Atlanta Hawks: 5 options for pick No. 19 in 2017 NBA Draft

Mar 1, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Aaron Ross (15) and forward Anthony Livingston (21) watch as Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) slam dunks the ball in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks' roster could look dramatically different next season. The 19th overall selection at the 2017 NBA Draft has the potential to serve as either a piece to add depth or start a rebuilding process in Atlanta.

The team fielded by the Atlanta Hawks on opening night for the 2017-18 NBA season could look dramatically different than the current group of players on the roster.

Newly hired general manager Travis Schlenk has to determine if the team is willing to present All-Star forward Paul Millsap, who opted out of his contract with the team a week ago, with a maximum contract when free agency begins next month.

Following a breakout season, Tim Hardaway Jr. could command a large contract as a restricted free agent this summer. If both players join another team this summer, Atlanta will have to find players to replace the 4,500 minutes the two combined to play this year.

Along with two of the top three point scorers from this season, Ersan Ilyasova, Mike Muscala, Kris Humphries, Jose Calderon and Thabo Sefolosha are all set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Atlanta enters the 2017 NBA Draft unsure if it is selecting players to add depth to a roster that has earned a playoff berth in 10 consecutive seasons, or is choosing a player to begin a rebuilding effort.

Schlenk has helped find gems for Golden State throughout the draft and he will have plenty of talented players to choose from with the 19th overall pick this year. Here are five potential additions to the Hawks' roster.

Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) reacts after scoring against Xavier Musketeers during the Big East Conference Tournament Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

5. Justin Patton, C, Creighton

2017 statistics:  12.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG

Typically seven-footers don't go unnoticed while transitioning from high school to college.

Luckily for the Atlanta Hawks, the late development of Justin Patton places him as a mid-first round selection.

Patton signed with Creighton as the 87th ranked prospect in the class of 2015, but after posting stellar numbers in limited time on the court, he enters the NBA Draft as an intriguing option.

After posting 12.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in less than 26 minutes per game for the Blue Jays, Patton is a rarity in the one-and-done era, as he is bypassing the rest of his college career after sitting out his freshman season.

Few NCAA players managed to score with as much ease as Patton did last season, with his true shooting percentage of 68 percent ranking as the third-best among all draft prospects.

The primary concern with selecting Patton is just how much time he will be provided to develop.

If he is joining a team featuring a four-time All-Star power forward and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year center, then he will have a season or two to hone his skills off the bench.

If the Hawks suddenly enter rebuilding mode, the excess pressure placed on the 19th pick in the draft could lead Atlanta to search elsewhere for immediate production.

Feb 13, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) is called for a foul against Oregon State Beavers forward Tres Tinkle (3) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon State Beavers 83-71. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ivan Rabb, PF, California

2017 statistics:  14.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 1.0 BPG

A year ago, the thoughts of Ivan Rabb landing with the Atlanta Hawks would have been well beyond wishful thinking.

The 6'11" forward was projected as a lottery selection had he entered the 2016 NBA Draft, but he instead returned to college for his sophomore season.

The thought was Rabb would take over for the Golden Bears following the departure of Jaylen Brown, as Boston chose him third overall in last year's draft, but his contributions were nearly identical to his freshman season.

The scoring and rebounding numbers from Rabb experienced a slight uptick, but his shooting figures all dropped.

While Rabb may have fallen out of lottery consideration for the draft, his primary strength, rebounding, is the skill that best translates from college to the NBA.

Only 17 players in NCAA Division I averaged over 10 rebounds per game last season, with Rabb posting prolific figures on both ends of the floor.

Rabb posted 3.3 offensive rebounds per game, while his 7.2 defensive rebounds a night ranked as the 15th-best among all Division I players.

If Atlanta declines to offer a max contract to Paul Millsap, or if the team tries to find a trade parter for Dwight Howard, both of which are in play this summer, Rabb could be an important addition to help the team remain as one of the best rebounding squads in the league.

The Hawks ranked ninth in rebounding, a figure that could improve if Rabb is added to the roster with the 19th pick.

Jan 24, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) shoots the ball as Syracuse Orange forward Taurean Thompson (12) defends during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

3. John Collins, PF, Wake Forest

2017 statistics:  19.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.6 BPG

The key player in helping the Atlanta Hawks continue their postseason appearances may be the one who helped Wake Forest end its NCAA Tournament drought.

John Collins carried the Demon Deacons to the tournament for the first time since 2010 by logging 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Much of his success stemmed from his ability to operate out of the post. According to DraftExpress, 48.4 percent of the offensive touches from Collins came in the post.

As the second-youngest sophomore in the draft — as he won't turn 20 until a week before the start of training camp — his exponential growth from his first year in college to now is part of the reason his draft stock has skyrocketed.

With even more room for improvement, such as working on his passing ability and penchant for committing fouls, Collins remains one of the biggest mysteries in the 2017 NBA Draft class.

If he is able to extend his shooting range, Collins could develop into a starting power forward on any NBA roster.

Collins already excels at rolling to the basket off the pick-and-roll, if he can add a viable long range shot to his game, he could be one of the most difficult matchups for opponents in the class of 2017.

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams talks with forward Justin Jackson (44) in the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

2. Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina

2017 statistics: 18.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG

Most mock drafts have the Atlanta Hawks adding a frontcourt player, and if Justin Jackson is still on the board at No. 19, he may be too talented for the team to pass.

During his junior season in North Carolina, the ACC Player of the Year showcased a much-improved shot from beyond the arc, as he connected 2.6 times from three-point range at a 36.8 percent clip.

The dramatic improvement from three-point territory, along with his defensive prowess, has drawn comparisons to another former Tar Heel, Spurs forward Danny Green.

Jackson was even more impressive during North Carolina's championship run in the NCAA Tournament, as he averaged 19.5 points per game while taking on the toughest defensive assignment in each contest.

The startling increase in proficiency from three-point range dramatically increased his draft stock, as Jackson converted at an eight percent increase from his junior year while taking nearly twice as many shots from beyond the arc.

With teams placing an emphasis on players being able to defend multiple positions while remaining as a viable threat from three-point range, Jackson could be a solid addition to any team in selecting in the middle of the first round.

Mar 1, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Aaron Ross (15) and forward Anthony Livingston (21) watch as Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) slam dunks the ball in the first half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

2017 statistics:  13.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.5 BPG

If the Atlanta Hawks want to add a player capable of making explosive plays on both ends of the court, then Jarrett Allen would unquestionably be the pick.

More from Hoops Habit

The 6'11" center proved to be nearly unstoppable at the rim during his freshman campaign with the Longhorns, as he converted 68 percent of his attempts at the rim and was one of the most potent finishers off the pick-and-roll.

Blessed with a 7'5″ wingspan, any opponent attempting to loft a shot over Allen experienced difficulty.

Along with his frame, Allen is extremely athletic, as he finished 18th out of 55 prospects in the shuttle run at the 2017 NBA Draft Combine and posted the second fastest time among all centers.

All of the intriguing skills possessed by Allen were buried at Texas, as the team finished with the worst record in the Big 12. Despite the struggles of his team, Allen blossomed into an NBA prospect by rapidly improving as the season went along.

Allen played with one of the worst three-point shooting teams in college with the Longhorns, but his addition to the Hawks' roster could give the team another much-needed post presence to go along with a team that converted 34.1 percent of its attempts from beyond the arc.

The Hawks haven't drafted an All-Star since 2009, so although Allen needs plenty of improvement to be among the elite players in the Eastern Conference, he has shown some flashes in his brief college career.