NBA Insider Marc Stein reported this week that the Atlanta Hawks are "willing to surrender Zaccharie Risacher in the proverbial right scenario," but also notes that "the Hawks do not believe an in-season swing for [Anthony] Davis meets those parameters when it comes to 2024's No. 1 overall pick." If this is true, it represents a massive missed opportunity for this front office.
Moving on from Risacher is probably the right move, but not being willing to take on Anthony Davis is more than a little confusing. Sure, Davis has his injury troubles and he's older at this point, but it's not like he's not still a huge floor-raiser. Adding AD to this Hawks team would put them in a much better place to make a push for the playoffs this season.
If Atlanta wants to move on from Trae Young, and it certainly sounds like they do, pulling off a multi-team deal might be the move. If that's the direction they end up going, Davis would be arguably the best available player they could get.
From a roster standpoint, the fit is obvious. Even with Jalen Johnson's rise to stardom, the Hawks still have need for more interior defense, and AD immediately addresses that. He controls the glass and gives Atlanta a legitimate interior defensive presence it has lacked during Trae Young’s tenure. Even at this stage of his career, Davis still changes the game just by being on the floor.
The Hawks should pursue Anthony Davis
If Atlanta truly believes it's time to move on from Young, then acquiring a proven star becomes even more important. Draft picks and prospects can only take you so far, especially in a market that struggles to attract big name free agents.
Risacher still has some upside, sure. But this team came into the season with the belief it could go deep into the playoffs, and the pressure is on to right the proverbial ship. Making a move for Davis would signal a clear intent to compete this season rather than just hoping you'll figure it out.
Ultimately, this comes down to risk tolerance. Atlanta appears wary of tying its future to an older, injury-prone star. But avoiding risk altogether has its own cost. Considering the Hawks' current situation, standing still could be just as damaging as making the wrong move.
If the Hawks let this opportunity pass, they're going to find themselves wishing they had been more forward-thinking.