Atlanta Hawks

A pair of exciting rookies made their NBA Summer League debuts on Friday.

No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher and No. 2 pick Alex Sarr battled it out in Las Vegas as Sarr's Washington Wizards beat Risacher's Atlanta Hawks 94-88.

Both put together solid stat lines in their first Summer League games with Risacher putting up 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block and Sarr notching 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four blocks.

The first matchup between Risacher and Sarr provided plenty of action as well, with the game ultimately coming down to the final few possessions.

One thing that stood out quickly was the athleticism the top two picks possess.

1st overall pick getting after it 💪 https://t.co/fKdAlaMslk pic.twitter.com/Q7YCnkrZjj

— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2024

Wizards' rookie Alex Sarr with back-to-back big blocks! 🛑

ATL-WAS | Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Q8AiYTYzBQ

— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2024

After the impressive debut, NBA fans hyped Risacher's performance and praised his upside as a promising player.

“Risacher is the worst 1st pick ever” is gonna be one of the worst takes of all time in a few years

— ✈️ (@JJETSFAN) July 13, 2024

Zacch Risacher has a "bag" even if it's not isoing a guy in space.

His ability to cut and move off ball or step back to create space for the three is already really advanced for a 19 y/o.

— Wes (@bloghawk) July 13, 2024

Risacher checking the boxes that you want to see checked through 3 quarters.

— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) July 13, 2024

Risacher works every second he’s on the court

It’s really impressive

— G Willis (@willis_glen) July 13, 2024

Risacher’s skill is really evident. Really good movement off the ball, just always looks in control. Can tell he’s been a pro for awhile.

— AKelly (@andlankell) July 13, 2024

Risacher drops in a lefty bank hook over Sarr for his first bucket, and then makes a catch-shoot corner 3. This proves they made the right pick.

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) July 13, 2024

For Sarr, fans took note of his defensive ability, claiming his presence in the paint could make up for his offense as he continues to develop.

Alex Sarr’s defense looks amazing

— Steelpen19 (@Steelpen19) July 13, 2024

Sarr's abilities defense will make the growing pains on offense easier to deal with

— ADW (@StillUnknown85) July 13, 2024

Alex Sarr nice on defense

— LEGENDARY ⌚️ (@BtwlPicks__) July 13, 2024

Sarr's defense absolutely real

— ADW (@StillUnknown85) July 13, 2024

Sarr having a horrible offensive game but has been great on defense

— AnsonW🎗️ (@AnsonW_1) July 13, 2024

https://twitter.com/xxrdotxx/status/1811948923914801279

What's clear for both rookies is that they have the chance to have tremendous NBA careers based on the small sample size fans have seen so far. While both are still developing and working on different areas of their game, the potential is obvious and the Hawks and Wizards seemingly made the right picks.

Fans will get the chance to see Risacher, Sarr and many other exciting rookies in action for the next 10 days in NBA Summer League, which continues from Las Vegas on Saturday.

If the Atlanta Hawks are going to trade a big man this summer, don't be surprised if it's Larry Nance Jr. and not Clint Capela.

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Hawks "have been trying to trade Capela for more than a year, but league sources say that the Atlanta big man drawing the most external interest is the newly acquired Nance. Word is Nance, who came to the Hawks in the recent Dejounte Murray trade, is being chased by multiple teams in need of proven size."

Nance, 31, didn't exactly light up the stat sheet last season, averaging 5.7 points and five rebounds per game for the New Orleans Pelicans across 61 contests, all off the bench. The 30-year-old Capela actually posted far superior numbers (11.5 PPG, 10.6 RPB, 1.5 BPG in 73 games, all starts).

The difference in contracts probably has something to do with the interest around the league more aimed in Nance's direction, however.

Capela is due to make $22.2 million this year before becoming an unrestricted free agent after the season. That's a big number, especially for contenders probably only adding around the margins this offseason.

Nance, meanwhile, will make half that salary at $11.2 million, and like Capela will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2024-25 campaign. That figure would undoubtedly be easier for most contenders to roster match, allowing them to cobble together cheaper contracts for players lower down the rotation.

The Hawks are in a transition phase this offseason after trading Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans and winning the top overall selection in the NBA draft lottery, which they used to select French wing Zaccharie Risacher.

The question now is whether the Hawks will attempt to do a full rebuild around Risacher, trading off Trae Young and other veterans, or if they will attempt to build a contender in the short term around Young while developing Risacher for the long term. Other teams have unsuccessfully tried the latter approach, like the Golden State Warriors, so at some point, the Hawks may have to choose a lane eventually.

For now, however, the Hawks seemingly haven't signed off on a full fire sale.

The Atlanta Hawks were reportedly unwilling to offer Brandon Ingram a new contract during trade discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans.

According to William Guillory of The Athletic, Atlanta "didn't have much interest" in giving Ingram a new deal and breaking up the team's center rotation of Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu.

Instead, the Hawks traded Dejounte Murray to New Orleans on June 28 in exchange for Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddell and Larry Nance Jr. as well as two first-round picks.

Ingram currently has one season remaining on a five-year, $158 million deal that he signed with the team in 2020. He'll earn a base salary of $36 million during his 2024-25 campaign before he's set to hit unrestricted free agency (via Spotrac).

With no long-term extension in place, the Pelicans can move him for assets and avoid him leaving as a free agent in 2025 with no return. While the Hawks weren't interested in giving Ingram a new contract, there are still several other potential suitors.

Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported on June 28 that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings were both interested in Ingram.

However, Sacramento may not view him as a realistic option anymore after acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. DeRozan received a three-year deal worth $74 million as part of the move, which was likely much less expensive compared to Ingram's next contract.

The 26-year-old has remained a steady contributor for the Pelicans, although his individual production has plateaued after he earned an All-Star nod in 2020. Ingram averaged 20.8 points per game during his 2023-24 campaign, representing his lowest scoring average with New Orleans.

He also struggled during the Pelicans' first-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Without Zion Williamson, Ingram averaged a mere 14.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 34.5/25.0/89.5 shooting splits.

CHET TOUGH MOVE ON BI 😳

Ingram ended up staying in the game 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AIywnzOTbG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 25, 2024

While New Orleans could still find a trade partner for the former No. 2 overall pick, Atlanta doesn't appear to be a potential landing spot.

Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, will be available to play in Summer League for the Atlanta Hawks now that he is under contract.

The Hawks announced Risacher signed his rookie deal on Saturday.

We have signed our No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher ✍️

Details ➡️ https://t.co/KF6SfuKtw2 pic.twitter.com/8cGQ6t3CWP

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 6, 2024

Under the NBA's rookie scale, the total value for the No. 1 pick in this year's draft is $57 million over four years.

Risacher will earn $12.6 million in his rookie season and $13.2 million in 2025-26. His two option years are worth $13.8 million (2026-27) and $17.4 million (2027-28).

It seemed likely that Risacher's deal was at least close to being finalized on Friday. The Hawks released their official Summer League roster with the 19-year-old listed among the 13-player group.

Hawk Boy Summer pic.twitter.com/7cOUxSSGPR

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 5, 2024

There is a lot of hype in Atlanta for Risacher as the first No. 1 overall pick for the franchise since David Thompson in 1975. The French sensation is coming to the NBA after being named an LNB All-Star during his lone season with JL Bourg.

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman has compared Risacher's game to Harrison Barnes and Michael Porter Jr., calling him "a big shotmaking wing and complementary scorer" in the NBA.

The Hawks have done some retooling of their roster already this offseason to potentially maximize Risacher's ability to make an impact early in his career. Dejounte Murray will reportedly be traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Atlanta's offense will still run through Trae Young as long as he is on the team, but Risacher's size and shotmaking could make for an easy transition to the level of competition he will go up against.

Any sort of solid performance from Risacher this season will be a huge win for a Hawks team that needs to find building blocks it can use to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference after being in the play-in tournament each of the past three seasons.

Saddiq Bey will enter unrestricted free agency after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $8.5 million qualifying offer, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Bey is set to miss the start of the 2024-25 season after undergoing March surgery on a torn ACL in his left knee.

He averaged 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists through 63 games last season prior to his injury.

The 25-year-old forward could still return to the Hawks on a cheaper contract next season, in which case Atlanta would keep his Bird rights, The Athletic's John Hollinger noted.

That would make it easier to the Hawks to re-sign Bey to a new contract next offseason if he is healthy and ready to start the 2025-26 campaign.

Bey's qualifying offer was originally set to be worth about $2.5 million, but he received the $2 million increase after officially being qualified as a "starter" with his 41st start of the season.

That difference may have priced him out of the Hawks' range.

Bey, drafted with the No. 19 pick of the 2020 draft by the Brooklyn Nets and immediately traded to the Detroit Pistons, finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2020-21.

He was traded to the Hawks in 2023 and has served as a key piece of their rotation since.

Bey made 51 starts during the 2023-24 season as he stepped into the rotation to fill in for injured players like Jalen Johnson and De'Andre Hunter, playing his primary position of small forward as well as power forward.

Although Bey's three-point shooting dipped to 31.6 percent last season, his defensive abilities and his flexibility switching between positions became an important part of Atlanta's frontcourt.

After selecting forward Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, however, the Hawks may have decided they have enough forward depth to let Bey walk.

Despite being slated to miss part of the 2024-25 campaign, Bey is still likely to attract interest from teams looking to add to their wing depth while pushing toward the playoffs down the stretch next season.

The Atlanta Hawks have announced the jersey number of their No. 1 overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher.

As Risacher begins his NBA journey, the French forward will wear No. 10 for Atlanta, the team revealed in a video on X on Thursday.

Our 1⃣ will rock 1⃣0⃣ @Zacch_10 pic.twitter.com/3Fhb3DHeVG

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 27, 2024

The Hawks are looking to Risacher to be the future of the franchise after taking him with the top pick in Wednesday night's draft. The 6'8" wing has plenty of upside and could have success out of the gate in his rookie season.

During his final season with Bourg-en-Bresse in France, Risacher averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from deep.

In his scouting report of Risacher, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman highlighted his shotmaking and perimeter scoring ability along with his defensive upside.

"For a guard or wing, Risacher has excellent height and length that he uses to get off clean perimeter shots and finish over defenders," Wasserman wrote. "Athleticism gives him an extra boost in transition and on driving layups and runners. He's a smooth leaper who can take off far from the hoop."

The only weaknesses Wasserman noted were Risacher's self-creation and free throw shooting, two things that he certainly can improve upon as he settles into the NBA.

Atlanta's No. 1 pick was its only selection in the 2024 NBA draft, but it got a potential star in Risacher and the Hawks are hoping he will meet the high expectations that come with being the top pick.

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela has reportedly drawn interest from the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards amid buzz about a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, per Action Network's Matt Moore.

Moore noted the struggles the Hawks have had finding a deal for Capela in recent seasons, and an NBA executive commented on why Atlanta hasn't been able to move him.

"Everyone wants centers, but Capela is 30 and a very traditional big who hasn't had a strong season in a while," the personnel executive said, per Moore.

Moore also reported that the New Orleans Pelicans have called the Hawks about the veteran big man.

Capela's numbers have declined steadily over the past few seasons as he averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season. Still, he could be a valuable rim protector and lob threat on offense as he enters his 10th NBA campaign.

The Wizards could use depth at the position after trading away Daniel Gafford last season. Washington got a big man in the draft, selecting Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick, but they still lack a true center as Sarr plays more as a power forward.

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, drafted 7'4" center Zach Edey with the No. 9 pick in the NBA draft, so they have someone who can play alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. in the paint. However, Edey is far from a finished product, so adding Capela to be the starter next season could be a good move.

Pelicans' starting center Jonas Valančiūnas is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is reportedly being targeted by the Lakers. If he walks in free agency, picking up Capela would be a solid replacement.

Whichever team decides to trade for Capela—if any—would have to accept the possibility that he could be a short-term option as he's entering the final year of a two-year deal and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Atlanta Hawks forward and No. 1 draft overall pick Zaccharie Risacher compared his game and playing style to that of Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

"I like the way he plays and I think we've got the same game."

No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher takes inspiration in his playing style from Warriors legend Klay Thompson. pic.twitter.com/IRm97FXTHB

— FanDuel Sports Network South (@FanDuelSN_SO) June 27, 2024

Thompson, of course, is best known for his three-point shooting prowess over his career. Risacher just lit it up from downtown during EuroCup play this past season for French team JL Bourg, hitting 56.1 percent of his three-pointers over 17 games.

We'll see how he fares in the NBA, but multiple analysts offered pro comparisons to productive and successful pro players.

Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report provided a pro comparison to Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes. Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer wrote that Risacher's game has shades of Barnes and Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris. Kyle Boone of CBS Sports offered a comparison to Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.

Overall, there's certainly hope Risacher will have a long and productive career with a game that translates well to the NBA.

With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected French forward Zaccharie Risacher.

FRENCH STAR ZACCHARIE RISACHER IS AN ATLANTA HAWK 🔥

He played in the SAME French league as Wemby 🤯

(via @ShamsCharania) pic.twitter.com/6fIpzod3N1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 27, 2024

2024 marked the second consecutive year in which a French prospect was selected with the top pick after the San Antonio Spurs added Victor Wembanyama in 2023.

The choice was far from a certainty, as Atlanta was also reportedly considering fellow French forward Alex Sarr as well as UConn center Donovan Clingan. On Wednesday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski listed Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard as another potential option.

However, the Hawks ultimately chose Risacher to pair alongside All-Star point guard Trae Young.

Fans were excited with the pick.

ZACCHARIE RISACHER IS HEADED TO ATLANTA AS THE NO. 1 PICK 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9pRlulQ9rD

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 27, 2024

Trae Young 🤝 Zaccharie Risacher pic.twitter.com/JE23nYIPbk

— Camisa 23 (@camisa_23) June 27, 2024

Atlanta just did something they haven’t done since they drafted Trae Young, they have finally drafted a wing.

That’s the most important thing for this franchise, Risacher a large sample size of shooting success in his career already. He’s not a defensive (hold my own) guy not… pic.twitter.com/FZxuNTzzUF

— BKS Sports (@BKSecretsports) June 27, 2024

The glass half full argument for Risacher:

6'10 two-way SF who can defend POA

Doesn't need the ball = good fit with Trae

18 y/o on a previous bad French team playing a prominent role

Won't be an initiator, but there is some connective passer upside

(haters will call it cope)

— Wes (@bloghawk) June 26, 2024

Trae Young welcoming Zaccharie Risacher to the Atlanta Hawks. pic.twitter.com/vQkfCeSw3T

— At The Buzzer (@AtTheBuzzer1) June 27, 2024

Now I don’t think they are trading Trae Young anymore, this guy will receive lot of love from him https://t.co/hGE0MCYVyL

— Abdulbasit (@Kattapa_Allah) June 27, 2024

Risacher wrapped up an impressive 2023-24 campaign overseas, playing for JL Bourg in LNB Pro A. In 32 games of league play, the 19-year-old averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game. Risacher shot 43.9 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from behind the arc, connecting on 74.0 percent of his free throws.

He looked even better throughout 17 games of EuroCup play, averaging 13.1 points each contest on 56.6/56.1/65.9 shooting splits.

While his individual production isn't eye-popping compared to No. 1 overall picks in past years, his development as a ball-handler at his height of 6'9" intrigued teams such as the Hawks throughout the pre-draft process.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman highlighted his improvements off the dribble in his scouting report of Risacher, comparing the forward to Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets as well as Sacramento Kings wing Harrison Barnes.

"But Risacher is also in the conversation at No. 1 overall due to his potential to add more creation and playmaking from his ball-handling development," Wasserman wrote. "With more on-ball reps last year in France's U21 League, he was able to show more off the dribble than he has for his new team in LNB Pro A."

Hit fit next to Young is intriguing, as the three-time All-Star is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 10.8 assists per game.

Despite some uncertainty regarding the pick leading up to the draft, fans were thrilled with the selection of Risacher.

Zaccharie Risacher was projected to be one of the top players available at the 2024 NBA draft. The Atlanta Hawks made sure he didn't remain on the board for long, selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick.

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Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Zaccharie Risacher

Position: SF

Height: 6'8"

Pro Comparison: Harrison Barnes

Scouting Report: "Risacher's combination of positional size, athleticism and shotmaking creates a high floor and easy fit. And given his age and the flashes at junior levels overseas, he has a skill set and room to grow as a ball-handler, driver and secondary playmaker."

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Hawks Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

Zaccharie Risacher, SF: Rookie-scale contract

Trae Young, PG: $43M (2027)

Dejounte Murray, PG: $24.8M (2028)

Clint Capela, C: $22.3M (2025)

De'Andre Hunter, SF: $21.7M (2027)

Bogdan Bogdanović, SG: $17.3M (2027)

Onyeka Okongwu, C: $14M (2028)

Jalen Johnson, SF: $4.5M (2025)

Kobe Bufkin, PG: $4.3M (2027)

A.J. Griffin, SF: $3.9M (2026)

Bruno Fernando, C: $2.7M (2026)

Mouhamed Gueye, PF: $1.9M (2027)

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Free Agents

Saddiq Bey, SF: RFA

Wesley Matthews, SG: UFA

Garrison Matthews, SG: Club option

Trent Forest, PG: UFA

Seth Lundy, SG: RFA

Dylan Windler, SF: RFA

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The 19-year-old Risacher is yet another prospect to make the jump from European basketball directly to the NBA, having played for France's JL Bourg in the 2023-24 season and LDLC ASVEL between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns.

He averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 32 Betclic Élite games, shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from three.

But for Risacher, it was simply a stepping stone before his NBA aspirations.

"It's always been my dream to get to the best league in the world," he told ESPN's Jonathan Givony in April. "I've been putting the work in for this since I was a kid. JL Bourg has given me an incredible opportunity to showcase what I can do. It's been the perfect place to start my young career. I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to play for this organization."

But it's on to bigger and better things for Risacher, Atlanta will be hoping he can live up to the hype.