Despite having lost their last three games in a row and six of their last 10 contests overall, the Hawks have been making a push to develop their young perimeter players with a play-in tournament berth already assured, writes Jake Fischer for Hawks.com.
No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher in particular has been taking positive strides as the season has transitioned into its home stretch. Accordingly, he has been named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for two months running.
“(Trae Young is) more comfortable and aggressive throwing the ball ahead and seeing those guys attack the rim in transition,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said.
“The floor’s more open,” Young agreed. “And that causes my defender to make a decision whether to help or stay with me.”
The growth of 23-year-old forward Jalen Johnson, prior to his season-ending shoulder injury, and 22-year-old guard Dyson Daniels, a strong All-Defensive Team candidate, also gives the team major hope for the future.
“We think we can propel this team to a championship one day,” Daniels said. “The more we play together, the more chemistry we develop, the more experience we get, the more games we’re going to win.”
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Another Rookie of the Year candidate, Wizards big man Alex Sarr, has been showing plenty of promise as Washington’s lottery-bound 2024/25 season has wound down, writes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The 19-year-old, selected with the No. 2 pick last summer, has been taking particular pride in his recent play on defense. “I love that he celebrated a defensive play,” coach Brian Keefe said, referring to a key block in a late-game situation in March. “It wasn’t just an offensive play. That’s winning stuff. That’s a winning play he made. If he wanted to be excited about that, that’s great, because we want him to anchor our defense.” Sarr’s shooting from distance has come and gone this season, but he has been enjoying consistent minutes, which he appreciates. “Being able to have freedom helps you develop as a player,” Sarr told Robbins, “knowing the things maybe you shouldn’t do, the things you have to work on.”
- Former All-Star wing Khris Middleton, just two months into his Wizards tenure, has become a stabilizing veteran presence. According to Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network (subscriber link), Middleton already leads Washington in taking charges. The 33-year-old veteran’s willingness to put his body on the line has inspired his young teammates, Hughes opines.
- In case you missed it, veteran Heat wing Andrew Wiggins is hoping to be back before Miami’s regular season ends, although there is no set timeline yet for his return from his right hamstring tendinopathy.
It’s extremely important to our future that Sacramento makes the play-in. Losing out on their mid-1st rd pick would sting. Bright side it looks very likely that they will make it, especially if KD stays out. Adding the 14 & 24 picks to this bright young roster should be a really nice look, especially considering how well this front office has drafted so far.
And while it’s natural to focus on our young wings Jalen, Dice & Zacch, it must be remembered we have great young talent all over our roster. Onyeka is even better than Clint was. He can be definitely be an all-star just like our young wings can (JJ definitely will). We also got promising youngsters like Vit, Mo Gueye & to a slightly lesser extent Barlow. Mo Gueye is proving that he belongs in a rotation & he’s only getting better as he gets more experience. Gueye’s physical/athletic gifts fit our team so well & he’s got a nice looking shot as well, especially from the corner. Vit is a really valuable swiss army knife wing that we have on a great contract too. It would be perfect if Vit could have filled our backup pg spot but he may be more ready for that role next season. He’ll def have comp tho bc we have yet another talented young guy in Kobe Bufkin who’ll be returning from a season-long hand injury. Bufkin, like Gueye, fits our theme of long/active/athletic/daring perimeter defenders. But like Vit he hasn’t really shown a consistent ability to be the lead guard on an efficient 2nd unit offensively.
Overall the team is set up well no doubt. I will always look forward to the day we trade Trae but it’s looking like the only way that happens is if he asks for a trade. Until then he’ll continue to be the best pg in the East & the face of the franchise. As far as Caris if he has a good postseason I would love us to bring him back on a 2yr contract & the exact same is true for Quin Snyder. If Caris doesn’t produce (we need him & Zacch around 15-20/gm) then we should spend that $ elsewhere. And if we look bad & get swept or something then Quin should be out & we should go get Kelvin Sampson like I said 2/3yrs ago.. link to m.youtube.com
Alex Sarr is shooting under 40% from the field, as a big man! SMH This has to be worst shooting percentage season of any big man ever selected with a top 3 pick.