Fortune has looked favorably upon the Atlanta Hawks in each of the last two NBA Draft lotteries. After having landed the top overall pick last year that allowed the team to acquire Zaccharie Risacher, this year the Hawks will have the Kings pick at 13 as well as the 22nd overall pick in Wednesday's draft. Steak Shapiro and Beau Morgan talked on The Steakhouse about what may lay in store.
As has become an annual tradition around this time of year, speculation of a trade involving Hawks star Trae Young is circulating in some circles. But it seems far more unlikely than in years past, especially given the reporting in recent weeks that the Hawks denied the Knicks permission to speak to Head Coach Quin Snyder - perhaps signaling an intention from new President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh to maintain continuity on the roster and use Wednesday's two picks to build depth.
And looking around the league, it feels like the Hawks could truly ascend up the Eastern Conference in the 2025-26 season, given stars like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are likely to miss the entire seasons for the Celtics and Pacers, respectively. The Hawks could potentially add a rotational ball-handling guard and another big body to bang in the paint in this draft to supplement a roster that showed life at times last season.
Two first-round talents to support a star in Young plus the ascending Risacher, things could be looking up for the Hawks next season and a return to the playoffs.