Hawks GM Landry Fields describes Atlanta’s pre-draft process

The Atlanta Hawks are focusing on their selection for the No. 1 overall pick in next Wednesday’s NBA Draft.

Hawks general manager Landry Fields spoke to the media Monday afternoon and said the list of possible draft candidates has been narrowed down.

“I would say a week ago (the list) was larger than it is today,” Fields said.

Fields said that in addition to basketball talent, he was looking for a player who could match the team’s goals on and off the court, citing a desire to select a prospect who demonstrates humility, selflessness and ability to fight for every match. possession during a 48-minute match.

“What stood out in some of these guys as far as their philosophy and who they are, and they’re actually really good guys, like good people, in this draft,” he said. “That doesn’t mean it’s not always like that, but it’s really cool to see.”

Fields also noted that even though the selection process began years ago, when players were in the middle of their high school careers, it still isn’t complete. Players will still report to the Hawks’ practice gym at Emory Sports Medicine Complex this week.

“We’re going to have more visits, more phone calls, more conversations,” Fields said. “We’re going to sit down as a group – like we did – and take a deep dive into each player.”

For the first time ever, the NBA Draft will be held over two days, but for the Hawks, the only selection on their roster is the No. 1 overall pick. And while a trade could change that, Fields said that right now the Hawks are leaning toward putting their preferred player at the top of their draft board while keeping their pulse on any alternatives that might present themselves.

“As a group, we looked at a ton of different scenarios: you keep the pick, you try to get back in the draft, you move back,” Fields said. “Where we are right now, we’ll pick one. But yeah, I don’t think it would be wise for us not to look at those (other) scenarios.”

Luckily for Hawks fans, the new Hawk is expected to take the floor soon. Once the Hawks complete next week’s selection process, NBA 2K25 Summer League 2024 looms in just over two weeks in Las Vegas.

A couple of our guys will be playing in Summer League right now: Mo (Gueye) and Kobe (Bufkin),” Fields said. “Whoever we draft is expected to play in Summer League.”

A look at the younger part of the Hawks core is just around the corner. It’s an exciting time to be a Hawks fan.