First overall picks being duds have become rather rare nowadays with talents from around the globe becoming more known. However, there are definitely some aberrations, and the Philadelphia 76ers are all too familiar with that instance. Now, it seems like the Atlanta Hawks are going through that realization phase when it comes to their own No. 1 pick in Zaccharie Risacher.
Risacher, who showed a lot of promise in his rookie year, has absolutely stagnated in Year 2. He is posting almost the same numbers, but his disposition has been rather concerning. In fact, there are now reports popping up that the Hawks have become amenable to the thought of trading him, which is something you don’t ordinarily see this early for someone taken with the first overall pick.
Not that the Hawks need some sympathy points, but the 76ers are one of the only teams that can give them something even more profound — empathy. Philadelphia has had its fair share of disappointments in the draft in recent years, but none more prominent than Markelle Fultz, who is now out of the league despite a stellar billing coming into the NBA.
The 76ers are seeing shades of Markelle Fultz with Hawks sophomore Zaccharie Risacher
Fultz was a consensus top pick in his draft class while Risacher was not. After all, the 2024 class was perceived as being weak, and at this point, only Stephon Castle and perhaps Alex Sarr have really stood out from his batch. Circling back to the topic, this is really the only difference between Fultz and Risacher’s draft status.
Everything from thereon is starting to look like a mirror image of each other. Fultz’s injuries forced him to reinvent his shot until it became completely dysfunctional. It took the 76ers letting him go for him to get some semblance of confidence with the Magic, although that small fire dissipated rather quickly.
Now, Risacher likewise finds himself in an undesirable situation for his growth. Atlanta lucked into the first overall pick despite its team already being composed of players who are way higher in the pecking order than the Frenchman. While that is not preternatural for a rookie, as a sophomore, things ought to be much different.
Unfortunately for him, aside from the fact that he has been non-assertive in all facets, the Hawks do not view him as a priority on the floor. Jalen Johnson is taking the superstar leap. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is having a breakout year. Onyeka Okongwu is having his best year yet. Dyson Daniels is still viewed as a two-way savant despite his clear flaws. Trae Young is still out there dominating the rock. Yada, yada, yada.
Put simply, Atlanta does not have the ideal training grounds for Risacher — and it is not like he has done enough for the Hawks to feel compelled to warp that dynamic.
Just like the 76ers realized and eventually acted on, the Hawks might really need to move on from Risacher. While unconventional indeed, it would allow them to have a more concentric core they can focus on, while the first overall pick from last year can also find his footing better on a team that is more equipped to let him grow.