The Atlanta Hawks are guaranteed to get the first pick in the 2024 NBA draft

The Atlanta Hawks surprisingly “won” the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by winning the lottery last spring.

Atlanta just made an appearance in the NBA Play-In tournament. There are also a ton of question marks for the Hawks front office, including the potential trades of guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

The backdrop heading into the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night is how weak he is perceived to be by experts. There really isn’t a clear #1 choice. This has led to Atlanta accepting offers for the first pick as rumors swirl about who the team could take if they hold out.

With hours until they are counted, we hear a little more about them. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo report that 6-foot-9 French forward Zaccharie Risacher is the likely selection.

“The Hawks continue to report that they have not yet determined their direction for draft night, but other teams are preparing as if Risacher will come off the board at No. 1,” reports the Atlanta Hawks decision with the first choice.

It seems that the choice fell on Risacher and his compatriot Alex Sarr. It now appears that the Hawks have made a decision on whether they are indeed continuing with the contract.

Related: 5 Ideal Trade Scenarios for Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young

What the Atlanta Hawks would get with Zacharie Risacher

Let’s be clear. It’s not Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs star has long been considered the consensus No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft. The France native has been absolutely brilliant, cementing his reputation as a generational talent.

Risacher is not of that ilk.

However, he has certainly been on the radar of NBA teams over the past couple of seasons.

“He is an all-around offensive talent with a good shooting stroke, advanced ball handling for a player his age and good feel for the game. He is not the most explosive athlete above the rim , but he is a good cutter and a solid finisher in the lane. He is the son of a professional basketball player (his father played in Europe) and it shows; He really has a good feel for the game.”

Zacharie Risacher scouting report from NBA Draft Room

The talent and potential are there. It’s not yet clear whether Risacher is ready to make an immediate impact. But playing abroad helps in that regard.

As for the Hawks, they face a crucial summer. As noted above, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray could be traded. This would lead to a full-scale rebuild in Atlanta, with Risacher potentially leading the way.

Related: Atlanta Hawks News and Rumors Update