Top NBA Draft Prospect’s Agency Reportedly Tried To Avoid Atlanta Hawks

In May, the Atlanta Hawks were fortunate to land the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. More than a month later, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Hawks general manager Landry’s choice Fields.

Previous reports indicated the Hawks had difficulty convincing many of the draft’s top prospects to come in for a private workout. The Hawks have had a little more success lately, having Zacharie Risacher participate in a practice session.

Yet another prospect expected to be a top-five pick has refused to work out for Atlanta with less than a week until Wednesday’s NBA draft kicks off.

According to Jake Fischer and Dan Devine on the The bullet doesn’t lie podcast, French prospect Alex Sarr’s agency is doing its best to make sure the Hawks don’t draft the 7-foot center.

“Every agency does things differently. Like right now, this whole rumor that Atlanta is not a situation where WME wants Alex Sarr, the top prospect from Perth, Australia, who is French. He played in several different places. I went to Overtime Elite. They don’t want him to be a member of the Hawks, which could theoretically cost him $9 million over four years. Everything revolves around this second contract. It’s all about fit blah blah blah.

Jake Fischer on Alexandre Sarr’s preference to avoid the Atlanta Hawks

If it’s true that Sarr’s camp is looking to avoid their client being drafted by Atlanta, that should open the door for Risacher or UConn’s Donovan Clingan to become the No. 1 pick instead. Still, we find it hard to imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to be the first pick, especially when given the chance to join Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

What’s the alternative, joining the Washington Wizards and being expected to be a savior of the franchise? That could put even more weight on a young rookie’s shoulders than having the honor of being the first overall pick.