Atlanta Hawks on the Clock: Is Risacher the No. 1 Pick in NBA Draft?
The Atlanta Hawks are taking a page from the Orlando Magic’s blueprint from the 2022 NBA Draft. You may remember that Jabari Smith Jr. was the longtime favorite to be the No. 1 pick, before the Magic surprised by selecting Paolo Banchero. The latest NBA odds indicate we could have a French player hear his name called as the No. 1 pick in back-to-back drafts.
There have been no shortage of players linked to the Hawks, but French forward Zaccharie Risacher is the current favorite to be the top pick at -250. Alex Sarr has dropped down to third in the basketball odds at +400 after being the early favorite. UConn big man Donovan Clingan is also in contention with +150 odds to go No. 1.
There is also the option of the Hawks giving this selection to their next-door neighbors, giving the Atlanta Falcons a chance to draft another quarterback.
Let’s dive into these Three players and whether there is a sleeper player who could emerge as the Hawks’ selection.
Three NBA Players in Contention for No. 1 Pick
1. Front-Runner Zaccharie Risacher not a Strong Favorite
There is still a chance that a new favorite emerges as the Hawks’ selection, but the early signs point to Risacher. The 3-and-D wing makes a lot of sense for the selection given that the value of this position is widely viewed as greater than centers in the new NBA.
Zaccharie Risacher is projected to go No. 1 to the Hawks in the 2024 NBA draft🔥
The 6-8 French prospect went off for a career-high 28 points on 11/16 FG in 29 minutes in the French playoff quarterfinals 👀
(via IG/ @swishcultures_ , goatoguy , flavienprt , nlegerfilms ) pic.twitter.com/n91qa7JTJt
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) May 21, 2024
Risacher showed off an improved 3-point shot for JL Bourg in France. The forward was born in Spain where his father was a professional basketball player, but he spent the majority of his childhood in France. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that Risacher’s name is written in pencil, not pen.
“The Hawks continue to signal that they have not yet determined their draft night direction, which makes sense considering the nature of this draft, how even the talent at the top is and trade opportunities that could unfold once they are on the clock,” Givony detailed in a June 24 NBA mock draft.
“… Risacher, as he has for much of the pre-draft cycle, continues to hold firm as the choice at No. 1 after a positive workout with Atlanta. The feedback from those who have seen him in the United States is that he is a better passer and does a better job of initiating contact and playing through physicality than is expected with his lean frame.
2. Big Man Donovan Clingan Continues to Be Linked to Hawks
The other popular name linked to Atlanta is UConn big man Donovan Clingan. This move would make sense for the Hawks if they keep Trae Young as Clingan could provide more of a defensive presence behind the small guard than current center Clint Capela.
The Hawks conducted a private workout with Donovan Clingan and are showing interest in potentially selecting him, per @KevinOConnorNBA (https://t.co/omY6fegFqP).
Atlanta appears open to the idea of trading down a few spots to secure Clingan, but the process is still ongoing. pic.twitter.com/b4P7f02co7
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 12, 2024
Sarr is widely projected to go ahead of Clingan, making the UConn center a potential trade-down option for Atlanta. The Spurs hold the No. 4 and No. 8 picks as well as the Hawks’ future first-rounders as a result of the Dejounte Murray trade. The two franchises continue to be mentioned as potential trade partners, but so far have not been able to agree on a price.
Who will the Hawks select first overall on Wednesday? 🤔@BrettSiegelNBA breaks down the latest between Donovan Clingan and Zaccharie Risacher in his 2024 NBA Mock Draft 4.0 ⬇️https://t.co/kn7FQmRbGB pic.twitter.com/4PM8agBD2s
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 24, 2024
3. Hawks Take Alex Sarr Despite his Balking at Workout
It appears Alex Sarr is doing everything in his power to avoid being selected by the Hawks. All signs point to Sarr having his eyes on the Wizards at No. 2 with a wide open frontcourt.
“Not so much as Alex Sarr doesn’t wanna play for Atlanta, as he prefers to play for the Washington Wizards…”
-Givony via Hoop Collective Pod#Rockets pic.twitter.com/ZpVcJ3CRUC— Chris Gorman (@GormanChristoph) June 24, 2024
The Hawks have a crowded depth chart with Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter. Despite spending time in Atlanta playing for Overtime Elite, Sarr has refused to workout with the Hawks with just days remaining before the draft.
Atlanta could still take Sarr even without a workout, as Orlando did with Banchero.
The Atlanta Hawks are willing to take Alex Sarr with the No. 1 pick, which may force the Wizards to trade up, per @DraftExpress
“NBA teams say the Hawks are indicating they could take Alex Sarr at No. 1, which some speculate might be more an attempt to force the Washington… pic.twitter.com/59RoPWGFs4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 24, 2024
Hawks Opt to Trade Trae Young Trade or Deal No. 1 Pick
There is also the option for the Hawks to trade down given their affinity for Clingan. The challenge is there is not a consensus No. 1 pick, which means the selection does not offer the same trade value as past drafts. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie reported that Clingan has been the player most linked to the Hawks during the pre-draft process.
Should the Hawks trade Trae Young? If they do, which team would be the best fit?@BillSimmons examines the market for Young and which team should overpay to get a deal done: pic.twitter.com/JW4ceRo1A1
— The Ringer (@ringer) February 7, 2024
“One reason: Clingan is the name I have heard linked with the Hawks most often over this past week,” Vecenie detailed in his June 20 mock draft. “He wouldn’t be the sexiest pick, but would fill a few objectives for Atlanta. Firstly, the organization has not yet shown any indication of rebuilding, so it might prefer to select a player who can fit with its roster sooner rather than later.”
Here’s a wild card for you: What if the Hawks trade Trae Young on draft night? This would open up Atlanta to taking a sharpshooter like Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard. I love the current value in the NBA betting odds at +5000 on Sheppard as a lottery ticket in case things get crazy.
Should the Hawks draft or trade the No. 1 pick to build around Trae Young? 👀 @DraftExpress with insight on Atlanta’s options in the 2024 NBA draft ✍️ pic.twitter.com/8Xz5e4uYzH
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 19, 2024
Unless the Hawks hit the reset button, Risacher continues to make the most sense in Atlanta. Fans should continue to expect the unexpected with so many experts fading this draft class worse than a Drake’ diss track.
Questions of the Day
Who is the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Zaccharie Risacher is the current favorite to be selected by the Hawks at -250 in the NBA odds.
What other players are the Hawks considering with the No. 1 pick?
Donovan Clingan and Alex Sarr are among the other favorites in the NBA betting odds.
