Atlanta Hawks NBA mock draft: latest predictions before 2026 playoffs
· Yahoo Sports
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
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With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 22 pick will play out with Atlanta Hawks making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Atlanta Hawks 2026 projected draft picks
- No. 7 (via NOP), No. 22 (via CLE) and No. 57 (via BOS)
Atlanta Hawks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 7 overall, Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Hawks need a guard like Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. after trading away Trae Young, using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. En route to the Sweet 16, the SEC Player of the Year proved he is one of the most enticing offensive prospects in recent memory. Acuff Jr. led the nation for points created (1,394) either by himself or through an assist, per CBB Analytics. He led freshmen for field goals made in transition (72) and field goals made from both the left and right side of the court. He was among the freshmen leaders in alley-oop assists (17) as well. He has significant defensive deficiencies but playing alongside Dyson Daniels would help cover that problem.
See USA TODAY's full mock draft 10.0 here
Darius Acuff Jr. player profile
(all stats as of April 8)
- Position: Guard
- Current Team: Arkansas
- 22.9 points per game
- 3.2 rebounds per game
- 6.5 assists per game
- 48.6 field goal percentage
- 44.5 three-point field goal percentage
Atlanta Hawks 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 22 overall, Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
Many teams might benefit from a big like Patrick Ngongba II, who is an above-average passer for his position. His assist rate is the highest among underclassmen listed at 6-foot-11 or taller, per Bart Torvik, and he is at the top of his game when passing to a driving perimeter player. The big man, who helped Duke earn a spot in the Elite Eight, is a big-bodied prospect who can carve out space as one of the more prolific cutters in college basketball. He is on an encouraging development track, displaying legitimate year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
See USA TODAY's full mock draft 10.0 here
Patrick Ngongba II player profile
(all stats as of April 8)
- Position: Center
- Current Team: Duke
- 10.7 points per game
- 6 rebounds per game
- 1.9 assists per game
- 60.2 field goal percentage
- 27.6 three-point field goal percentage
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Hawks NBA mock draft: latest predictions before 2026 playoffs