Hawks GM Landry Fields plans to keep No. 1 pick in NBA draft - ESPN

ATLANTA — Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields said he likes his options for the potential top picks in the NBA draft — and he insists he's not planning on trading the No. 1 pick, even though his phone lines remain open.

«I think we're really excited by the draft,» Fields said Monday as he continued to prepare for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft on June 26. «And the more that we uncover, like we go, great, I'm glad we have No. 1. I keep joking around like I'm not giving it back. So, I think we're in a really good position here. I'm excited about it, frankly.»

The Hawks were the surprise winner of the NBA draft lottery on May 12. Atlanta won the No. 1 draft pick despite just 3% odds after finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference at 36-46.

Fields says his initial enthusiasm about landing the top pick has not been diminished as he and his staff have examined options such as two French stars, Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard and UConn center Donovan Clingan.

Even so, Fields acknowledged the task of determining which prospect should be No. 1 is an ongoing process. He said he, not team owner Tony Ressler, will make the draft choice.

The decision on keeping the No. 1 pick could be affected by the fact the Hawks have no other selections in the draft. The roster might need help from more than one draft pick after the team lost to Chicago in the first round of the play-in tournament.

Fields said he and his staff are assembling tiers of draft prospects. When asked if a trade down for more picks would be wise if he sees no prospect clearly ranking above all others, Fields said, «Eventually you'll narrow down to your guy, for sure.»

Fields said the pool of possible top picks on the Hawks'