Two years and then gone, the Trae Young – Dejounte Murray rear-wheel drive project did not last long with the Hawks. It must be said that the association, whose complementarity raised questions since its assembly, will never have succeeded in taking the Atlanta team to a new level. Worse, the record has continued to take a nosedive, from 43 victories in 2022 to 41 in 2023 then a negative season with 36 victories last season for elimination from the “play-in”. Faced with this implacable observation, leaders had no other choice but to face the facts. Dejounte Murray sent to New Orleans, the Hawks are beginning a transition that is still quite vague.
The only certainty, more than ever, is that the team is that of Trae Young, the only star now on board. The All-Star leader will be able to gorge himself on balls both to score and to create. Around him, the group is at a turning point, between young reinforcements and certain executives already present during the epic conference final in 2021. For Clint Capela, the adventure seems to be getting closer to the end because if the Swiss pivot should be starting at the start, his departure is more relevant than ever as his contract ends at the end of this season. Bogdan Bogdanovic should once again act as second creator.
As for De'Andre Hunter, he could be one of the “victims” of the new wave of Atlanta, as Zaccharie Risacher progresses. The Frenchman is expected with his status as number one in the last draft and arrives in a particular context for a “first pick”, in a team more in renovation than in reconstruction. This new era could allow Jalen Johnson to establish himself even more, he who has been the very nice surprise of recent months with a spectacular statistical progression after two years of being patient.
Behind this 5, former Pelicans Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr or Cody Zeller will compete for minutes, even if only the leader really seems to be part of the Hawks' medium-term project… if it is clearly established.
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: Dominick Barlow (two-way), Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr, Zaccharie Risacher, David Roddy, Keaton Wallace (two-way), Cody Zeller
Departures: Saddiq Bay, Bruno Fernando, Trent Forrest, AJ Griffin, EJ Liddell, Wesley Mathews, Dejounte Murray, Dylan Windler
THE PLAYER TO FOLLOW: ZACCHARIE RISACHER
It is not falling into chauvinism to highlight Zaccharie Risacher, in many respects. Any number one in Draft, even if the 2024 vintage is not as exciting as the previous ones, is necessarily followed with great attention. But while Victor Wembanyama, Paolo Banchero or Cade Cunningham arrived in the NBA with guarantees of having the ball in their hands, the tricolor arrives in Atlanta as a complementary player, at least initially.
Author of a very good end to the season with Bourg, the 19-year-old player does not have the profile of the “go-to-guy” but rather of a complete winger, good shooter, solid defender, without clearly identified strong point , nor crippling weakness at this level. The fact remains that “Zach” is a product far from finished, and with which we will have to be a little patient, even if he seems to learn quickly.
Zacharie Risacher at least falls on a team with a top creator to serve him on good balls in Trae Young. “ He won't need to do much, just hit his open shots and make defensive stops » said the leader in Paul George's podcast. Reductive no doubt, but fairly realistic objectives during his first season.
Average age: 24.5 years
Payroll: $173.3 million (19e)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
At a crossroads, the Hawks could have a successful season no matter which side the coin falls on, as long as it doesn't remain tilting on its edge. A quick return to the playoffs is obviously envisaged in Atlanta, which has its star in Trae Young, an experienced coach in Quin Snyder and interesting young players (Risacher, Johnson, Okongwu, Daniels). A return to a clearer hierarchy, with Young as an absolute priority could free up the Hawks' offensive game a little more, as Quin Snyder was able to impose on Utah around Donovan Mitchell and the duty players. Especially with Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic, even Zaccharie Risacher, the ingredients are there to maintain a prolific attack.
If it never finds its cruising speed, using this season to see things more clearly would not be completely incongruous either. Clint Capela and Larry Nance Jr, possibly Bogdan Bogdanovic, are solid clients for an exchange and recover players with potential or Draft rounds. Even if it means not being competitive, you might as well take the opportunity to give time to Zaccharie Risacher (19 years old), Dyson Daniels (21 years old), Jalen Johnson (23 years old in December) or Onyeka Okongwu (24 years old in December) in order to develop . We will then have to hope for a missed exercise from the Lakers, from which they recovered the 2025 first round without the slightest protection via New Orleans this summer.
THE WORST SCENARIO
Be careful, however, not to “swing too well” this season if it turns into a new disappointment. The Hawks do not have their own first rounder in the next Draft, which will go directly to San Antonio, making the trade around Dejounte Murray a little more frustrating. This will require Trae Young and Jalen Johnson to remain in good shape, after missing 54 games between them last season. Otherwise, the lack of talent depth will be quite glaring at State Farm Arena, despite the willingness to run and attack the opponent in transition.
Atlanta's defensive adjustments will also be decisive after the departure of Dejounte Murray. Even with the neo-Pelican, the Hawks were already among the most permissive rearguards in the league with over 120 points conceded per game. The length of Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher won't hurt to remedy this but both men are still inexperienced and not the thickest physically. Beware of open house operations evening after evening otherwise you risk sinking dangerously into the soft underbelly, and fueling a little more rumors around the future of Trae Young.
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