NBA Draft 2024: Atlanta Hawks, Alexandre Sarr, Donovan Clingan, Zaccharie Risacher with Sam Vecenie

Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) hosts episode No. 1740 of the Locked on Hawks podcast, and he is joined by Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie, The Athletic, Game Theory Podcast). The conversation discusses the Atlanta Hawks and the 2024 NBA Draft, including options with the No. 1 overall pick, the latest intel, Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, Donovan Clingan, trade-down options, and much more.
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[@LockedOnHawks]

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[@stevenbfine]

I do not believe that the Wizards will trade #2 and #26 to move up to #1 in the draft. The Wizards simply want the best player available.

[@1mansopinion]

Draft Sar dammit! Don’t over think this

[@millennial953]

Also, it would really suck for Atlanta fans if they had to trade their first ever pick #1

[@robertomaldonado2723]

I don’t see a scenario where a team drafting 2-5 is looking to trade up. The value isn’t there to do so. Additionally, I don’t think teams drafting 6-14 have real interest in trading higher than 3-5. ATL is on the clock and they’re going to have to draft. The question is are they going to get it right?

[@ruru1993]

I think that we aren't that close to contending, which is why I hope we just take Sarr.

[@koolsmoothfan]

facts, the hawks are not close to a chip

[@ajevans1422]

Fair but Sarr has real bust potential. Worst case for Clingan or ZR is that they can be role players. Sarr is either going to be this unicorn or he is a niche player that won’t crack a rotation.

[@seki0123]

Hawks FO would be dumb to pass on Sarr. Sarr is the best defensive prospect who has athleticism and who can spread the floor. He would be a perfect PF for Hawks. This is exactly what we needed. When you have lengthy blocker like Wemby, it forces opponents to change their plays to perimeter. JJ, DJ, Hunter, OO can also defend perimeter. Why pass on this? JJ should play 3 rather than 4, so he doesn’t get banged up against bigger players. We can always get bigger center vet like Drummond cheap. We can get catch and shooter SG like Delon Wright cheap via trade or FA.

[@djteddiebear]

Let’s go Hawks

[@vonkaiser3]

Hi Brad, you and guests outside of sam today are consistent w/ the opinion JJ is a 4. JJ has SF tools closer to Scotty Pippen but has been stuck at small ball 4. I agree with Sam JJ, OO, Sarr can work. JJ jumper improved towards the end of the year.

[@LockedOnHawks]

Not just my opinion. The one the Hawks operate under. And it’s not “small ball” when he plays the 4. He has very typical power forward size. He can play the 3 if there’s enough shooting at the 4 and 5, but his “primary” position is the 4.

[@vonkaiser3]

@LockedOnHawks Hawks are a permanent smallball team. As of recent years we tend to mis position our players out of necessity. JJ should have been groomed as a 3, AJ as a 2 not a 3 etc in college park. JJ has the skill set to play 3. Primary mostly pg pre college. The jumper will improve.

[@LockedOnHawks]

This just isn’t true. The Hawks main starting frontcourt this season was Hunter, Johnson, Capela. No part of that is small ball. (I’ve killed them over and over for not having depth at forward)

[@vonkaiser3]

@LockedOnHawks we had a pg at the 2, bey and Hunt at the 4? Bogey, G Mathews and windler at the 3 all should be 2's, W Matthew's at the 4. A legit 6'9 starting center with 6'7 backup center. Our team almost qualified for the old WBL 6"5 and under league.

[@vonkaiser3]

@LockedOnHawks was so painful watching us getting dominated by the knicks and Trae getting trapped every game by lengthy defenders. Also Trae repeatedly not being able to get the ball inbounds over the Def. Size matters on the bb court.

[@dawellbautista4912]

I really like matas buzelis that’s who I’d get in a trade down and go sign/trade for a veteran big

[@robertblackman7235]

Hawks don’t mess this up

[@babyjocko2452]

LOL That's asking for a lot! A whole LOT! Hawks FO is not known for brilliancy.

[@koolsmoothfan]

they probably will

[@ajevans1422]

The hawks franchise has been poorly run for like 50 years.

[@Glennweside]

Hawks definitely gonna mess up

[@seki0123]

Landry said he will keep 1st.

[@LockedOnHawks]

I was there and it's chronicled in Episode 1741, but that's not what he said. He said that as of Monday, they plan to pick first.

[@danthekarman]

I’m glad this guy doesn’t make the decisions

[@TheBLACKSTARmovement]

Landry!! PLEASE dont be stupid!! Just pick Sarr!

[@HalseyHFW]

I'm Clingan to hope the Hawks trade down with the Spurs.

[@jaypee2185]

given the lack of a bona fide superstar at #1 (as currently perceived), the wizards' #2 or #26 could very well turn out to be the best player in the entire draft. wizards should stay put or trade back and collect as many assets as possible. they need a lot.

[@jefferyharrison7263]

Draft sarr and start with that. We have to get away from bigs that can’t shoot. Like sarr is the best player in the draft

[@johnknoblauch7431]

Is Houston not a realistic trade partner regarding #3 involving Hunter, Bogi, or DJ?

[@vonkaiser3]

Hunt would be pretty good with houston. He's an upgrade Over D brooks

[@chadalexander292]

First of all the Hawks needs a real GM.. & why would you trade Murray tho🤦🏿‍♂️what has he not done? I'll trade Jalen Johnson before i trade Murray.. Murray contract is good & he's the best defensive player on the team & its not Hunter... Dude tweaking he said he'll keep trading down TF for what the Hawks needs a player that can help now

[@LockedOnHawks]

‘best defensive player on the team’ gave me a good chuckle

[@chadalexander292]

@@LockedOnHawks who else on the Hawks have made an all defensive team??

[@vonkaiser3]

Have we really not had Sarr come in for workouts with 10 days to go?

[@koolsmoothfan]

if any team can blow the number one pick it's the hawks lol

[@Glennweside]

​@@koolsmoothfan they drafting clingan

[@koolsmoothfan]

@@Glennweside they probably will lol

[@chrishutchens5167]

Washington not trading the 26 pick we need to many pieces

[@jefferyharrison7263]

Stars always come out in weak draft look at the draft that Greek freak got drafted in they said it was weak too but he a nba champion

[@jeraldtroutmansr22]

It’s not just who is the best scorer. DJ is a better leader. The best player has to be all in and Trae is about his stats. Just my opinion

[@chadalexander292]

Perfectly said.

[@StaticSkater]

Clingan will be the end of his franchise

[@chadalexander292]

How?

[@Glennweside]

Same ole hawks smh

[@Glennweside]

​wym how he's trash

[@chadalexander292]

@@Glennweside you've never played basketball before tho, to call the young man trash 🤦🏿he help won won 2 national championship

[@smootheasy7938]

@@chadalexander292So, he’s Christian Laitnier

[@Glennweside]

Hawks so dumb they gonna draft clingan

[@vonkaiser3]

Sir, Bogut was athletic and not slow pre injury, also has a J.

[@LockedOnHawks]

Bogut shot 31% in his career outside of 15 feet. 33% outside of 10 feet.

[@vonkaiser3]

@@LockedOnHawks lol 33% was considered a stretch big back in the days of the bangers 😂

[@Edo9River]

But you have to consider that season ticket sales are important. Sarr will sell tickets. The others won’t move the needle. Secondly Trae wants something to work with that excites him. Sarr would more likely do that for Trae. Other choices will hep Trae make up his mind to leave Atlanta. So, if Quinn gets his way, the Hawks are a short term pony with Clinton.

[@shed3622]

Sarr

[@Edo9River]

I have listened to a lot of opinions, including Sam’s, and all things considered, there are several competing directions. Interests. I suppose I would encourage San Antonio to give the max to get as much value. Sarr would be so nice to pair with Trae, but finally I would prey on San Antonio for a bunch of picks WE TRADED AWAY, because we thought Murray was the 2nd coming…I have to trust the combined intuition and needs, and prejudices (like Quin’s)..It will be whatever..Again I would trade the first pick. For as much as I could

[@navblue20]

As a San Antonio Spurs fan we are not inclined to bail you out of your mistake. If and this is a big IF we made a trade we would demand back way more what you think we should give you. We are not gonna give you your picks back unless we get something other than that #1. Your front office has more sense than that. If you all are really smart in Atlanta and you wanna recover then take your pick And make the right decision.

[@Edo9River]

@@navblue20 well said. I appreciate your reply. I’m trying to detach myself from the situation… I’m not a basketball fan to the same degree that I ve followed Atlanta Braves baseball. My comments were made with a lot of tongue in cheek….cheeky. 😝

[@MrSlantwise]

Sarr! Then trade his rights if someone offers you something crazy.

[@allenwardjr9222]

No one cares for the Hawks like Hawks fans. Pick Sars!!!!

[@user-ej1pe5lo9w]

I am convinced the hawks will trade down, possibly with San Antonio. Trade 1 for #4 & 8. I would like to see a 2025 pick thrown in there from the Spurs standpoint. Clingan and maybe Holland? Also, if we draft Clingan, do we keep trae and DJ knowing we have a true defensive anchor? We’ll see. Go Hawks

[@LockedOnHawks]

FWIW - We discuss on this show that we both don’t think the Spurs would offer 4 and 8, much less anything else beyond that.

[@nicholaswalker5394]

that's why you're not making the decisions for the hawks! Very bad take, hawks draft Sarr

[@shondarby-mcconnell1502]

Im so glad yall in the comments arent calling the shots for the Hawks Sarr does not fit in Atlanta knock it off

[@ajevans1422]

Sarr does fit if he hits that ceiling. We don’t know what Sarr is. If he wants to be a primary 4, the fit is clunky.

[@shondarby-mcconnell1502]

@@ajevans1422 NO he doesnt fit bcuz of Onyeka and Jalen realistically the Hawks are gonna give up CC and they will have to put Sarr at the 5 and having A small ass center has never worked

[@ajevans1422]

@@shondarby-mcconnell1502 if Sarr is the center, Capela is staying. If Clingan is the pick, you can make a case for OO staying. Most likely OO will be traded to pick up some much needed wing depth

[@shondarby-mcconnell1502]

@@ajevans1422 that makes NO sense to put Sarr at center wen they can unload Clint draft Clingan and put Onyeka at the 4 but we will see on draft nite