The first round of the NBA Draft is tomorrow and the Atlanta Hawks hold the No. 1 overall pick. While the NBA world awaits the Hawks decision, it appears as if their selection may have already been made for them. Alex Sarr, one of the top prospects in the NBA Draft, had reportedly turned down workout requests from the Hawks.
During a recent media availability session, Sarr spoke on the rumors that he wouldn't work out for the Hawks as per Baillie Burmaster of Atlanta News First. Sarr seemed to suggest that it was at his agent's behest that he wouldn't conduct a workout for the Hawks.
“I have a great team around me, Bill Duffy and WME, they've already been through all of this,” Sarr said. “I trust them. I'm not going to get into no specifics of where I worked out or where I didn't, but I've been doing my best in my workouts and that's all I can control.”
During the media session, Alex Sarr was asked if he wanted to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, which would mean he would go to the Hawks. Sarr explained that while it's always a player's dream to be drafted No. 1, that sometimes the situation you land in is what is most important.
“For me it's more important to be drafted,” Sarr said. “I think at the end of the day that's what is most important, and you just got to be grateful for that. I think I can impact winning on any team I land at. I'm pretty confident in that. I think my defensive versatility and offensively me being able to play different spots, makes me an impactful player on winning.”
Hawks roster could look very different following the NBA Draft
After two seasons of the Trae Young and Dejounte Murray pairing in the backcourt, the Hawks are reportedly looking to make a change this offseason. Murray has put up numbers on par with his All-Star season with the San Antonio Spurs in 2021-22, but the production hasn't translated to wins on the court.
Depending on if the Hawks decide to move on from either Murray or Young, there's sure to be several interested teams. Both players are All-Star caliber and can help plenty of teams around the league.
But first, the Hawks biggest question of the offseason is who they will select with the No. 1 overall pick. Players refusing to workout for teams doesn't necessarily mean that those teams won't draft them. But if Alex Sarr is really adamant about not going to the Hawks, the team will likely turn their attention to Zaccharie Risacher.
Like Sarr, Risacher spent last season playing professionally. While Sarr played in Australia, Risacher played in France. The last time the Hawks held the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft was in 1975 when they selected David Thompson. A possible reason for Sarr not wanting to go to the Hawks could be because there's a pathway to more playing time and bigger role on the Washington Wizards at No. 2 considering the makeup of both teams' current roster.
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