Hawks absolutely need this key player to turn things around 'ASAP'

It is still incredibly early, both in the regular season schedule and in the grand scheme of things, but the Atlanta Hawks desperately need rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher to start knocking down shots with regularity.

The top pick in an oft-maligned draft class, the ceiling for Risacher is a two-way player capable of being a three-level scorer and defender.

Right now, he is a willing defender. But far too often, Risacher has been an offensive liability.

“If the Hawks want to cement themselves as a playoff team in the East, they'll need Risacher to begin his breakout as soon as possible,” Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz wrote on January 4, adding the rookie’s “Breakout Timeline” is “ASAP.”

Swartz was not down on Risacher, though. Instead, Swartz’s analysis is more about patience.

“The No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 draft is having an OK rookie season, serving as a full-time starter for a now fun Atlanta Hawks team while averaging 10.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23.7 minutes,” Swartz wrote. “We weren't expecting big things out of Risacher this year despite his draft position.

“Simply looking like a good role player for now is fine, especially if the teenager can continue to improve his shot efficiency.”

Risacher is shooting 28.9% from beyond the arc this season.

He has not connected on multiple threes in back-to-back games since December 4, though he has also hit at least one three in eight of the 12 games they have played after that. Still, Risacher is shooting 25.6% from downtown in that span.

Risacher starts, but he is also sixth on the Hawks in minutes per game entering Saturday’s road tilt against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter, two bench players, both average more minutes.

“The reality is that we're more likely to see a second-year leap from the 6'8" wing rather than major in-season improvements,” Swartz wrote, “especially given his limited offensive role alongside Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, De'Andre Hunter and others.”

Bogdanovic and Hunter have both missed time, which skews their minutes played on a per-game basis.

Risacher is also not alone in his shooting woes.

Zaccharie Risacher's shooting last piece of puzzle for rookie

Bogdanovic has not been his typically reliable self from deep. Trae Young is in one of his down-shooting seasons. Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson also remain inconsistent from long distance.

This is a disappointing development on a team with an offensive scheme implemented by head coach Quin Snyder and that has such a legendary shooter like Kyler Korver as assistant GM.

The Hawks have to hope they snap out of it as a team, taking pressure off Risacher.

Risacher really does do a lot of things well. And his shooting woes would not be so glaring if not for the similar struggles of his teammates. Still, to who much is given, much is expected. And as the No. 1 pick of any draft, the spotlight will always be that much brighter.

Fortunately for the Hawks and Risacher, the rookie has taken the right approach and has the full support of his head coach and teammates.