2024 NBA Draft: 4 Options for the Hawks after landing the No. 1 pick

The Atlanta Hawks were blessed with the gift of choice.

After the 2024 Draft Lottery saw the ping-pong balls fall in their favor, the Hawks have options on how they would like to proceed. 

They could stay put at No. 1 and take whomever they feel is worthy of being the first player off the board. The Hawks could trade that pick in hopes of adding a third star-level player to a group that already includes two All-Stars in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

Atlanta could also look to move one of their stars and reset with said top pick.

Let’s explore each of those options and how they could turn out in an ideal scenario for the Hawks.

Option #1: Hawks stay put at No. 1, take best player available

There will be many opinions about what the Hawks should do and who they should take at No. 1 if they hold on to the pick. Further complicating matters is the lack of an apparent superstar talent teams would typically covet in this situation.

However, a few names are rising above the rest, even if they haven’t separated themselves from one another.

French big man Alexandre Sarr is favored to be the pick, at least if they keep it.

“SHADES OF Jaren Jackson Jr., Jonathan Isaac,” wrote The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor. “Skyscraping wing trapped in a center's body, with a rare blend of size, finesse, and explosiveness.”

Sarr is undersized to play center right away at 6-foot-11 and 217 pounds. But his frame and skill set already have support among the fanbase as a potential replacement for Clint Capela.

While he needs refinement, Sarr could be the safest bet in a star-crossed draft class.

He wouldn’t have to man the pivot right away, even if the Hawks moved Capela after making the pick. Former No. 6 overall pick (2020) Onyeka Okongwu had internal support as a potential starter were it not for Capela. 

And 2023 second-round pick Mo Gueye flashed last season, though he was even slighter of frame than Sarr coming in.

There are others to keep an eye on.

Sarr’s countryman Zaccherie Risacher, Serbian guard Nikola Topic, UConn’s Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle, and Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard. There are four guards in that group, perhaps giving Clingan, Risacher, and Sarr the leg up.

Option #2 - Trading the No. 1 pick

There are several reasons the Hawks should explore moving off the No. 1 overall pick, not the least of which being the overwhelming sentiments about this crop of prospects. It’s not that there isn’t any talent. 

The issue is none of them have proven elite, a tedious proposition for any executive making the decision.

That could leave the Hawks locked into their slot.

But they only need one team to feel strongly enough about Sarr or any other prospect to risk future assets for a move up. And if a team is willing to offer up any significant package for the pick, the Hawks should listen.

Teams that could have players and a disposition appealing to this scenario include the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards.

There is nothing linking any of these teams to a trade for the No. 1 pick or prospect in that slot.

However, they are all dealing with pricey veterans who could use a new home and have a need to inject some excitement back into their fanbases. This route would also satiate either All-Star guard in the event they remain with the Hawks.

It also feels like the most unlikely outcome, at least on its own.

Fortunately for the Hawks, this far from the end of their list of options in what figures to be a pivotal offseason.

Option #3 - Package No. 1 pick with pricey veteran

The Hawks could look to offload one of their pricey veteran role players in hopes of finding more bang for their buck. They have several players on large enough contracts whose production, while valued, wouldn’t preclude them from being included in a deal.

And coming off their first missed postseason in four seasons, the list of players who could be available should be substantial.

At the top are Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and De’Andre Hunter.

Capela is an expiring contract, going into the final year of a two-year, $45.8 million contract extension. He made the fourth-most appearances of his career last season. But he also shot his second-lowest clip at 57.1% from the floor.

Rumors have linked him to the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and New Orleans Pelicans in recent months.

Bogdanovic is going into Year 2 of a four-year, $68 million pact. 

He set new career highs averaging 16.9 points across 79 appearances after a stellar performance in the 2023 FIBA  World Cup. Bogdanovic also received his extension from this front office and could be the safest of the group.

The Hawks had the most talks about Hunter, according to reports, with the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors among the teams named in the rumor mill.

Hunter is going into Year 2 of a four-year, $90 million contract.

Okongwu could also be a candidate as he begins his four-year, $61.9 million contract this coming season. But like Bogdanovic, Okongwu received his new money from the current front office.

Option #4 - Pushing the red button

The final option has also been the most popular since even before the Hawks secured the top pick. Many around the league – and even some within the organization – expect the Hawks to at least explore splitting up Murray and Young again.

They had several conversations with prospective teams – including the Los Angeles Lakers about Murray and the San Antonio Spurs about Young – before the trade deadline.

Nothing came to fruition and their season ended much as it began.

The Hawks were expected to come away with a sizeable return before. Adding in the No. 1 overall pick, even in a weak draft class, should boost the value of their offer substantially. The question is, who should they target?

Among the top names that could be on the trade block are Pelicans star Brandon Ingram and Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine, though that would be an overpay for the Hawks. 

The Hawks could also call the Phoenix Suns and see if Kevin Durant is available after all. 

Brooklyn Nets star Mikal Bridges could be an option, though it would be even better if the Hawks could also land Cam Johnson in such a move. There were also murmurs the Rockets were looking to move former No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green, though he finished the year strong.

Like the draft class, the options aren’t worth the Hawks’ making such a move on the surface. It would have to be something they feel strongly about.

Otherwise, Options Nos. 1 through 3 are all better bets and more logical.