Team exploring trading decline, targeting specific prospect

After a tumultuous season that resulted in trade rumors involving Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, the Atlanta Hawks got lucky and landed the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery. This year’s draft class doesn’t have a surefire No. 1 pick like Victor Wembanyama, which puts the Hawks in a strong position to significantly improve their roster.

Yet while many teams would happily stay put and take the best player available, the Hawks may be considering a different route to improving their roster.

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Hawks have discussed trading the No. 1 pick, and they haven’t even found many of the top prospects. O’Connor also notes that if they trade down, the Hawks could target UConn’s Donovan Clingan with their first pick. Clingan reportedly had a good workout in Atlanta with the Hawks front office in attendance.

O’Connor adds that the Hawks could even consider taking Clingan with the No. 1 overall pick if they can’t find a trade they like. Another “dark horse candidate” is G League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis, but he could become a bigger target if the Hawks are able to negotiate.

Other top prospects the Hawks could consider with their first pick include two Frenchmen, Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, both of whom would bring more size to Atlanta’s frontcourt. As rumors surrounding Young, Murray and their top pick continue to swirl, the Hawks have many tough decisions to make this summer.

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