The Atlanta Hawks came into the 2024 NBA Draft with a stroke of luck, landing the No. 1 overall pick and using it to select Zaccharie Risacher-a long, athletic wing with two-way upside and European polish. At the time, it looked like a savvy move: a cost-controlled, high-upside addition to a young core that already featured promising pieces like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. But fast forward to now, and the early returns on Risacher haven’t matched the expectations that come with being the top pick.
Through nearly two full seasons, Risacher has struggled to find consistent footing. His scoring numbers are trending in the wrong direction, his three-point shooting has plateaued, and-perhaps most concerning-he tends to fade into the background during games. For a player drafted to be a cornerstone, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
The lack of impact was underscored when Risacher was left off the Rising Stars roster. That’s not just a snub-it’s a signal.
The last time a healthy No. 1 pick didn’t make the cut? Markelle Fultz.
And while Fultz has carved out a role in the league, that’s not the trajectory Atlanta was hoping for when they called Risacher’s name on draft night.
So with the trade deadline looming, the Hawks face a critical decision: Do they keep waiting for Risacher to blossom, or do they pivot and use him as a trade chip to upgrade the roster? If the right deal is on the table, the answer should be clear.
Atlanta has reportedly been reluctant to include Risacher in trade talks-most notably in discussions with Dallas around Anthony Davis. But at this point, that kind of hesitation could be holding them back. Whether it’s a star like Davis, a frontcourt partner for Johnson and Okongwu, or a dynamic playmaking guard, the Hawks need to be open to moving Risacher if it means taking a step forward.
And the truth is, they have the depth to absorb the loss. Jalen Johnson is emerging as a legitimate two-way force.
Around him, the Hawks have built out a rotation that includes Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, and Corey Kispert-guys who can shoot, defend, and provide lineup flexibility. In other words, they already have multiple players who bring similar skills to what Risacher offers right now.
There’s redundancy, and Atlanta doesn’t need more of that-they need difference-makers.
The numbers back it up. When Risacher is on the floor, the Hawks have a -0.3 net rating.
That’s not disastrous, but it’s not the impact you want from your No. 1 pick. Even when he shares the court with Johnson, the net rating barely ticks up to +0.8.
It’s not moving the needle.
The Hawks have already shown they’re willing to shake things up-trading away Trae Young sent that message loud and clear. Now, with the deadline approaching, they have a chance to keep reshaping this roster.
Whether it’s this week or in the offseason, Risacher should be on the table. If his play doesn’t take a leap soon, the Hawks can’t afford to keep waiting.
The window to build around Johnson and Okongwu is opening, and Atlanta needs to make sure they’re maximizing it.
Risacher still has potential-he’s long, he’s young, and he has tools. But potential only gets you so far in the NBA.
At some point, production has to follow. And if the Hawks can flip that potential into a proven piece that fits their timeline and raises their ceiling, it’s a move they have to seriously consider.