Hawks’ Mock Draft: Illinois Stars and 3-and-D Forward Highlight Picks

The NCAA Tournament has concluded and attention is shifting to the 2026 NBA Draft. Scouts and teams are evaluating deep classes and top-end talent.

Hawks’ draft positioning and roster context

The Atlanta Hawks occupy a strong spot in the Eastern Conference. They sit in position to secure the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.

The franchise holds an unprotected 2026 first-round pick. That pick will come from the more favorable slot between New Orleans and Milwaukee.

At the time of the mock, New Orleans held the No. 6 lottery odds. The Milwaukee Bucks sat 10th in the same odds table.

Those standings give Atlanta a chance to move into the top four. The club could even jump into contention for the top pick.

Young core already in place

The Hawks have several promising young players on roster. Key names include Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu are also part of the core. Management must balance youth development and immediate competitiveness.

Wasserman’s post-tournament mock for Atlanta

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman released a post-tournament mock draft. His board placed three prospects with Atlanta via different picks.

• Pick 6 (via Pelicans): Keaton Wagler, Illinois. Position: PG/SG. Size: 6’6″, 180 lbs. Age: 19. Pro comp: Jamal Murray.
• Pick 22 (via Cavaliers): Amari Allen, Alabama. Position: SF/PF. Size: 6’8″, 205 lbs. Age: 19. Pro comp: Wilson Chandler.
• Pick 57 (via Celtics): Kylan Boswell, Illinois. Position: PG/SG. Size: 6’2″, 205 lbs. Age: 20. Pro comp: Cory Joseph.

Keaton Wagler

Wasserman projects Wagler as a primary scorer off the wing. His size and shot creation stand out on tape.

Critics note a lack of explosion in his game. Still, his scoring instincts drew high marks in many evaluations.

The Hawks already added veteran guard CJ McCollum. McCollum’s age and contract suggest he may be a short-term bridge.

Amari Allen

Allen projects as a versatile forward who can slide between small and power forward. He provides floor spacing and length.

Scouts compare him to Wilson Chandler for his role and physical profile. He could be a developmental rotation piece at pick 22.

Kylan Boswell

Boswell finished his college season with Illinois. He is a smaller lead guard with defensive upside and a steady floor game.

A photograph from Apr. 4, 2026 shows Boswell in action during the Final Four semifinal in Indianapolis. The game took place at Lucas Oil Stadium and the image credit reads Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images.

Addressing roster needs

One clear concern for Atlanta is size at center. Onyeka Okongwu provides interior defense, but backup size is thin.

Jock Landale is a free agent, which creates a vacancy. The front office must weigh addressing the need via draft or free agency.

Filmogaz.com notes the Hawks’ mock draft chatter highlights Illinois stars and 3-and-D forward types. Adding a true rim-presence or a defensive-minded big will be a priority.

Outlook

The 2026 draft promises depth at the top. Atlanta’s combination of a protected future asset and young core gives it flexibility.

Expect the Hawks to consider both immediate help and long-term fits. Decisions will hinge on lottery results and free-agent movement.