Hawks trade former high draft selection Risacher for McCollum in starting lineup
ATLANTA — For just the third occasion in 120 career appearances, Zaccharie Risacher was not included in the starting lineup on Sunday.
Instead, CJ McCollum, a 13-year veteran acquired from Washington, took his place alongside Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels in Atlanta’s 115-104 victory over the Nets.
Hours before the Hawks’ 7:30 p.m. ET matchup against the Wizards on Tuesday, Risacher expressed his readiness to contribute fully, irrespective of whether he is named in the starting lineup.
“I’ve always been a team player,” stated the Hawks’ 2024 first-round selection. “I’m prepared to do whatever is necessary to impact the game to the best of my ability … I believe it’s all about the team, so regardless of whether I start or not, I will still give 100% on the court.”
This adjustment is a trend Atlanta has been moving towards since acquiring McCollum. The Hawks’ most frequently used closing lineup, which includes Johnson, Okongwu, Alexander-Walker, Daniels, and McCollum, has rapidly become the favored group in the closing moments of games.
On Sunday, this trend continued as the Hawks rallied from an 11-point deficit with a 24-2 run in the last seven minutes of the contest.
“That group of players that finished the game has a net rating that is significantly higher—about 10 points—than any other combination,” coach Quin Snyder remarked. “It’s our best lineup.”
McCollum justified his position with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 32 minutes. Risacher contributed seven points and a rebound in 20 minutes off the bench.
Snyder acknowledged the benefits of having McCollum lead the second unit, but the lack of substantial minutes with the starters necessitated adjustments following several sluggish starts.
Even after moving Risacher out of the starting five, the coach emphasized that his confidence in the Frenchman remains unchanged.
“It doesn’t reflect, in any way, my personal belief in Zacch,” Snyder stated. “Zacch embodies all the right qualities, and his development will continue whether he is starting or coming off the bench.”
Snyder mentioned that Risacher’s playing time is comparable to others in the 2024 draft class. However, pressure is increasing as more players join the depth chart behind the second-year forward following a series of new signings.
In a season marked by significant changes for the Hawks, nearly half the roster has been revamped in the last two months. This group includes both McCollum and Corey Kispert from the Wizards, as well as Jonathan Kuminga from the Warriors, who has been sidelined with an injury since arriving in Atlanta but is anticipated to return to action soon.
“These dilemmas are always present. This is just the most recent one. So, we’ll navigate through it,” Snyder commented. “There’s a balance to strike—your faith in players and instilling confidence in them, while also focusing on winning. We aim to win games, and that requires making certain decisions.”
However, not all changes are permanent.
“I don’t believe,” Snyder said, “that there’s anything definitive where we make a decision and that’s how we will proceed for the remainder of the year.”
