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Atlanta Hawks 2008 Draft Preview

Fri 20th, June 2008

(Sports Network) - New general manager Rick Sund does not have any picks to work with in this year's draft. Atlanta is a young team and made great strides during the 2007-08 campaign.

The surprising Hawks returned to the playoffs for the first time since the strike-shortened 1998-99 campaign. They fell in seven games to the Celtics.

Atlanta's nucleus is getting stronger. All-Star Joe Johnson led the Hawks in scoring (21.7 ppg) and also registered 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists, while Al Horford had a solid rookie campaign as he averaged 10.1 points and a team-best 9.7 rebounds per game. Johnson was the only Hawk to play in all 82 regular- season games.

Point guard Mike Bibby, who was acquired on February 16 in a trade with Sacramento, put the Hawks over the hump and made them a playoff contender. High-flying Josh Smith posted 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 81 games, while Marvin Williams registered 14.8 points and 5.7 boards per contest.

The Hawks will most likely be spectators during the draft. Sund's most important work this offseason will be done in free agency or through trades. Swingman Josh Childress and Smith are restricted free agents. The team will do everything to keep the 6-9 Smith, while a decision on Childress, who averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds this past season, could go either way.

2007-08 Results: 37-45, lost to Boston in first round of playoffs.

Key Player(s): Mike Bibby (Guard), Josh Childress (Forward/Guard), Speedy Claxton (Guard), Al Horford (Center), Joe Johnson (Guard), Acie Law (Guard), Zaza Pachulia (Center), Josh Smith (Forward), Salim Stoudamire (Guard), Marvin Williams (Forward).

Team Needs: Rebounding and another threat from the outside.

Draft picks: NONE.

Where the players come to play and STAY.