Team Needs: Point guard. Backup power forward.

Outlook: Atlanta was in many games last year. They were very competitive with teams like San Antonio and Dallas, but they could not pull out those type of wins. A lot of that was due to interior defense as well as not having a point guard who could set up someone like Joe Johnson with an easy shot. Johnson either had to set up his own shot or create for a teammate, something he wasn?t too comfortable with until later in the season.

The Hawks will most likely be bringing over David Andersen from CSKA Moscow for the 2006-2007 season. Andersen was a mainstay in CSKA?s frontcourt until a severe broken ankle kept him out of the latter part of the season. He is a solid rebounder and has a good jump shot out to 20+ feet, but is not known for his interior defense. Altanta could use a shot blocker in the frontcourt to balance out the hustle of Zaza Pachulia and the veteran?s game of Andersen.

But the most important and glaring need is a traditional point guard. Someone who can set up the wings and get the ball moving. The Hawks were great when they had over 20 assists a game, but that was when the lieks of Josh Smith and Pachulia had at least four assists themselves. It?s not taking away anything from them, but the point guard has to set up the big men, not the other way around.

This draft is all on Knight. He had the chance to grab one of the three heralded point guards in Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Raymond Felton. It?s now looking like they may have to deal their rookie from last season, Marvin Williams, to try and help get that need filled in. (More on that in Version 4.0). If Knight feels the need to draft yet another 6?8? swingman, he won?t hear the end of it.

Most Suitable Prospects:

Marcus Williams ? Without a doubt, Williams is the right pick for them. He?s the pass-first point guard who loves to push the tempo but can slow it down if needed. The hawks personnel is catered to someone likes Williams, even if the offense that Head Coach Mike Woodson runs isn?t.  His shot selection was a bit shaky at UCONN, as was his overall defense and ability to use his right hand, but he still gets the job done. He has the size and veteran?s mindset to come in and help the Hawks reach the playoffs for the first time in a while.

Brandon Roy ? Roy may not be the PG the Hawks need, but he will be the best available player if he falls past the Bulls, Bobcats and Blazers. (How?s that for an alliteration?) He has a complete game on both ends of the floor and has the handle to, well, handle point guard duties. He will have a very hard time defending most point guards because they are much quicker than the guards Roy was used to facing in the Pac-10. But if he?s at #5, Knight will consider him.

Randy Foye  ? Foye is said to be one of the guards Atlanta covets at this spot. He would mesh well with Johnson beucase he can handle the opposing point guard, handle the ball up the court and let Johnson initiate the offense. He?s not the natural PG the Hawks need and will never be, but his ability to score and find open teammates on drives is unmatched in this year?s draft.

Tyrus Thomas ? Thomas may be on a downfall in this draft, but at this point, everything is shaky. Thomas won?t be able to contribute on offense right off the bat, but the kid?s a workhorse and won?t give up on any play. He has the ability to block shots and ignite the fast break.  He has the size and potential Knight covets in the draft. But the Hawks have enough players that can do what Thomas can do right now. He would not be a great fit with the team immediately, but he may be a guy they would want to add in five years, when his ofense is more polished and his body is filled out.

Best Case Scenario: Williams. Without a doubt, Knight has to draft him unless there?s a deal involving a PG and a pick that Knight can?t refuse. Williams fits into their system perfectly and had even said, in an interview with DraftExpress, that he would fit on that team and would want to help elad them into the playoffs. Doc Rivers said it best when he attended a workout with Peter F. Stringer of Celtics.com:

"Marcus plays the game at his speed. He doesn't allow anyone to speed him up or slow hin down. That's what you see veterans do more than young guys."

Worst Case Scenario: Someone like Bargnani slips to Atlanta. If he falls this far, it will mean a trade might be brewing, but Knight loves tall, athletic players. He traded for the rights to Pau Gasol when he was with the Grizzlies and would not hesitate to grab a guy like Bargnani if the other two big men and both Roy and Adam Morrison are off the board. In Knight?s best interest, he should fill the draft air with smokescreens, then surprise everyone and take Williams.

Other '30 Days, 30 Teams' articles:
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Raptors
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Bulls
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Bobcats
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Blazers
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Hawks
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Wolves
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Celtics
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Rockets
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Warriors
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Sonics
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Magic
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Hornets
30 Days, 30 Teams on the 76ers
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Jazz
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Hornets
30 Days, 30 Teams on the Pacers