Major hit to Hawks bolsters Spurs chances at hitting the lottery

The Atlanta Hawks' struggles could help the Spurs.

Trae Young, Victor Wembanyama
Trae Young, Victor Wembanyama | Ronald Cortes/GettyImages

The San Antonio Spurs have made significant strides this season, even though they find themselves on the outside looking in on the play-in tournament. Their progress has gotten them closer to playoff contention but farther from the top end of the NBA draft lottery. Fortunately, they own several first-round picks from multiple teams in this year's draft, including one from the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks pick is unprotected thanks to the Dejounte Murray deal back in 2021, and for a while, it seemed as though Atlanta was destined to outperform expectations. However, they have fallen back to Earth in a serious way with them losing six straight games and having a brutal schedule over the next couple of weeks. In fact, the easiest opponent they will have is actually the Spurs themselves.

A tougher schedule, combined with them missing their second-best player, Jalen Johnson, and it's entirely possible that the Hawks pick could end up being a good selection for the Spurs after all. The Hawks pick is currently projected to be 11.

However, if they were to go on an extended losing streak, which is entirely possible with them potentially losing their next five games and 11 overall. They could just as easily see that pick drop to 8th or 9th barring the results of the draft lottery itself.

The San Antonio Spurs could benefit from the Atlanta Hawks' struggles.

That would be huge for San Antonio, giving them two or potentially even three lottery picks in this year's draft, barring a trade for De'Aaron Fox. In addition to Atlanta's pick, they have their own selection, as well as Chicago's top-10-protected first.

The Hawks pick is guaranteed, however. Having the Spurs make the play-in tournament and, better yet, the playoffs, as well as secure a top-10 pick from the Hawks, would be the best-case scenario for the Spurs this season.

Getting that pick would give the Spurs another chance to add to their young roster and potentially give them another shot at adding a star. This would be crucial because, aside from Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs may not have a future star on their roster, though there is hope for Stephon Castle.

Therefore, Spurs fans should continue to closely watch the standings during the second half of the season. Not only to see where the Spurs rank but to see where the Hawks end up in the standings.

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