Hawks News: Who Experts Expect Team to Select With No. 1 Pick

The Atlanta Hawks' offseason plans significantly changed on Sunday.

The Hawks won the NBA draft lottery with three percent odds, and in turn, they have the opportunity to land a franchise-altering player to partner Trae Young.

The majority of post-lottery mock drafts have Frenchman Alex Sarr heading to Atlanta, but there are six weeks available for the Hawks to analyze every top prospect.

Sarr's countryman Zaccharie Risacher and the Kentucky pair of Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham should be heavily evaluated by the Hawks staff as well.

Alex Sarr

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 10: Alex Sarr of the Wildcats controls the ball against against Josh Roberts of the Taipans during the round 19 NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena, on February 10, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Sarr seems like the most obvious pick to boost Atlanta's current roster.

The 7'1" Frenchman can improve the team's defense and he can replace Clint Capela as the team's starting center.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman broke down the fit between Sarr and the Hawks.

"With Clint Capela entering the final year of his deal, there would be a clear pathway to the starting 5 spot for the 7'1", 19-year-old who blocks shots and switches effortlessly around the perimeter."

Sarr's offensive skills need work. That could be the counter argument to him being the No. 1 pick.

However, there is no all-around superstar in the draft class, like there was in 2023 with Victor Wembanyama.

Sarr's play on the offensive end can be refined in the NBA and it won't hurt to have Trae Young and Dejounte Murray passing the ball to him in the paint.

Zaccharie Risacher

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PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 28: Zaccharie Risacher of Bourg en Bresse Basket takes a jump shoot during the Betclic Elite match between Paris and Bourg en Bresse Basket at Adidas Arena on April 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

If Sarr is not the pick, Risacher would be a solid option for the Hawks.

Risacher projects to be a Three-And-D player in whichever lineup he enters.

Wasserman broke down Risacher's game more in his latest mock draft, where he has the Frenchman landing with the Washington Wizards at No. 2.

"He should be interchangeable between the 2 and 3 spots, particularly if he's able to start showing more of the ball-handling and creation we saw when he was playing in France's U21 league a year ago."

The problem with Risacher is that he brings more of the same to the Hawks lineup instead of something different like Sarr.

The Hawks already have Bogdan Bogdanovic, Jalen Johnson and De'Andre Hunter in the supporting cast. Young and Murray are also going to take a high volume of shots, so Risacher may not have an immediate spot in the starting lineup.

Reed Sheppard

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Reed Sheppard falls into the same category as Risacher from the Hawks' view point.

The Kentucky product could be an upgrade to the team's three-point shooting, but that is not Atlanta's primary need.

The Hawks have an opportunity to land a big man in Sarr who can partner Young for the next few years. That is the foundation Atlanta can build around to get back into the postseason.

Sheppard would be considered for the top pick only if the Hawks find some red flags with Sarr over the next six weeks.

Sheppard was one of the best three-point shooters at the collegiate level last season and he could allow Young or Murray to facilitate a bit more.