(04-19-2026, 05:58 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: And I would still take him if all it takes is matching salary. Terrible 1st overall pick. Not necessarly a bad NBA player if he isn't asked to do things that you expect from a top pick.
2024 class was so bad that a good 3&D prospect from europe ended up as the top pick. Not sure if his ego after being drafted first allows him to take a step back and focus on the stuff that he can actually do but that's how he could potentially save his career.
Just ignore the entire top pick narrative for a second. He just turned 21. Could basically be a sophomore or junior in this years draft class. He has proven that he can be an above average catch and shoot option on relatively high volume in the NBA (that's probably a more reliable data point than college percentages). Has shown the quickness and length to at least not be exploited on defense against NBA level competition.
With that in mind and obviously aware that his contract isn't the usual mid/late first round rookie deal. Where would he rank compared to this years draft class?
I think most would agree that this has been a wasted year for Rishacher. He lost confidence and the Hawks are pretty deep and trying to win so he didn't get a long rope this year. He certainly did not take advantage of the opportunities this year. I think most Hawks fans hopes the offseason and time helps him and he comes back with more confidence next year.
My question is where his minutes will come from. I guess minutes could open up if they let Kuminga go, but they probably would keep him around for another year, right? Then they are going to have a top 10 pick which looks to be a guard or a wing. There are not a lot of minutes there for Rishacher to develop and get his confidence back.
Probably won't happen this summer, but if he doesn't get on the right path soon, I would guess he is moved by the trade deadline or the following offseason. I think he would have a pretty good market. Not a lottery pick but I would think some would bet on a rebound.
I do think if Davis did not get injured the Hawks would have eventually offered the Risacher, Newell and the Cavs first round pick. I think I would still do that deal. The Wizards deal brought more cap flexibility and some extra second round picks. Midddleton may be better than Risacher. Same for Bagley over Newell. Both are FA though and at least one won't be back. I just think Risacher and Newell are probably depth pieces they eventually move on from...unless one jumps pretty fast.