2021 NBA Draft — 20. Sharife Cooper, Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have depth at just about every position. That said, Lou Williams is a setting sun, and the night fast approaches. It may behoove the Hawks to grab another ball-handler who can play both behind and next to Trae Young. Sharife Cooper went to high school in the Atlanta area, and gives the Hawks a boost of playmaking with the second unit.
Cooper is one of, if not the best passer in the draft. His slick handles, change-of-speed ability, and panoramic court vision make him a dynamic threat out of the pick-and-roll. He can set up Clint Capela and John Collins at the rim, or spray the ball to one of Atlanta’s many shooters on the perimeter.
The main concern for Cooper is his jump shot, which does not extend accurately behind the 3-point line. His mechanics are next to broken, and it may take him a year or two to work through the kinks. That said, he has soft touch, plenty of zip, and the basketball I.Q. to make it work. I would invest in him confidently at 20.