2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Hawks play it safe, Wizards go big, Spurs fill two needs
By Cal Durrett
1) Atlanta Hawks-Zaccharie Risacher
No one expected the Atlanta Hawks to end up with the first pick in this year's draft, and no one knows what they'll do with it. There are two likely options in play for the first pick, but I expect them to take French forward Zaccharie Risacher. Risacher might not be a superstar in the NBA but his shooting ability at 6'8 is intriguing, and he isn't just a shooter.
Zaccharie Risacher exploded for 28 points (5/7 3P), 6 rebounds in 29 minutes in game two of the French playoff quarterfinals. Career high outing in any platform for the No. 1 ranked prospect on ESPN's Top 100, in an ultra aggressive performance. pic.twitter.com/CSMsShWje1
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 18, 2024
He has shown that he is more than capable of burning defenders who are a step late closing out on him by attacking and finishing. His being a high-volume 3-point shooter who can finish effectively in the paint on one end and be a solid defender on the other makes him a seemingly easy fit on any team.
It's unclear who he'd play with in Atlanta, with Trae Young or Dejounte Murray possibly being moved along with starting center Clint Capela, though the Hawks might just hold off on a big trade to see how they might look with Risacher on their team. He probably won't have a massive impact early on but he could be a helpful building block if they trade some of their veterans to retool.