The Hawks won the draft lottery a couple weeks ago, jumping all the way up from No. 10 in the pre-lottery order to No. 1.
Atlanta is “increasingly expected” to select either Alexandre Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher with the top overall pick, according to veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein (Substack link).
Both French prospects turned 19 years old last month, but they took different professional pathways in 2023/24. Big man Sarr played for the Perth Wildcats of Australia’s National Basketball League, while 3-and-D forward Risacher has been playing for JL Bourg in France’s top basketball league, LNB Élite (previously known as LNB Pro A).
Risacher is No. 1 on ESPN’s best available list, while Sarr is No. 2.
It may not occur before the draft gets underway on June 26, but Stein continues to hear the Hawks are interested in adding a “seasoned personnel executive” to their front office, which is led by GM Landry Fields.
Here’s more from Stein’s latest article:
- Warriors point guard Chris Paul‘s $30MM salary for 2024/25 is non-guaranteed. Sources tell Stein Golden State is currently weighing its options on what to do with Paul. One choice would be pushing back his June 28 early salary guarantee date into July, but that would require Paul’s consent, which isn’t a given. If both sides agree, that would give the Warriors more time to explore trades, Stein adds.
- If Paul hits the open market as a free agent, the Spurs and Lakers “keep coming up as potential suitors” for the future Hall-of-Famer, Stein reports. As Stein writes, Paul is close with Lakers superstar LeBron James and his family lives in Los Angeles, so there are obvious connections to the team and area.
- Could the Lakers‘ slow-moving head coaching search be accelerated by the Cavaliers‘ recent firing of J.B. Bickerstaff? Stein explores that question, writing that L.A. may face some competition for candidates like Kenny Atkinson and James Borrego, as previously reported. Celtics assistant Sam Cassell, one of the “initial leading targets” in L.A.’s search, is another name to watch for the Cavs, according to Stein.
- Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe is viewed as the frontrunner to land the full-time job in Washington, per Stein. That echoes previous reporting from The Athletic.
For Chris Paul
One choice would be pushing back his June 28 early salary guarantee date into July 20.
IMO
Promise to give him 1 year $15 million contract on July 20.
Salary Cap $141 million
Lakers current salary $179 million
Add Chris Paul = $194 million (rules not allow)
How about other free agents?
If he goes to LA it’s likely for the minimum….
CP3 will be vet min to MLE. If the Warriors trade him and that contract is guaranteed I’d be shocked. Like you would have to attach a lot of picks or taking back garbage like Ben Simmons.
They have to guarantee at least some of that contract for him to be traded
the only thing warriors can get back for CPO3 is another bad contract. i just don’t see it happening because most teams know they can get him for probably $15 million so why pay $30.
Hawks should completely teardown, keep just youngsters.
They won’t though
More than likely he gets waived and ends up on a team like the Lakers but just for thought.
Wonder if they’d reverse the Poole trade?
Obviously at the time it was about GSW giving up on the two time line idea and going all in on wanting to win. As for the Wizards it was poring Poole with Kuzma and Tyus Jones and they had a feeling like they could do something with that younger group.
However a year on, GSW wasn’t overly competitive and the Wizards were one of the worst teams last season. So if they were to make the deal now GSW would be going younger and adding back someone they know was impactful and helped them win. As for the Wizards they would get getting out of Pooles contract and instead get a nice expiring deal of a vet to help them in their rebuild.
GSW can let Klay leave in FA and have a replacement in Poole which lines up well with Kuminga’s time line. Washington can let Jones leaves in FA with CP3 able to run the point. So it theory it actually frees up money for both teams.
GSW then trade Wiggins for Bruce Brown
Curry Poole Kuminga Green *sign a Centre in FA*
GP2 Podzi Brown TJD Looney
With Klay walking you save cap/tax money
Doubt it happens but interesting idea
Bruce Brown has a PO. He can’t get traded.
Opt in and get traded
They got rid of Poole for only 1 reason to shed payroll knowing CP3 contract expires so no way they trade back for poole.
That’s part of the reason but it was also to try be more competitive and win.
Now they could trade back, Poole for CP and let Klay walk instead to free up money.
Basically the exact same as letting CP walk and retaining Klay, money wise.
klay is not being offered a big contract. Poole is a bad contract and one that warriors do not want back.
Umm…Poole’s contract doesn’t expire for another 3 seasons. What time line are you talking about. The guy is to much of a headcase. The Dubs biggest problem last season was defense and Poole can’t play defense. Why would they want him back.
Another thought.
CP3 brought out/waived and then finally gets to go to the Lakers and play with his mate LeBron James. Which means they no longer really need Dlo, who was rumoured to be a target for the Magic if he hits FA. What about a trade tho if he doesn’t hit the market, Dlo for Wendell Carter works. And Wendell still hasn’t owned that centre spot and it’s been years now, Goga and Mo dropped him from the rotation at times this year.
Lakers then line up
CP3 Reaves LeBron AD CarterJr
Rui Vando and Wood off the bench
Just need some back up gurda as I don’t have faith in Vincent, JHS and Reddish if he returns. Christie looked alright but not sure if he’s their guy if they want to make a playoff run…
Carter can’t beat out Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner, but LeBron would want him in his starting lineup?
At this stage in their careers, AD is a 5, LeBron is a 4, Paul is a backup, and Wood is unplayable.
Sorry, but the Lakers are toast.
Wood is actually a decent stretch 4/5 it’s just Darvin Hamm was a bad coach and didn’t know how to use him.
And I do kinda agree AD and the 5 and Bron at the 4 but I think at times they could’ve done with 2 bigs. Carter Jr last season shot 37% from 3 and is a good FT shooter for a big. He can play the 4 aswell. He’s had mutiple seasons averaging 15 points per game and a season averting 10 rebounds all while playing roughly 25 minutes per night.
CP3 usually gets the best out of a centre with his playmaking ability, as does LeBron.
Even if you wanted to use him as a back up you could and have either Rui or Vando start depending on the match ups but he’d be a really solid role player to add I think.
Think if you needed more shooting/scoring you’d play Rui, wanted a better on ball defender then have Vando and if you wanted to play bigger and protect the rim/win the rebounding battle you’d play Wendell.
Have to look at the TWolves, they have an old pass first point guard in Conley, who is similar to CP. Then they play 2 bigs, which the Lakers could copy with AD and Wendell.
I don’t know I just think at a minimum he’d be a solid role player to add
Hawks need to blow it up and rebuild…
CP3 on the Spurs wouldn’t be great for either team… As the Spurs need a PG to pair with Wemby long term…
The Lakers… Well it’d be funny to see them sign and trade Dlo but otherwise it’ll be a vet minimum after he’s waved…
I got the latest … Hawks suck !!
That’s why they won lottery. NBA knows what it wants. Now trade Young to Lakers.
I would normally call the rigged lottery conspiracy incredibly dumb but after Wemby to the Spurs, Pistons being rewarded then punished for tanking, and the Raptors having to pay up…. NBA forcing the Hawks to do something doesn’t sound crazy to me
Chris the Sixers are in your future.