On Sunday afternoon in Chicago, IL, the Atlanta Hawks won the 2024 NBA Draft lottery, and consequently were awarded the number one overall draft choice in June’s NBA Draft.
This is the first time the Hawks have won the lottery, and the first time since the merger that they will have the number one overall pick. In 1975, they selected North Carolina State’s David Thompson number one. The eventual Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer never played in Atlanta, instead signing with the ABA’s Denver Nuggets.
Unlike last year’s draft, the 2024 version does not have that one potential superstar that everyone is gunning for. It does, however, have some intriguing prospects.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr, both from France, as two of the top prospects, along with 7 foot, 2 inch Donovan Clingan (University of Connecticut), and the University of Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham.
Risacher, at 6 foot, 9 inches, is thought to be a “3 and D” wing at the next level. With Clingan being a prototypical big man, and Dillingham a 6 foot, 3 inch guard, Sarr figures to be the most logical pick for the Hawks.
The Hawks are set at the guard and forward spots, with Kobe Bufkin and AJ Griffin both 20-years-old, and Jalen Johnson, who has a team option of nearly $3 million this offseason, just 22 years of age. Not to mention, if they keep Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, there are very limited guard or forward spots.
Clint Capela, 29 years old, has his contract expiring after the 2024-2025 season. While he is a very good rebounder (14.3 in ‘20-‘21, 10.7 for his career) and shot blocker (1.5 for his career), the Hawks will be better suited going after Sarr for their future, if only because of Capela’s age and for the things that Sarr gives.
Sarr, 7 feet, 1 inch and just 19 years of age, has loads of potential. His ability on the offensive end to go off the dribble and shoot, as well as impressive measurables - 7 foot, 4 and a half inch wingspan and 9 foot, 2 and a half inch standing reach - make him a very intriguing prospect. Sarr most recently played for the Perth Wildcats of Australia’s NBL, and averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in just 17.3 minutes per contest.
While those look like measly numbers, it’s worth pointing out the low minute average. He also only averaged 6.9 shot attempts per game, and shot 51.6 percent from the field.
Sarr, as a rather raw and young but intriguing talent, could be a big get for the Hawks at number one. He could take a couple of years to truly hit his stride, and will need to add weight (he is just 216 pounds), but giving Young a big man who can play make, is active, and can defend would be a very sound front office move by Hawk GM Landry Fields.
Young is still just 25 (will be 26 at the start of next season) and adding a player like Sarr for him to play with would give him that new wave big man to pair with. The pick and rolls, for instance, with Sarr rolling to the basket would be difficult for defenses to defend, and his ability to also stretch the floor gives you two guys in a pick and roll situation who are outside threats. Not only would he be a rim protector right away, but with development he can become a very potent offensive weapon and difficult matchup.
If the Hawks want to continue to build around Young, Sarr is the choice to help aide their contention not just for now (they were a play-in team this year), but for the future as well.
Comentarios