May 12, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields (right) and Mark Tatum Deputy commissioner of the NBA after the Hawks get the number one pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery at McCormick Place West. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Hawks took their 3 percent odds and landed the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, which gives them a multitude of options. They can rebuild on the fly by trading one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray – preferably Young, per reports – and Clint Capela for more assets and use the first overall pick to sweeten any deal, or simply take who they deem to be the best overall prospect.
According to the latest draft rumors, the franchise has zeroed in on three possible players if it keeps the pick. And despite this year’s class being the worst in at least 11 years, the Hawks can still land an impact player if they choose wisely.
NBA Draft Rumors: Hawks narrow search to 3 prospects
Atlanta likes Frenchmen Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, per Marc Stein. The Hawks are also intrigued by UConn center Donovan Clingan, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
Alex Sarr
Sarr has been at or near the top of draft boards since he dominated the Ignite in the G League Showcase to the tune of 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game across two contests.
He’s one of the most physically gifted players in this draft, combining a 7-foot-1, 216-pound frame and a 7-4 wingspan with explosive, fluid movement that makes him look Kevin Garnett-ish on defense. He’s also shown flashes of a 3-point shot and some off-the-dribble creation, which gives him as high of a ceiling as any prospect in this class.
Zaccharie Risacher
Risacher is a 6-foot-10 forward who has shown lights-out shooting ability, a high basketball IQ and burgeoning defensive skills this season in France’s top league and EuroCup competition. He’s coming off a career-high 28-point game in which he hit 5 of his 9 3-point attempts.
Risacher is capable of guarding three positions, potentially four, while threatening opposing defenses from three, whether it’s off screens, pin-downs or spot-ups. The 19-year-old is shooting 38 percent from deep across 62 games in all competitions this season.
Donovan Clingan
Clingan helped lead the Huskies to back-to-back national championships and averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in less than 23 minutes per game as a sophomore in 2023-24.
During the NCAA tournament, he had 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks in a win over Northwestern in the round of 32 and 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in a Sweet 16 win over Illinois.
The 20-year-old measured 7-foot-3 and 282 pounds with a 7-7 wingspan and 9-7 standing reach at the NBA combine. Givony reported that there is “some chatter” about Clingan having fans within the Hawks’ front office.
Without a consensus top prospect in this year’s class, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Depending on which direction Atlanta General Manager Landry Fields wants to take this summer, any of these three prospects involved in the latest NBA draft rumors should be in play for the Hawks at No. 1.
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Andrew Hanlon is the Assistant Editor for The Dunk Central. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and has been writing about sports professionally for more than a decade. He started out covering local high school sports before transitioning into a full-time NBA connoisseur. He has been published on FanSided, SBNation and Sportscasting.
