ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Atlanta Hawks signed head coach Quin Snyder to a multiyear contract extension on June 8.
Snyder led Atlanta to a 20-6 record after the 2026 All-Star break. He made a crucial change to the starting lineup, replacing Zaccharie Risacher with CJ McCollum. However, Risacher's role shrank more and more until he fell out of the rotation completely. While the Hawks are confident in Snyder's role moving forward, his extension only raises more questions surrounding the No. 1 pick's future.
The Atlanta Hawks and head coach Quin Snyder have agreed to a multiyear contract extension, sources tell ESPN. This marks consecutive extensions for Hawks leadership of Snyder and President Onsi Saleh to solidify organizational continuity for team ownership. pic.twitter.com/bZxMCRtedN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 8, 2026
Snyder went away from Risacher as the season progressed
Risacher entered this season as the Hawks' opening night starting small forward. He remained a steady presence in the starting five until Feb. 9, when McCollum started his first game for Atlanta. The Hawks never looked back after this move, but it started a trend for Risacher that only worsened as the campaign progressed.
Snyder played Risacher over 22.8 minutes per game from October to February. However, his role and playing time plummeted over the season's final two months. The 21-year-old averaged 19.1 minutes in March and 15.2 in April. This number shrank even further in the postseason, as he played only 7.7 minutes per game.
Risacher saw two minutes in Game 1 against the New York Knicks. He never played any competitive minutes after this short stint. Snyder controversially replaced him with veteran Corey Kispert, who averaged just 2.2 points in the series and shot a shocking 8.3% from beyond the arc. Risacher barely got any chance to experience postseason basketball to aid in his development.
Nothing between now and the start of next season indicates Risacher returning to a big role. In fact, Atlanta could add two more players to the mix with the No. 8 and No. 23 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Snyder's reluctance to play Risacher and the threat of more young prospects joining the roster make the forward's future in Atlanta murky, at best.
Hawks must make $17.4 million decision with Risacher in coming months
Risacher is set to make $13.8 million for the 2026-27 campaign. However, his contract is not guaranteed for 2027-28. The Hawks hold a $17.4 million team option in Risacher's fourth and final rookie contract campaign. They must accept or decline it by Oct. 31, 2026, and Snyder's extension could impact their decision.
Snyder and Onsi Saleh must determine Risacher's long-term future with the team over the next four months. If he remains out of the rotation, it makes little sense for Atlanta to add $17.4 million to its cap sheet. As a result, Saleh could explore Risacher's trade market this summer to recoup value, rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency next summer.
Could Atlanta re-sign Risacher as a restricted free agent in 2027? It is possible but not probable. If the Hawks decline the option, it signals to him and his camp that he is no longer featured in the organization's long-term plans. He would likely sign with a team that could prioritize his development and give him a bigger, consistent role.
Snyder's extension gives the Hawks a sense consistency going forward, but it gives Risacher just the opposite.
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