Hawks GM makes it clear he intends to keep No. 1 pick

Whatever other scouts and front offices think of the top of the 2024 NBA Draft, Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields likes him — and he has no plans to give up his No. 1 pick.

“I think we’re really excited about the draft,” Fields said Monday. via Associated Press. “And the more we find out, as we go along, great, I’m glad we got number 1. I keep joking like I’m not giving it back. So, I think we’re in a really good position here. Honestly, I’m excited about it.

THE The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA draft lottery and climbed to the top of what is generally considered a disappointing project at the top of the board. Still, there is talent in this draft and the Hawks have been linked to winger Zaccharie Risacher and center Alex Sarr, both out of France, as well as UConn’s Donovan Clingan (although he’s more distant). However, if the Hawks don’t see any of these players as a future cornerstone, would they be better off trading a few spots, finding someone they also like and landing a future first round pick and /or a young player?

Fields admitted his phone was ringing and other teams were testing the waters.

“Most of the time it rings continuously,” he said.

This also rings true because the Hawks are expected to reshape their roster this summer, trading at least one Trae Young or Dejounte Murray. There’s also a lot of talk about potential Hawks center Clint Capela, with Matt Moore of the Action Network suggests Chicago could be a destination.

While there may not be a clear No. 1 in this draft — forget a generational player like Victor Wembanyama, scouts say not to expect another Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards or Karl-Anthony Towns of this group – Fields says Atlanta is narrowing down his choices and likes what he sees.

“I would say a week ago (their applicant pool) was larger than it is today,” he said. “The board of directors is definitely in the process of structuring itself and becoming hierarchical.”

If the right offer comes in, the Hawks will trade the pick, but in this draft, will the Hawks see enough offers to make them seriously consider a move? It seems not. It appears the Hawks will pick first, and the big question now is who they will select.