Featured Columnist IVJune 19, 2024
Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Alexandre Sarr may be trying to steer himself away from the Atlanta Hawks.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, “League sources say that the Hawks, holders of the No. 1 overall pick, have not yet managed to secure an in-person workout with highly rated French-born prospect Sarr.
“On many teams’ draft boards, Sarr and countryman Zaccharie Risacher are regarded as the top two contenders to go No. 1 overall, which has increasingly led to the forecast of Atlanta selecting Risacher and Sarr going to Washington at No. 2 overall.”
However, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Wednesday (5:35 mark) that the Hawks have already hosted Risacher for a workout:
Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress
Went on NBA Today to discuss Bronny James, why he’s only worked out for just two NBA teams so far, package deals and which teams that might have interest in him on draft night. pic.twitter.com/6gXMRjz1xo
Indeed, B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman projected the Hawks to select Risacher at No. 1 and the Wizards to select Sarr one pick later, noting that the former is a “perceived safe pick with a valued archetype and pathways to improve and bust through the three-and-D level that he brings to JL Bourg.”
He added that there were questions about Risacher’s ceiling, but noted that scouts had a “perceived level of certainty tied to his positional size, shooting and defensive tools/quickness.”
Sarr, meanwhile, presents “physical talent, evolving skill versatility and defense [that] create visions of upside that could be difficult to resist.”
And don’t count out Donovan Clingan as a dark horse to go No. 1:
Jonathan Wasserman @NBADraftWass
Clingan the most interesting name to track right now. Some think he’s at least in the convo for Hawks, Wizards but not sure anyone buys it.Then there’s individuals/teams who don’t see upside + teams invested in centers. Trade-up interest exists but likely weaker offers than usual
Dick Weiss @HoopsWeiss
The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly focusing on 6-9, 19-year-old French star Zaccharie Risacher and 7-2 sophomore center Donovan Clingan of UConn as their top prospects for the upcoming NBA draft. They have been unable to bring 7-0 Alex Sarr from then NBL– other potential No. 1…
The Hawks will have some very interesting decisions to make this summer. Holding the No. 1 pick offers them a pathway to a long-term rebuild, but that stands in contradiction to a talented but underachieving veteran core built around Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, Clint Capela and Bogdan Bogdanović.
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
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
The Hawks could try the blended approach the Golden State Warriors attempted when they surprisingly found themselves in the lottery back in 2021, though that strategy hasn’t really panned out in recent years.
The team could also look to trade players like Young and Murray and embrace the full rebuild, conceding that the star duo’s ceiling has disappointingly already been reached. Or the Hawks could double down on the veteran core and use the top pick and other assets as trade chips to acquire another star.
The Hawks, at least publicly, have said they’re keeping that top overall pick.
“I think we’re really excited by the draft,” general manager Landry Fields told reporters this week. “And the more that we uncover, like we go, great, I’m glad we have No. 1. I keep joking around like I’m not giving it back. So, I think we’re in a really good position here. I’m excited about it, frankly.”
We’ll have a better idea of the team’s plans in about a week. But Sarr seems unlikely to be in them.
