Hawks expected to address long-standing issue with versatile 2nd generation talent

With the No. 13 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks are projected to select Michigan State’s Jase Richardson.

The son of former NBA wing Jason Richardson, Jase is a 6-foot-3 guard, leaving the Spartans after one season. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 49.3% from the floor (57.4% eFG), 41.2% from beyond the arc, and 83.6% at the free throw line.

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo projected the potential outcome.

“Richardson made a good case for himself this season as a solid complementary player with room to grow, displaying well-rounded ability at Michigan State and solid effort playing on and off the ball,” Woo wrote on May 6. “That versatility makes sense with the Hawks' current personnel as a plug-and-play option, rotating in behind and alongside Trae Young and Dyson Daniels with the ability to balance lineups.”

Backup PG has been an issue for the Hawks for years. Their most recent attempt at addressing it has gone awry with 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin missing most of his second season.

Potential Hawks draft target Jase Richardson plays ‘mistake-free style’

“Richardson helped the Spartans win the Big Ten Championship and make the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony posted on X in April.

“Jase Richardson's pace, skill-level, feel for the game, perimeter shooting, and high-intensity defense give him an excellent framework to build on long-term. The son of Jason Richardson plays a mistake-free style.”

In addition to scoring lulls, the Hawks’ turnover percentage also increased without Young.

They went from 14.6% of their possessions ending in turnovers with Young the floor to 16% without, per Cleaning The Glass.

Of course, this could all be much ado about nothing, since the Hawks are not guaranteed to pick 13th in the draft’s first round. They acquired it from the Sacramento Kings in a trade that sent Kevin Huerter west. 

It still has a 3.8% chance of landing in the top 4 and a 0.8% shot of being No. 1, per Tankathon.

Notably, Woo also suggested the Hawks targeted frontcourt help to develop and listed big-bodied Illinois guard Will Riley as the No. 14 pick to the San Antonio Spurs.

Of course, that would be the selection the Spurs are receiving from the Hawks as part of the 2022 trade for Dejounte Murray. At any rate, getting the non-Young minutes figured out should be a priority for the Hawks this season, be it in the draft, free agency, or even via trade.

Bufkin is unproven. Terance Mann is best as a secondary playmaker, not a primary ball handler.

Young has also navigated nagging injuries in recent seasons. So finding an option who can keep the offense rolling while providing enough of his own is the needle the Hawks must thread.