Jordan Hawkins NBA mock draft review

Like many talented UConn wings before him, Jordan Hawkins came into this season with great expectations.

He more than delivered, as the team’s second-leading scorer and top three-point threat, hitting 38% of 281 attempts from deep as he hit the second-most treys in a season in program history.

While the Maryland native established himself as one of the best shooters in the nation, he also solidified his status as a top draft prospect. As a leading player on a championship team, the sophomore’s draft stock has improved. He’s a great option for NBA teams looking to add immediate scoring help. 

Hawkins is projected by most to be drafted in the middle of the first round while some have him as high as 11th, the same spot James Bouknight was selected in 2021. Head coach Dan Hurley having two lottery picks in the last two years would be a strong sign of The Carpenter’s ability to cultivate NBA-level talent.

NBADraft.net has Hawkins projected to be drafted no.19 overall by the Golden State Warriors. The site listed both Hawkins’ strengths and weaknesses, citing his jump shot to be a proven skill of his that helps his draft stock.

NBADraft.net wrote, “One of the best and most confident shooters in the 2023 Draft class; can get rolling spotting up, in rhythm off the bounce in either direction, as a transition trail man, and impressively coming off screens and pin downs”

Citing his weaknesses, NBADraft.net wrote, “Not an efficient player right now (40 FG% as a Soph., career 39%) and doesn’t get to the rim as much as he should considering his twitchy athleticism and length … Shoots a ton of jump shots and has proven to be more streaky than consistent with it despite solid deep ball numbers” 

Sharing that same projection to the Warriors, NBC Sports’ mock draft by Tyler Baum and Chase Hughes highlighted his shooting ability and how it could benefit any NBA team.

Baum wrote, “Jordan Hawkins' impressive NCAA Tournament with the championship-winning Huskies elevated his stock as an elite shotmaker who could contribute immediately to an NBA roster.”

He continued with, “During that run, he made 21 threes in a six-game span, shooting 50%, it raised his season-long mark to 38.8% which is one of the best in the class.”

The Ringer and Sporting News have Hawkins going at no. 17 to the Lakers.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said that “Although his skinny frame limits his ability to drive to the basket, he’d thrive in an offense where that skill isn’t needed—such as that of the Lakers, who saw Danny Green thrive as a spot-up shooter during their 2020 title run…Hawkins would give them an instant rotation player.”

Sporting News added: “Hawkins has a flamethrower. The UConn sophomore shot the lights out during the NCAA Tournament, elevating his draft stock in the process…He’s constantly moving without the ball and has a lightning-quick release, rarely phased by defenders closing out on his shot.”

ESPN’s mock has him a little higher, at no.11 overall to the Orlando Magic. In their recent mock draft, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo highlighted Hawkins' ability to create space on the floor. With the Magic having a young roster including Paolo Banchero and Markell Fultz, ESPN believes that Orlando will be looking for someone like Hawkins to give those guys more space.

Givony wrote, “Hawkins led all projected prospects in 3-pointers made while hitting 39% of his attempts on UConn’s path to a national championship…With often-injured Gary Harris entering the final season of his contract, a sharp-shooting wing like Hawkins makes sense.”

On Twitter, Givony elaborated on Hawkins’ movement without the ball, footwork, and release in this clip:

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1644420778761551872?s=20

Today’s NBA game places a premium on spacing, ball movement, and efficiency. While some may knock Hawkins’ gunner tendencies earlier in the season, he shot 50% on an average of seven attempts per game in the NCAA tournament. On an NBA team where he won’t need to hunt shots, Hawkins’ ability to do more with less makes him very valuable to GMs, who are always on the hunt for bargain-bin shooting on a rookie contract.

Although Hawkins is projected to be a late first-round pick, there is still plenty of time for the guard to raise his stock before the draft this June. Hawkins will also be able to showcase his skills in the upcoming NBA Draft Combine beginning on May 16.