Should the Atlanta Hawks Still Believe in Zaccharie Risacher?

An NBA player doesn’t choose where he’s drafted.

Fans sometimes forget that.

When a No. 1 overall pick fails to meet expectations, the reaction is often visceral. The player becomes the symbol of disappointment, even if the franchise misjudged the evaluation process. A top selection carries enormous weight from day one — fair or not.

That has become the reality for Zaccharie Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks.

He’s tracking toward being one of the least productive No. 1 picks in recent memory. The question now isn’t whether he’s lived up to expectations — it’s whether Hawks fans should still believe in him.

There’s little value in parsing the differences between Risacher’s rookie and sophomore seasons. His first year was underwhelming, and his second hasn’t represented a meaningful leap. In 2025-26, he’s averaging 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists while posting a -3.7 Box Plus/Minus (BPM).

Those aren’t catastrophic numbers — but they’re not what teams hope for from the top pick.

Risacher was selected first overall in a 2024 draft class widely viewed as lacking elite upside. The appeal was clear at the time: a safe 3-and-D wing with size and defensive versatility.

But “safe” only works if the foundational skills are clearly above average.

He’s shooting 35.4% from three-point range for his career. That’s respectable — yet it’s not impactful enough to anchor a profile built around floor spacing. If Risacher is going to justify his draft position as a 3-and-D wing, he needs to be a high-end version of that archetype. Otherwise, the gap between expectation and production will remain glaring.

So is there reason for optimism?

It’s unlikely Risacher develops into a primary offensive engine. That’s not a rash overreaction — his pre-draft profile at JL Bourg-en-Bresse never suggested star-level shot creation. He projected as a complementary piece then, and he looks like one now.

But that doesn’t mean his trajectory is fixed.

Defensively, Risacher has largely delivered. He isn’t elite, but he’s capable. He moves well laterally, competes across multiple positions, and fits within a modern switching scheme. That foundation matters.

The swing skill is obvious: shooting.

If Risacher were converting 38% of his three-point attempts instead of hovering in the mid-30s, the conversation would shift considerably. At that level, his value as a floor spacer would feel tangible. The offensive fit becomes cleaner. The role becomes clearer.

Incremental improvement — not stardom — is the realistic pathway.

Living up to traditional No. 1 pick expectations? That feels improbable. But becoming a strong rotational starter or high-level complementary wing is still attainable.

For the Hawks, this should serve as an evaluation lesson. In a weak draft class, prioritizing “safety” over upside can limit ceiling outcomes. Had Atlanta opted for a more raw, high-variance prospect like Alexandre Sarr, the long-term calculus might look different.

That’s on the front office — not the player.

Risacher didn’t draft himself.

And while he may never justify the weight of being selected first overall, the burden of that decision shouldn’t fall entirely on him.