The excitement around the 2024 NBA Draft seems on par with Steve Francis hearing he would be headed to Vancouver in 1999.
Even though this season has not ended and teams like Nuggets and Celtics are still competing, others are already with their eyes on the draft. If you are a fan of any of the teams in the playoffs you can check this website and find the latest odds for teams like the Denver Nuggets.
Nonetheless, there have been several NBA executives and plenty of pundits who have claimed that this year’s class is already among the worst ever, without even setting foot on an NBA court.
With no surefire player to take with the first overall pick, unlike last year when Victor Wembanyama was a lock, the 2024 NBA Draft seems like a crapshoot of young talent that may one day turn out to be a valued roster member.
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Having failed to reach the playoffs in three straight seasons, the Atlanta Hawks are floating in limbo. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray are All-Star level talent, yet they haven’t been able to make things work for the past two years. Onyeka Okongwu has the potential to become a starting big man but will sit behind Clint Capella for one more season.
De’Andre Hunter is solid but unspectacular for a fourth-overall pick and Jalen Johnson just had a breakout year, putting up impressive stats on a bad team. So the question becomes, do the Hawks hold on to the top pick and build around youth or do they package it and trade for a proven talent that can hopefully return them to the postseason?
Let’s assume that the Hawks keep the pick, who is on the board that will make the most sense for what the team currently has under contract?
Alexandre Sarr – Perth Wildcats
At 7’1”, Sarr has the body of a modern-day big man in terms of athletic build and his ability to fill the stat sheet. Averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 17.3 minutes in the NBL, Sarr could play either the power forward or center position. While he has shown flashes of ball handling and long-range shot-making, it will be his impact on the defensive end that is likely to stand out first. Think of Sarr as “Wembanyama lite”.
NBA Comparison – Evan Mobley, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Zaccharie Risacher – JL Bourg
A combo shooting guard/small forward, Risacher is one of the better outside shooters in the draft, hitting 39% last season. Standing 6’9”, Risacher has the ability to play multiple positions, possessing a smooth shooting touch, improved facilitating skills and a strong understanding of the game, thanks to playing on a professional level since 2021. The only concern with drafting Risacher is that he has a similar skillset to De’Andre Hunter.
NBA Comparison – Michael Porter Jr., Cameron Johnson
With the NBA Draft nearly a month away, there are a lot of things that can change, but at this point it seems as though Sarr and Risacher are the two likely candidates to be the first overall pick. If the Hawks decide to go with one of the following players, it means they will have traded down in the draft to acquire an additional piece, maybe along the lines of a Brandon Ingram or a Mikal Bridges, to help in their rebuilding process.
Donovan Clingan – Connecticut Huskies
If the Hawks are looking for a true big man to replace Capela, UConn’s 7’2”, 280lb honorable All-American isn’t a bad place to start. A two-time National Champion during his short two year NCAA career, Clingan’s calling card is his defense. Combining outstanding rim protection with top tier pick and roll defense, Clingan has great mobility for a man his size.
Whereas Clingan stands out on defense, his limited range on offense is equally as noticeable, Hitting only 2-8 three pointers during his two college seasons and only 55.8% from the free throw line, the Hawks would have to be willing to give up offense for defense.
NBA Comparison – Jakob Poeltl, Walker Kessler
Matas Buzelis – G League Ignite
The Hawks could be rolling the dice on spending the top pick on Buzelis. An early season injury hampered his production during his one year with the development program, leading to inconsistent play as he tried to climatize himself to the higher level of competition. However the 6’8” combo guard/forward did show an ability to lead the fast break, attack the hoop off the bounce, and catch and shoot with range.
NBA Comparisons – Franz Wagner, Hedo Turkoglu
Reed Sheppard – Kentucky Wildcats
The Hawks only draft Sheppard if they have a trade for either Young or Murray in the bag. A dynamic shooter with plenty of versatility, the Kentucky freshman shot 52% from downtown and 53% overall, finishing the season averaging 12.5 points per game. Although his athleticism and offensive versatility are underwhelming, Sheppard’s high basketball IQ helps to make up for his physical shortcomings.
