The Hawks took 22-year old, 6’11″, 230 pound center Keith Benson out of Oakland with the 48th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.  Benson played in 35 games for Oakland last year and he averaged 32.4 minutes, 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 3.6 blocked shots per game.  He played in 135 games in his four years in college and he averaged 26.8 minutes, 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 2.7 blocked shots per game.  Benson should be able to add toughness, defense and rebounding to the Hawks when he is on the basketball court.  The Hawks have to be pleased with this pick because Benson should have been long gone by #48.

UPDATE:  (12/23/2011) – The Hawks have waived Keith Benson.

The Atlanta Hawks only have the 48th overall pick in the NBA Draft.  They have a need at center so they could decide to take the best overall big guy that’s left on the board.  I have a feeling that PF/C Jeremy Tyler might be available and the Hawks would probably take him.  Beggars can’t be choosers, so the Hawks won’t be able to get an impact player without dealing a veteran player.

The Atlanta Hawks have six unrestricted free agents coming into this off-season.  I would think that re-signing PG/SG Jamal Crawford will be a high priority for the Hawks.  He won’t come cheaply though as the free agent market is pretty soft as far as scorers like Crawford go, so he will be in high demand which will drive the price up on him.  I could see the Hawks having an interest in bringing back backup PF Josh Powell or backup SG Damien Wilkins if the price is right.  I don’t see the Hawks putting much of an effort in bringing back Jason Collins (C), Hilton Armstrong (C) or Etan Thomas (PF/C).