As expected, the Hawks have exercised their 2026/27 rookie scale team option on second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher, ensuring 2024’s No. 1 overall pick will earn $13,826,040 next season.
Risacher got off to a slow start during his rookie season in ’24/25, averaging 10.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in his first 38 NBA games (23.6 minutes contest), with a shooting line of just .400/.283/.707.
However, the French wing was far more efficient from that point on, averaging 14.9 PPG and 3.6 RPG on .518/.418/.717 shooting over his final 35 games of last season (25.7 MPG).
Risacher, 20, has been slowed by a right ankle sprain this fall that caused him to miss two of Atlanta’s five games. He has averaged 8.7 PPG on .400/.300/.750 shooting in the early going of his second season.
We’re still waiting on a handful of decisions from teams regarding 2026/27 rookie scale team options. Those decisions are due by Friday.
Atlanta made the right choice drafting him at #1.
Buzelis goes #1 in a redraft in hindsight, but picking Risacher was the right move – good job by their FO.
Risacher 20, Newell 20, Gueye 22, Daniels 22, Johnson 23, Okongwu 24, Krejci 25. Plus next year’s pick, which is projected to be very high. And KP, who is the oldest on the team, but far from ancient at 30.
Johnson + next year’s pick + possibly Risacher – that’s your future.
Play your cards right and don’t give Trae a big contract. Trade him away or even let him go if he’s seeking a max, or give him an extension that’s below what Johnson is making if he wants to stay.
Trae is not a 30% max guy.