The Hawks don’t have many believers around the NBA. Hell, a lot of folks in Atlanta aren’t exactly beaming with confidence in their basketball team.
Following yet another disappointing season, Landry Fields finally made some notable changes to the roster, trading Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, ending the experiment.
Trae Young and Murray never looked good, box score or eye-test wise. The Hawks were a worse team with both of them on the court at the same time. Atlanta netted a few players and a couple of first-round picks. Dyson Daniels and the Lakers’ first-rounder were the most notable assets recouped in the Murray trade.
Other than Daniels, there was virtually no turnover on the roster… until the Hawks won the lottery. And, of course, it just so happened to be the one draft class that didn’t have an obvious No. 1 pick — just the Hawks’ luck.
At the end of a drama-filled process, the club came away with Zaccharie Risacher instead of Alex Sarr and Reed Sheppard. It shocked some people, but there was no “right” choice. The Hawks were criticized, and it’s continued.
NBA.com polled all 30 general managers on various topics, a couple being about the rookie class, where Risacher didn’t receive much recognition at all. It seems the Association’s GMs don’t believe in the Frenchman.
Who will win the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year?
1. Reed Sheppard, Houston – 50%
2. Zach Edey, Memphis – 30%
3. Stephon Castle, San Antonio – 13%
» Also receiving votes: Ron Holland II, Detroit; Alex Sarr, Washington
Zaccharie Risacher didn’t receive a single vote? You’re telling me that not one single NBA GM believes he can win the Rookie of the Year award? That’s a damning indictment of what the rest of the league thinks of the Hawks’ No. 1 pick. If it’s any consolation, he did receive some votes for developing into the best player in five years.
Which rookie will be the best player in five years?
1. Reed Sheppard, Houston – 43%
2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio – 17%
3. Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta – 13%
T-4. Bub Carrington, Washington – 7%
T-4. Alex Sarr, Washington – 7%
» Also receiving votes: Matas Buzelis, Chicago; Donovan Clingan, Portland; Ron Holland II, Detroit; Dalton Knecht, L.A. Lakers
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Photographer: Glenn Gervot/Icon Sportswire
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