The Atlanta Hawks selected French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, marking the third time in league history that the top two picks have not played college basketball. Fellow Frenchman Alexandre Sarr was taken second by the Washington Wizards. The draft featured a number of other notable selections, including Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard, UConn’s Stephon Castle, and G League Ignite’s Ron Holland II.
Brandon Ingram is reportedly on his way out of New Orleans this summer, and there will be no shortage of teams looking to add his all-around talent. The Pistons, Hawks, Spurs, Cavaliers, and Kings are all potential suitors for Ingram, and each team has its own unique set of assets to offer in a trade.
The Denver Nuggets overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers, taking a 2-0 series lead. Jamal Murray led the comeback, finishing with 21 points and 15 rebounds. The New York Knicks also secured a 2-0 lead over the Atlanta Hawks, despite playing without their top two scorers. Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin stepped up for the Knicks, combining for 39 points. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Miami Heat, continuing their playoff struggles. Joel Embiid was hobbled by an injury, and the team lacked a reliable supporting cast.
The Atlanta Hawks have faced a sharp decline since their 2021 Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The team’s poor performance, internal conflicts, and unsuccessful acquisitions have raised concerns. Notably, the trade for All-Star Dejounte Murray has not yielded positive results due to compatibility issues with star Trae Young. SportsTalkATL’s Mark Zinno believes the Hawks should consider trading one or both players and initiating a total rebuild similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This suggestion is met with reluctance from fans, but Zinno presents compelling reasons for the organization to consider a drastic change.
