A recent NBA re-draft exercise for the 2017 class has the Atlanta Hawks hypothetically selecting center Luke Kornet with the 19th overall pick. This replaces their original selection of forward John Collins.
In the re-draft scenario, John Collins is taken earlier by the Detroit Pistons at pick number 12. That leaves the Hawks to choose the best available player at their spot. The exercise selects Luke Kornet, who originally went undrafted in 2017.
Kornet has carved out a solid NBA career as a reliable rotation center. He stands 7-foot-1 and has shifted his game from a stretch big to a more interior-focused role. This change improved his efficiency and gave him a clear identity on the court.
Kornet's most recent season was one of his best. Playing for the San Antonio Spurs, he appeared in 68 games with 25 starts. He averaged 6.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting an impressive 64.3 percent from the field.
He also contributed in the playoffs as the Spurs reached the NBA Finals. Kornet has been part of three Finals teams and won one championship ring. His experience on winning teams is a valuable intangible.
The hypothetical pick is a bit ironic given recent history. Kornet was involved in a minor controversy last season related to Atlanta's planned "Magic City Monday" theme night. But the re-draft is just a fun exercise, not reality.
The Hawks originally selected John Collins from Wake Forest with the 19th pick. Collins spent six seasons in Atlanta, showing flashes of star potential with his scoring and rebounding.
His role eventually decreased, leading to a trade in 2023. The re-draft acknowledges Collins was a good value pick at the time. He performed well above the typical expectation for the 19th selection.
Luke Kornet's journey was different. Going undrafted meant he had to fight for every opportunity. He transformed his game to stay in the league and became a useful player. The re-draft values his proven role and championship experience over Collins' higher peak but shorter Atlanta tenure.
This exercise highlights how draft evaluations change with years of evidence. It also shows the Hawks' original scouting was effective in identifying Collins' talent late in the first round.
