Experts see Jackson as good fit for Hawks

The Hawks own three picks in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft. Their lottery pick will be between Nos. 1 and 7 overall, the pick they acquired from Minnesota is No. 18 or 19 and they have the No. 30 overall pick from Houston.

The Hawks will find out the number of their first pick via the weighted lottery May 15, while tiebreaker drawings later today will determine the number of the second pick

Here’s a look at the players some recent mock drafts predict the Hawks will select:

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated

■ Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Michigan State (No. 3 overall)

Comment: “The Hawks aren’t tied down to much of anything on their roster beyond John Collins, and are in search of a foundational player. Jackson’s ability to space the floor and protect the rim makes for an ideal fit, and would give Atlanta a great interior duo.”

■ Anfernee Simons, G, IMG Academy (No. 19 via Minnesota)

Comment: “Simons announced he will forgo college and enter the draft with an agent straight out of his prep year at IMG, and also withdrew from the Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic. He will make his case as a prospect while riding a degree of mystery, and his camp will presumably schedule his team workouts carefully.”

■ Devonte’ Graham, PG, Kansas (No. 30 via Houston)

Comment: “Graham is viewed as a safe bet to be a useful ball-handler, though not a star. His production

was consistent at Kansas, although he shot just 39.2% on two-point shots and struggles to finish at the rim sometimes.”

Jonathan Givony, ESPN

■ Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Michigan State (No. 3)

Comment: “Jackson’s ability to space the floor (40 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line), block shots (5.7 per 40 minutes), switch on every screen and, increasingly, put the ball on the floor from the perimeter makes him an ideal fit for the modern NBA.”

■ Troy Brown, SG/SF, Oregon (No. 18 via Minnesota)

■ Grayson Allen, SG, Duke (No. 30 via Houston)

NBADraft.net

■ Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C,

Michigan State (No. 3)

■ Zhaire Smith, SG/SF, Texas Tech (No. 18 via Minnesota)

■ Brandon McCoy, C, UNLV (No. 30 via Houston)

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation

■ Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas (No. 4)

■ Troy Brown, SG/SF, Oregon (No. 19 via Minnesota)

■ Khyri Thomas, PG/SG, Creighton (No. 30 via Houston)

Joe Tansey, Bleacher Report

■ Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri (No. 4)

■ Lonnie Walker Jr., SG/ SF, Miami (No. 19 via Minnesota)

■ Chimezie Metu, C, USC (No. 30 via Houston)

ELSA / GETTY IMAGES Jaren Jackson Jr. of Michigan State offers outside shooting and rim protection the Hawks could use with their lottery pick.