Dominique Wilkins deeply ingrains himself in the fabric of the Atlanta Hawks. From player to vice president, the former star has experienced the game from all sides. Moreover, as the advisor of CEO Steve Koonin, Wilkins has an additional duty. The former 9x NBA All-Star is responsible for bringing new talent to the team. However, this power makes the Hawks’ former wingman answerable when his picks fail to perform as per the expectations. But now, with Zaccharie Risacher on the roster, Atlanta could breathe a sigh of relief as the looming dark clouds of inconsistency might finally clear.

With the dilemma of Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, Wilkins & Co. faced a major setback. The duo was a mismatch for the defensive side that cost the team crucial match wins and points. “Sometimes things don’t work out,” Wilkins had said. Both Murray and Young have an option for the 2026-27 season. But, that’s not the point. The main attraction of this season is the French hooper, Zaccharie Risacher. And as it seems, not just Wilkins but all of the Atlanta Hawks have high hopes for their No.1 Draft pick. Many believe Dominique Wilkins personally handpicked the 19-year-old French small forward. Of course, it won’t be a surprise after all, given the responsibilities Wilkins undertakes.

Whatever the future holds, the VP believes patience will be important for the youngster. “He’s young, man. What is this kid, 19?” Wilkins said of Risacher. “He’s skilled, but you got to be able to give him time. Give him time. He’s going to be just fine. Believe me, he’s going to be just fine.” This conviction comes from the rookie’s performance in the NBA Summer League. Debuting with the Washington Wizards, the youngster recorded 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Unfortunately, Zaccharie Risacher’s side lost, but his impact won over Dominique Wilkin & Co.’s hearts.

The Atlanta Hawks are looking to close the loopholes that have affected the team’s performance. Therefore, the introduction of someone like Risacher will play an important role. Meanwhile, the dilemma with Trae Young continues to prick the team like a pointy thorn.

Troubles with Trae Young could undermine Zaccharie Risacher’s game with the Hawks

One crucial point behind Risacher being the Hawks’ No.1 pick this season is his flexibility. The French rising star has the potential to develop into a strong two-way player, excelling both offensively and defensively. Thus making him one of the trump cards of the gameplan. Moreover, the performance expected from Dejounte Murray and Trae Young wasn’t delivered. Atlanta was outscored by 6.0 per 100 possessions this season when both players were on the court together. As you can guess, the reports ain’t so pretty, they’re concerning.

Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus noted that the Hawks should keep Young. “While his (Trae Young) talent is undeniable, not many teams are interested in an expensive, small (6’1″, 164 lbs) point guard who doesn’t defend and needs the ball in his hands to be effective.” Trae’s height has pushed away many potential teams, thus keeping him at the Hawks. Many critics have also pointed out that he is “occupying an important space” in Steve Koonin’s team. Moreover, the repeated disruption of game plans and strategies with no scope for performance maximization needs to stop at some point.

Well as of now seeing the tragic downfall of Young’s evaluation is rather concerning. There are many reasons why Zaccharie Risacher could become the next star for the Hawks. But the crucial one will be his availability in the game. And who knows, maybe the 19-year-old could become as legendary as Wilkins himself! While Trae Young’s future at the Hawks remains kind of unclear, Zaccharie Risacher is on his way to starting his NBA career. He comes with loads of hopes and promises for the team, and Wilkins has complete faith in the rookie. So, we’ve got to wait to see what magic Risacher unfolds on the court.