Every team would like to have a shot at a top pick in this year's draft. It's a stacked group, and could be one of the most elite in a long time. It hurt when the Hawks didn't take their anticipated leap on lottery night, but now they sit at the eighth pick with a world of options. One of those options includes trading up.
There's always the possibility of moving up. Not just from a Hawks perspective, but around the league. In a draft like this, everyone will be trying to get their hands on one of the top picks. That said, it's incredibly difficult to imagine a reality where Atlanta would part ways with the assets required to get a deal done.
Teams at the top understand that it's time to get greedy
Sustainable success isn't built by giving in to deals that won't heavily benefit parting ways with a top pick. The Washington Wizards, sitting with the first-overall pick, have the most leverage in this upcoming draft cycle.
Many believe the Wizards would at least entertain the possibility of moving down, and according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, there are several teams interested in negotiating a deal. The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly among the group.
"Another team, sources said, interested in holding trade dialogue with the Wizards is the Atlanta Hawks, who own the 8th and 23rd picks in this year's draft. But would the 8th and 23rd picks, as well as future draft picks and Zaccharie Risacher, who the Wizards held strong interest in before Atlanta drafted him first in 2024, be enough? Not many around the league tend to think so."
Would it be worth moving all of those coveted assets for a chance at AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson? Sure, but it would be a major risk. The Hawks have a good thing going right now, but sacrificing much of their future draft capital could be something that comes back to bite them.
It also doesn't align with anything General Manager Onsi Saleh has preached since taking over as the organization's lead decision-maker.
Hawks don't need to take a significant gamble on an unsure reality
The package suggested by Siegel wouldn't get the deal done. They'd likely have to include one of their core players as well, such as a guy like Dyson Daniels. There's no reason to make a major pivot from their already-established core for a guy who would likely slow down the timeline.
It would've been nice if they took a leap on lottery night, but now that they're locked into the eighth spot, they should stay put. Maybe it's a sign that they're more than on the right track.
Now, if they could move into the top-four with just this year's picks and Zaccharie Risacher, by all means. They can't expect this to be the needle-mover, though. A deal would have to come at a major sacrifice.
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