Hawks' Controversial Zaccharie Risacher Trade Is Looking Better Already

The Atlanta Hawks surprised some people by trading former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher this summer. If his preseason performance with the Dallas Mavericks is any indication, they made the right call.

It feels a bit crass to even discuss. Since Risacher entered the NBA, he's been the subject of relentless criticism. It's a bit unfortunate to pile on.

Yet, it's an inevitable product of discussing basketball. The Hawks picked a player with the first overall pick and moved him two summers later. The question of whether they made a mistake is unavoidable.

And it doesn't seem like they did.

Yes, it's only preseason. That said, this is the time when a guy like Risacher is supposed to shine.

That's not what's happened so far. Through three games, Risacher is averaging 10.3 points per game. He's shooting a putrid 18.8% from 3-point range, and he's got a minus-5.5 plus/minus. Otherwise, his stats are unexceptional in just about every area.

No, Risacher will not shoot 18.8% from 3-point range throughout the season. Unfortunately, that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Risacher still looks unable to beat opponents off the dribble. He doesn't have a consistent way to score in the half court. Risacher remains a solid defender, but that's not enough to compensate for his general lack of offensive ability.

So why would the Hawks regret trading him?

If anything, they should regret drafting him.

Luguentz Dort is an outstanding NBA role player. He's one of the league's best perimeter defenders, and his offense has steadily improved. That said, he's not someone you hope to trade a recent No. 1 pick for.

What's done is done. Risacher is a Maverick, and Dort is a Hawk. Given how poorly Risacher's career has gone, Dort was about as good as they were going to do once they put him on the trade block.

Nobody should dismiss the possibility that Risacher will improve. He's still just 21. He has the physical tools to be a 3-and-D role player for a long time if nothing else.

Dort is a premier 3-and-D wing as we speak. The Hawks mortgaged a seemingly small part of their future to bolster their present.

Given how talented their roster is, and how many future assets they have, it was a defensible decision.

Even if it's a bit uncomfortable to admit it.