Ahead of the start of the 2024-2025 NBA season, we had some big questions about this Atlanta Hawks team that needed to be answered. This is the second of many roundtable topics we’re considering here at Peachtree Hoops. The first can be found here.

What are your expectations for Zaccharie Risacher in his rookie season?

We – For me, Risacher just needs to show confidence, commitment and stay healthy for this season to be a success. There’s no need for him to go out and prove himself on par with other No. 1 picks over the years – just play his role and fit in. If he can give the Hawks 60+ appearances, an efficient 12+ points per night, 35+% shooting from three, and can contribute on other ‘little things’ like rebounding and team defense, it will be a big win in finding the perfect addition for Trae and Jalen in the long run.

Hassan- Am I being too conservative in projecting a Keegan Murray-like rookie season for Risacher? Murray (the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft) was nearly three years older than Risacher will be during his rookie season, but he too was billed as a ready-made NBA wing with no real star-level upside during his pre-season. design process.

As a rookie, Murray’s usage rate (13.8%) was only in the 29th percentile among all forwards, although he was productive with the touches he received, averaging 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists, while shooting 41% from downtown (on top of six three-point attempts per game) for a Kings team that ultimately finished third in the Western Conference. Though I’d be surprised if Risacher plays as much as Murray — who started 78 games and averaged 29.8 minutes per night as a rookie — with Jalen Johnson and fan favorite De’Andre Hunter still ahead of him in Atlanta’s pecking order on the wing I expect him to be impressive and efficient in a mid-to-low usage role this season.

Joe- I expect a very solid season from Risacher. He’ll definitely give his best when he’s in, and I’m sure Snyder preaches that to him. We have already seen progress in his play and scoring outside of shooting. He just needs to be solid defensively with his size and length, but it will be fun to see him match up with some of the stronger players if Daniels or Hunter miss a game. Overall, I’d expect somewhere between 11 and 14 points per game, maybe 37% from beyond the arc. I expect his defense to be somewhere between solid and good, but it’s always nice to see someone like him always putting in the effort on both ends.

Graham- Risacher, I think, has found himself in a unique situation where there isn’t as much pressure to enter the season as a number one pick as there would otherwise be. For this reason, coming off the bench and into NBA life is fine for him. I expect Risacher to go through the usual ups and downs for rookies, I expect him to come off the bench, he’ll bring energy off the bench, he’ll bring some defense, and I think he’ll shoot well enough for his rookie season.

By all accounts the Hawks are working hard and he clearly has the talent to match, so I expect good development to happen as the season progresses, including him being in the starting lineup by the end of the season. I think Risacher is in for a strong rookie season, and I think he can eventually average 10-12 points.