The big meeting of the Draft is fast approaching. It's in eight days, and it's a particularly anticipated moment in Atlanta, since the Hawks have landed the first pick. This is only the second time in their history.
For owner Tony Ressler's franchise, the decision is not as obvious as last year, when it was certain that the Spurs were going to set their sights on Victor Wembanyama. This year, several players are still competing to compete for this first place, between the “Frenchies” Alexandre Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher, or local prospects, like Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard and UConn center Donovan Clingan.
The pressure is particularly on the shoulders of Landry Fields, the GM of the Hawks, who still has a big week before deciding. For the moment, all options remain open, even if Atlanta would lean more towards keeping its first choice rather than exchanging it for one (or more) player(s) already confirmed.
The ideal position
“We are very enthusiastic about this Draft”, he confided yesterday. “And the more things we discover, the more we say to ourselves that it’s great, that we’re really happy to have the first choice. I keep joking that I won't return it. We are in a very good position. Honestly, I’m very excited.”
Landry Fields took the opportunity to remind that at the end of the reflection process carried out by his camp, he would make the final decision. A choice with serious consequences for the future, given the options that will present themselves and the lack of hierarchy among the best prospects in the running. But the former Knicks player remains confident.
“A week ago, the choice was wider than today. The picture is taking shape, being refined,” he added, with a long-term choice. “We want him to be number 1, a guy who we think will be a plus for us, not just for the next few days, but for the future as well.”
Even if Atlanta announces that it is moving more towards keeping its first choice, all options still remain open, a sign that Landry Fields' decision has still not been made.
“The phone won't stop ringing” continued Landry Fields, about contacts with other franchises. “As a group, we looked at tons of different scenarios. If you decide to keep the choice, you dive back into the Draft. Currently, we are thinking of choosing someone. This is our plan.”
