Hawks maintain they’ll keep No. 1 pick: ‘We’re going to draft a player’



On June 18, the Atlanta Hawks effectively confirmed that they will retain their top pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

Not long ago, Hawks General Manager Landry Fields expressed his liking for the potential No. 1 selection in the draft – and he insisted that he has no intention of trading away the top pick, despite his phone lines remaining open.

Fields said, “I think we’re very excited about the draft. I’m glad we have the No. 1 pick. I’m not giving it back to anybody. So, I think we’re in a great position. Honestly, I’m excited.”

The Hawks surprisingly won the NBA Draft lottery with just a 3% chance.

After scouting French prospects Alexandre Sarr and Zacharie Risacher, Kentucky guard Reed Shepherd, and UConn center Donovan Clingan, among others, Fields’ initial enthusiasm for securing the top pick hasn’t waned. However, he acknowledges that the team is yet to settle on who to select with the first overall pick.

Fields mentioned that the Hawks’ draft board, which could include potential No. 1 picks, is narrowing down.

“I would say it was wider a week ago than it is now,” he said. “The draft board will definitely start to take shape and tier off.”

Fields is looking for a player who can “be the No. 1 pick and be a player that we feel fits us not only for right now but for the future.”

Besides taking a break on Father’s Day, Fields has been busy on the phone, fielding calls from other executives.

Despite having guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, the Hawks haven’t won a playoff series since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. The team kept Murray at the trade deadline in February, amid speculation he might be dealt for draft picks.

The futures of center Clint Capela and forward De’Andre Hunter could also loom large this offseason. But the immediate priority is deciding on the top pick.

Fields stated, “As a group, we’ve considered a lot of different scenarios. With where we are, we’re going to draft a player. … We plan on drafting a player.”