The Atlanta Hawks’ front office might have something in No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, which is far more of a compliment to the rookie than it may seem given how disparaged this class was coming in.
Still, Hawks general manager Landry Fields and Co. are not resting on their laurels.
The Hawks brain took a short trip to Kennesaw on November 24 to see Kennesaw State play host to potential No. 1 overall pick Airious “Ace” Bailey and Rutgers.
It was not just Fields and assistant general manager Kyle Korver, either. Hawks governor and principal owner Tony Ressler and son, Hawks Principal Advisor to the Governor Nick Ressler, were also on hand to see the game.
The Atlanta Hawks have their GM, assistant GM and owner at Kennesaw State to watch Ace Bailey (and, presumably, Dylan Harper). pic.twitter.com/HZr33mZTDY
— HawksMuse (@MuseHawk) November 24, 2024
Bailey is a 6-foot-10 forward with an advanced skill set on both ends of the floor.
“Bailey looks every bit the part of a No. 1 pick candidate and has a case to be considered the most talented prospect in the 2025 NBA draft,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony wrote in October.
“He's everything you look for in terms of his size (6-foot-10), frame and explosiveness, making several absurd plays on both ends of the floor that only a handful of players outside the NBA can think of executing. He brings character and swagger in everything he does, too.”
This is where is gets even more intriguing for Hawks fans, though.
According to Givony, “more than one” scout had Bailey’s teammate, 6-foot-6 guard Dylan Harper, as their No. 1 pick coming into the season.
“He's got size for a guard with outstanding ballhandling, pace and feel for the game, giving him versatility and a high floor, especially with how instinctual he is on defense,” Givony wrote.
“Harper's shooting -- somewhat on the streaky side -- and ability to convert the shots he creates for himself, will be keys in determining his productivity.”
Harper has a slight edge on Bailey as the Scarlet Knights’ leading scorer and has a decisive edge in assists. Bailey is better on the boards and as a rim protector. All of that is to be expected given their physical profiles.
There is a catch, though.
Hawks' draft picks situation clouds outlook
The Hawks’ 2025 first-round pick belongs to the San Antonio Spurs due to the 2022 trade for Dejounte Murray.
However, the Hawks own the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 first-round pick from the trade sending Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans this past offseason. As of November 25, Tankathon projects that pick to be No. 25 overall.
A lot can still change with such a long way to go in the season.
Still, it is notable that the Hawks are keeping tabs on two potential No. 1 pick candidates knowing their draft capital situation.
The Hawks also own rights to the Sacramento Kings 2025 first-round pick from the Kevin Huerter trade in 2023. But that pick is on track to defer to 2026 as it is currently slated to fall in the top 12 of the 2025 draft.
It is also notable that the Hawks are monitoring those positions.
Bailey’s physical profile is similar to Risacher and rising star Jalen Johnson. That could make Harper, who is closer in physical stature to Bogdan Bogdanovic and Dyson Daniels, more appealing.
Bogdanovic is 32 years old and has missed significant time with injuries in three of the last four seasons, including 2024-25. Daniels’ defense is as advertised if not better. But his offense, specifically his shooting, remains inconsistent enough to warrant some skepticism.
Of course, the Hawks could have also been scouting someone else entirely.