The Atlanta Hawks switched starting centers four games ago, moving Clint Capela to the bench for the long-awaited ascension of Onyeka Okongwu. They are 0-4 since that move. And yet, there is an even more impactful lineup decision the Hawks must address.
Zaccarie Risacher has not neccessarily played poorly when healthy, even as his three-point shot has not connected with the efficiency hoped for.
However, he has negatively impacted the Hawks.
Zaccharie Risacher's rookie woes hurting Hawks
The Hawks’ new starting lineup of Okongwu, Risacher, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Trae Young has a minus-34 net efficiency differential, per Cleaning The Glass. The glaring caveat is that they have played just 37 possessions together due to injuries.
Replacing Okongwu with Capela boosts that rating to plus-0.2, a modest number in its own right that stands as a significant improvement for the Hawks.
They have a plus-9.2 mark when replacing Risacher in the starting lineup with any other player.
The Hawks’ differential is plus-8.8 when De’Andre Hunter – who started the first two games of the season but has been a Sixth Man of the Year candidate of the bench since returning from a 13-game absence – replaces Risacher. That rises to plus-13.3 when Capela replaces Okongwu.
Most of those combinations have more than 200 possessions together, so they are not all as inconclusive as their new-look starting group.
Risacher has missed the past six games with an adductor strain.
He is listed as questionable for the Hawks’ matchup against the Timberwolves. As the season starts to slip, the Hawks must ask themselves if they are doing what is best for themselves and Risacher.
The rookie has not spoken as though he has lost confidence, nor have such concerns been raised by those around the team.
However, he has connected on multiple triples 11 times in 39 appearances.
Risacher has failed to connect on a single three-pointer 16 times. He has attempted two or fewer triples eight times this season. The numbers are not working in Risacher’s favor, which is not unexpected for a rookie.
His defense has been invaluable, and his IQ has been better than one could hope for. But the production is what it is, which is disappointing to this point.
Trae Young’s future looms large ahead of 2025 trade deadline
As the Hawks examine their lineup decisions, they have to factor in Trae Young’s future. He has not rocked the boat and has even made tremendous strides in the court of public opinion. But Young, who is out tonight with hamstring tightness, made it clear that he is ready to win as soon as possible.
The Hawks have flashed signs of the team they can be.
As with most young groups, though, they lack the experience and cohesion to sustain it as needed throughout an 82-game season.
Young is still only 26 years old. But he has a player option for the 2026-27 season that functionally makes his five-year, $215.1 million contract a four-year pact. That adds urgency to the Hawks picking a lane and leaning into it.
The Hawks have a tough stretch of games that will take them to and through the trade deadline.
Young’s personal desires to be more competitive combined with the financial aspect could leave the Hawks in an untenable situation if nothing is done either way on February 6.
What happened to the Hawks’ 3-ball?
In terms of efficiency and volume, the Hawks are mired in their worst three-point shooting season since 2022-23 when Nate McMillan was fired and Quin Snyder took his place as head coach with Joe Prunty acting as the interim for two games.
They ranked 28th in attempts and 21st in efficiency that season. This season, the Hawks rank 14th in attempts and 21st in efficiency.
The Hawks ranked seventh in volume and 17th in efficiency in 2023-24.
While it is undeniable they have found other ways to score, their offensive rating ranks 21st, the lowest it has been since the 2019-20 season. There is a clear deficiency that, while injuries may have played a part, is an ominous issue.
Will Bogdan Bogdanovic regain his stride? What about Young, who is having one of his typical down seasons shooting the deep ball at 34.5%? Will Risacher find his range consistently?
These questions and more must be answered before the trade deadline.
Otherwise, the Hawks will have to wait until the offseason to make any decisions. And while that offers them more flexibility, it does the same for other teams, changing the landscape of the market significantly.