The Atlanta Hawks ultimately gave up on former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, as they let the 21-year-old forward go via a three-team trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Risacher will continue his NBA career with the Mavericks two years after the Hawks took him in the draft ahead of names like Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard and Stephon Castle. In return, the Hawks received guard Ryan Nembhard from Dallas and Thunder defensive stalwart Lu Dort.
Following the trade, the Hawks sent out a farewell message for Risacher on social media.
It has become a standard practice for teams to say goodbye to departing players through their online X account, but the Hawks’ move only provided an avenue for fans and trolls to ridicule Atlanta.
Thank you, Zacch! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RTe7hUQOwH
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 19, 2026
Several fans made fun of the Hawks thanking Risacher, who did not have a big impact on the franchise.
— 1prestrey (@1prestrey) July 19, 2026
For what? Reminding us that we were a year too late for Wemby and a year early for Flagg? Oh, yea! Thanks a lot buddy
— WPN (@NCSU_Fan_1983) July 19, 2026
— Cody Martin (@CodyMartin15) July 19, 2026
For what, wasting ya pick?
— incognegro (@king1sed) July 19, 2026
— Cam ⛈️ (@camluvsthunder) July 20, 2026
Risacher can still make the Hawks pay for trading him so early in his career in the NBA by becoming a star one day, but for now, Atlanta gets a proven defensive specialist with championship experience in Dort and a seemingly underrated guard in Nembhard.
In 142 games played for Atlanta, Risacher averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists, while shooting 45.7% from the field and 36% from behind the arc.
