Spurs, Grizzlies Could Be Potential Draft Night Trade Partner For Hawks No. 1 Overall Pick

There’s no consensus prospect for the Hawks to take with their No. 1 overall pick.

Betting markets say Alex Sarr, the 7-foot Frenchman, will be the first player selected. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer believes it’ll be his fellow countryman, Zaccharie Risacher.

“Risacher seems like the most likely choice at this point for the Hawks,” O’Connor writes

With no clear option, the Hawks may find more value in trading back in an attempt to replenish their draft capital, much of which the Spurs own following the Dejounte Murray trade. There’s a pair of potential trade partners that are looking to move up, according to O’Connor.

“League sources say the Spurs, who have the fourth and eighth picks, could try to package them to move up.”

“League sources say the Grizzlies are looking to trade up in the draft. Could it be for center Donovan Clingan?”

In terms of value, I think trading down to acquire more picks and trading one of Dejounte Murray or Trae Young is ideal. A guy like Reed Sheppard in the 4-8 range would be a great fit for either point guard. He’s not big, but he played much bigger at Kentucky than his height would indicate. He’s a tenacious defender and a microwave scorer that can thrive off the ball. With Trae Young, his on-ball defense and off-ball offense are a perfect fit.

However, the Hawks taking him 1st overall would turn a lot of heads. Trading down would be the path forward for Atlanta to land Reed Sheppard, and the Spurs could be the perfect partner to accomplish that.