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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 21: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on December 21, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Atlanta Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Knicks in embarrassing fashion. In Game 6, they were blown out at home in a game that was never close. Now, they have some big decisions to make in the offseason.

One of the decisions they have to make has to do with Zaccharie Risacher. The former number-one overall pick lost his spot in the rotation at the end of the regular season. In the first round against the Knicks. Risacher played just 22 minutes in the entire series. 16 of those were in the final game during garbage time.

According to a recent report, the Hawks might consider trading the former top overall pick.

Atlanta Hawks Could Look to Trade Zaccharie Risacher

According to NBA insider John Hollinger, the Hawks could decide to trade Risacher in the offseason.

“He lost his starting job after the All-Star break and then his spot in the rotation in April. Getting him back on track to at least play rotation minutes should be a key organizational goal, and a trade can’t be ruled out.”

Risacher has not panned out as the Hawks hoped he would so far. His scoring went down in his second year, despite starting the year as a starter. Of course, finding the perfect trade partner might be hard for them based on how the past season went.

Hollinger mentions that the first goal for Atlanta should be to try to keep Risacher and try to get him to play better with the current roster. He still has a lot of talent, and the Hawks likely aren’t willing to totally give up on him. It does seem that his days as a starter are over, though.

Trading Risacher would be an acknowledgement that they totally whiffed on the pick. Whiffing on the number-one overall pick would be a tough pill to swallow for an organization that also had to move away from Trae Young as their franchise player.

Atlanta has to Make Changes in the Offseason

Other than figuring out what to do with Risacher, they also have to decide whether or not to re-sign CJ McCollum. McCollum was the best player for the Hawks in the playoffs. He was the one who they were running the offense through, and he did a good job.

The issue is that McCollum is already 34 years old. Atlanta has to figure out the point guard position now that Young is in Washington. McCollum is hitting free agency and may have earned a lot of money based on how he played in the postseason.

Atlanta has to figure out the future of that position before it can decide what they want to do with Risacher. Perhaps Risacher might be part of that solution in a trade for a point guard. That is something the Hawks will be considering all summer.