Alright, we've all had a chance to sleep on what happened last night and drink in what the future holds for our franchise. The Hawks beat the odds, ending up with two picks in the top eleven despite only a 38% chance of doing so.

For a franchise short on luck over the past several years, that was huge. Could it have been better? Sure. I won't say I wasn't slightly disappointed when they called our name at #3, but I will take it, no doubt.

It sounds like Dominique Wilkins certainly feels the same way, based on the interview he gave last night, which I reprint here:

Q: How do you feel about the way things went tonight and securing the third overall pick?
Wilkins: I’m happy because we got two picks in the first round. We were positioned if we get the fourth pick, we lose that pick, so to keep the pick and get the 11th spot here is great for us.

Q: Is there any position you are looking to fill with the third pick?
Wilkins: We are going to look at a lot of different variables. We got good choices at both picks and, believe me, we are going to make the best decision on what we need. We are definitely going to draft on what we need instead of the best available guy. This is great for our franchise because I think this will make us instantly a contender for the playoffs. This is big for us.

Q: How much of a relief was it to get in that top three?
Wilkins: I was sweating over there. I wasn’t banking on one, but I said just get me the three. We already got eleven, just get me the three and then we have two good choices in the first round.

Q: Are you superstitious at all? Did you bring anything for luck today?
Wilkins: A little bit. I have my tie. It’s the tie I wore in the Hall of Fame, so I said maybe it will help me a little bit tonight.

Nique wasn't the only one contributing to the Hawks positive karma for the lottery. Thanks to everyone who entered the "Share Your Luck" Sweepstakes for providing access to their good mojo. In particular, we'd like to thank Jeff Rackliff, who was chosen as the grand prize winner.

Jeff met his wife at a Hawks game 25 years ago (which just so happened to be Dominique's rookie season), so he considers the Hawks to always be lucky to him. I'll say - not only did he help us to the #3 pick, but he also wins for himself a trip for two to New York to see the Hawks make their two lottery selections amongst a bevy of other prizes.

Meanwhile, back to the issues at hand. There are a ton of possibilities available to the Hawks this offseason. Should we keep the picks and draft two players? Trade one and/or both of them for established veterans? Some combination of the two? The scenarios are as limitless as your imagination.

One thing I will say, from reading the comments, is there seems to be somewhat of a groundswell for taking Yi Jianlian, the 7-footer from China. I will see what more information I can dig up on him and get back to you. As is, I plan on getting some in-depth profiles from those in the know about several of the players who are potential selections for the club.

Lastly, I would just like to make two points - maybe it's hindsight (though I maintain it was the right move when it happened), but can anyone really dispute the trade for Joe Johnson now? Yes we lose our pick next year, but if we are still in the high lottery, that is a whole other problem. I'd say the price we paid was worth it and then some.

As well, I'd like to give BK some credit for the Al Harrington trade and the way that worked out. Indiana literally got as far up in the draft as was possible without retaining their pick, and for a franchise as successful as they are, I don't know that we could have asked for much more.

BK just concluded his press conference with the Atlanta media, and I will post audio from that in just a little bit.

Keep your suggestions coming!

Alright, it's getting late, and I will post much more on this tomorrow, but let's just take a quick look at what just transpired.

- For only the second time in Hawks lottery history, the team moved up. In 2001 they went from 5 to 3, and tonight we went from 4 to 3. Because of this, we get to keep our pick this year (and lose our first-rounder next year automatically to Phoenix).

- Indiana did not move up, so we get to keep their pick from the Al Harrington trade, which will be the #11 selection.

- For those with trouble counting, that means we have two picks in the top 11 of a draft considered to be one of the deepest in league history.

Crisis averted. Though we did lose out on the Oden/Durant sweepstakes (congrats to the Pacific Northwest, where the lottery winners reside tonight), we end up in a position to make some big moves on draft night.

I spoke to Billy Knight right after the lottery was announced, and you could hear the excitement in his voice.

"Having two picks in this draft is definitely fortunate," said the notoriously understated GM. "I was very nervous when they were announcing the order, but it worked out in our favor. One part of the job is over, and now it's time to start focusing on the next part.

"There are a lot of players available that we think can come in and help us right away, and we are going to get to work figuring out who will fit in with us the best."

I only spoke to BK for a couple minutes, but I came away with the impression that he is not going to be looking for long-term projects. He wants guys who, like he said, can come into training camp and hopefully make a difference on the court right away and not several years down the line.

Big props, by the way, to Hawks VP of Basketball and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, who once again took the podium on a night when the franchise needed a dose of good fortune. He is now two for two repping the franchise in the lottery.

We know Portland will take Greg Oden at #1. We know Seattle will take Kevin Durant at #2. The intrigue for the 2007 draft begins with us at #3.

What direction should the Hawks go in? Let us know what you think in the comments, and we will talk about it much, much, MUCH more in the next five weeks.

But I think I speak for all Hawks fans out there when I say that tonight, the prevailing thought is, "Wheeeeeeeeew!"

Over the weekend, Hawks GM Billy Knight was named to the Indiana Pacers' 40th Anniversary Team as voted on by the fans of that franchise. Knight, who ranks as the Pacers 3rd all-time leading scorer and was an All-Star for the team in 1976-77, was one of 12 players named to the team, which included such Pacers mainstays as Reggie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal.

A pretty cool thing for BK, especially considering that he played for the franchise so long ago and most of today's fans can't remember a game where people wore the size shorts Knight is sporting above.