‘This is so great for our franchise’: Hawks win the lottery draft

The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA’s top overall draft pick Sunday afternoon. The Hawks had less than a one percent chance to win and have come home with all the momentum heading into the NBA Draft on June 26-27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Last year’s Atlanta Hawks draft picks during their introductory press conference at the Hawks practice facility in Brookhaven. The Hawks had the 15th overall selection and two second round picks. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Hawks Atlanta General Manager Landry Fields took questions from local media following the accomplishment, the first in the history of the franchise, and said, “This is great for our franchise. This is just another tool for us.” Last year’s overall number one selection, Spurs forward and Rookie of the Year selection Victor Wembanyama, was what could be described as a franchise-altering pick. This year’s draft doesn’t immediately lend itself to having a player of Wembanyama’s caliber, but there are a number of interesting prospects and, as always, trade options when you have the top pick. Asked how he and the Hawks braintrust are going to temper expectations from fans and the media, this is uncharted territory for the franchise...