appearances this season, he made five or more three-pointers.

Dorsey posted an incredible true shooting percentage of 78 percent and is an excellent option off catch-and-shoot plays.

For all of the excitement Dorsey possesses shooting the ball, his passing abilities are subpar. He dished out just 2.3 assists per 40 minutes in college, while turning it over 2.1 times during the same time frame.

The lack of passing isn't even his biggest obstacle to overcome, as defending NBA players will be a tremendous challenge. Dorsey isn't a consistent rebounder, and he totaled four or fewer in 17 of his 39 games last season.

Expect Dorsey to spend a good amount of time in the G League next season.

Grade: C

No. 60 — Alpha Kaba

The Atlanta Hawks concluded the 2017 NBA Draft by choosing one of the most unknown commodities in French center Alpha Kaba.

The 20-year-old is is listed at 6'10" but possesses a wingspan of 7'5″, enabling him to be extremely disruptive on the defensive end.

During his third season playing for Mega Bemax, a Serbian team, Kaba posted averages of 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.

Kaba has the potential of remaining in Europe for a few years, or spending time in the G League with the Erie Bayhawks.

The biggest strength Kaba possesses is his ability to rebound, as his 5.2 rebounds per 40 minuets ranked as the seventh-best among players in the 2017 NBA Draft class and his 8.2 defensive rebounds also was in the top-10.

Kaba may be a year or two away from contributing, but he was a solid addition with the 60th overall pick.

Grade: B-

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; John Collins (Wake Forest) walks off stage after being introduced as the number nineteen overall pick to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Final grade

While the Atlanta Hawks may not be prepared to officially label the summer of 2017 as the beginning of a rebuilding effort, the team will likely look drastically different in as soon as nine days.

Paul Millsap, Ersan Ilyasova, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Kris Humphries, Mike Muscala, Thabo Sefolosha and Jose Calderon could all leave in free agency starting next month, while Dwight Howard was sent to Charlotte in a move that cleared just over $4 million in cap space.

Travis Schlenk was brought in from Golden State to help transform the team from a 43-win squad into a future contender.

To get there, the team will have to experience some growing pains, now likely hinging on the development of John Collins, Tyler Dorsey and Alpha Kaba.

Collins will likely have an opportunity to contribute, as the team could instantly benefit from his ability to score in the post, but will have to wait for him to become a serviceable defender.

Dorsey and Kaba may be a year away from earning a consistent role with the team, but both have the potential to stick around in the NBA.

Final Grade: C+