Wizards could be potential draft night trade partner for Hawks

Despite most declaring there’s no consensus top prospect in this year’s class, everyone has the Hawks taking Alex Sarr in their mock drafts.

However, according to Jonathan Giovany, NBA execs don’t have a “firm grasp of what the Hawks might ultimately do, as word coming out of their front office is they are still at a very early stage of decision-making and have plenty of work to do in gathering information and finding alignment.”

The Hawks should certainly complete their due diligence, which includes potentially trading down in the draft or trading the No. 1 pick for a player. As of right now, it seems Sarr is the favorite to be the pick if the Hawks make it.

However, the team’s brass — Landry Fields, Kyle Korver, and Quin Snyder — took in Zaccharie Risacher’s playoff game. Atlanta isn’t leaving a single stone unturned, nor should they. As currently constructed, the Hawks roster needs favor Risacher over Sarr, but Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Donovan Clingan is also in play for Atlanta.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor described Risacher as ‘shades of Michael Porter Jr.’ with strengths as a knockdown shooter, a solid ball handler for his size, a quick decision maker as a passer, and a lengthy defender while struggling to score at the rim. The Hawks could use that.

Jeremy Woo added to Giovany that the Wizards are expected to select Sarr or Risacher, whoever is left after the Hawks pick. Washington currently holds the No. 2 overall pick, and if they’ve got conviction, there’s a possibility that Atlanta can trade down and collect some more draft capital.