With the 2024 NBA Draft fast approaching, fans are running out of time to place their bets on who'll be selected first overall. French international Alex Sarr had been the favorite for a while, but the tide has shifted.
Following recent reports about the Atlanta Hawks' plans with the first pick, fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher is the new betting favorite, via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Risacher's odds of going first are now at -125, with Sarr at +115 and UConn's Donovan Clingan at +430.
The 19-year-old forward averaged 10.1 points on 43.9% shooting with 3.8 rebounds across 22 minutes per game for Mincidelice JL Bourg of the French league this past season. He also averaged 13.1 points on 56.6% shooting across 17 EuroCup games.
The 6-foot-8 Risacher has shot up draft boards due in large part to his size, as he'll immediately contribute as a floor-spacing wing.
How likely is Risacher to get picked first over his peers?
Risacher is promising, but he's not a shoo-in to get taken first in the NBA Draft
While Clingan and Sarr are also quality front-court options, Risacher has stood out in particular due to his mobility on the perimeter, via Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.
“Risacher's NBA role will be similar to the one he plays for JL Bourg,” Wasserman explained in his scouting report. “He'll spend the majority of his half-court possessions spotting up from the wing or running off the ball to get open for movement-shooting opportunities. At least in the short term, he won't be receiving many ball screens. Expect almost all of his offense to come off transition, catch-and-shoot looks and straight-line slashes. He'll be in a similar role as Harrison Barnes, a big shotmaking wing and complementary scorer.”
If Wasserman's prediction comes true, Risacher producing at a Harrison Barnes level out of the gate would be a welcome development for a Hawks team starving for front-court production. Outside of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, the team has no top-shelf talent.
Most outlets are now mocking Risacher as first overall to Atlanta. A trade-down is possible, but not necessarily likely, via CBS Sports' Adam Finkelstein.
“There's some growing speculation that the Hawks could be trending away from Sarr with Risacher, Clingan and [Kentucky's Reed] Sheppard being among the players they are reportedly interested in,” Finkelstein said. “A trade down would be ideal, but that isn't entirely their call. Risacher recently worked out for Atlanta and San Antonio and so a swap isn't out of the realm of possibility. In this scenario though, we're planning as if Atlanta is taking Risacher straight-up to add some wing size and floor-spacing.”
Even if Atlanta does trade down, though, the trade partner could be looking to move up for Risacher. In that case, Vegas would come out looking smart.
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