Atlanta and Washington give the Southeast Division a 1-2 punch at the top of the NBA draft
The Southeast Division controlled the top two selections in the NBA draft, with Atlanta and Washington picking 1-2.
Those were rare spots for those two franchises.
The Hawks won the lottery after having only a 3% chance of landing the top pick. They had picked No. 1 only one other time, in 1975.
Washington had the top pick in 2001 (Kwame Brown) and 2010 (John Wall), but those were the only times in the past half-century the team had selected in the top two.
Elsewhere in the division, the Orlando Magic were also in an unusual spot after making the playoffs this past season. They picked Colorado forward Tristan da Silva at No. 18 — their lowest first-round pick since 2012.
The Hawks and Wizards may have been in close proximity in the draft, but on the court the teams are in very different positions entering this offseason. The Hawks were in the play-in round last season, with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray averaging over 20 points a game. Now they add French teen Zaccharie Risacher to the mix.
The Wizards, meanwhile, lost a franchise-record 67 games, and expectations figure to be low again even after taking French 7-footer Alex Sarr one spot after Risacher.
Atlanta Hawks
Needs: Defensive help at every level.
Who they drafted: Risacher at No. 1 and forward Nikola Djurisic of Serbia at No. 43.
NBA comparision for Risacher: He said he and Golden State shooting guard Klay Thompson have “the same game.” Risacher then quickly added Thompson has the advantage of being a veteran while he must improve. Risacher is quick and athletic at 6-foot-9, 215 pounds and should provide both scoring and defensive skills on the wing.
Charlotte Hornets
Needs: The Hornets had plenty of issues across the board last season, none bigger than their defense. Charlotte finished second-to-last in the league in defensive rating. The Hornets also need to add more 3-point shooting and rebounding.
Who they drafted: Forward Tidjane Salaun of France at No. 6 and guard KJ Simpson of Colorado at No. 42.
NBA comparison for Salaun: He has plenty of length and intensity and reminds some of a more athletic version of Otto Porter Jr. or Jonas Jerebko. The big question will be how he develops as a shooter. Just 18, he played very well at the Basketball Without Borders camp and was named MVP of the 2023 Trophy of the Future tournament, averaging 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The Hornets passed on UConn center Donovan Clingan to take the 6-9 Salaun.
Miami Heat
Needs: Size
Who they drafted: Indiana center Kel’el Ware at No. 15 and guard Pelle Larsson of Arizona at No. 44.
NBA comparision for Ware: He might be considered a Myles Turner type, a 7-footer with serious offensive skills, a knack for rim protection and outstanding in the pick-and-roll. Ware also will immediately benefit from playing alongside Heat captain Bam Adebayo, who could get more minutes at power forward if Ware can take center minutes.
Orlando Magic
Needs: Perimeter shooting. The Magic were last in the NBA in 3-point field goals and 24th in 3-point percentage.
Who they drafted: Da Silva at No. 18.
NBA comparison: Philadelphia's Tobias Harris because of his size, all-around game and maturity.
Washington Wizards
Needs: Washington is only a year into its rebuild, so the Wizards didn't necessarily have to be picky about fit — but it happened that some of the top players available also had good size, which the team can use after dealing Kristaps Porzingis and Daniel Gafford in the fairly recent past.
Who they drafted: Sarr with the No. 2 pick, Pittsburgh guard Bub Carrington at No. 14 and 6-8 Kyshawn George of Miami at No. 24.
NBA comparison for Sarr: He says he admires Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, although his defensive impact may make him more comparable to Jaren Jackson Jr. initially.
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