The Boston Celtics are in a unique position to make a splash at the 2026 NBA trade deadline. Boston has an attractice collection of draft assets, quality players on team-friendly contracts, and a proven history of bringing the best out of underutilized talent.
With this in mind, Boston should at least kick the tires after learning that former No. 1 overall draft pick Zaccharie Risacher is available in trade discussions.
The Atlanta Hawks selected Risacher at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He earned All-Rookie First Team recognition in 2024-25, but Atlanta appears underwhelmed by the progress he's made and is now exploring its options.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Hawks are believed to be willing to part with Risacher in a potential trade if the right scenario were to come along.
"It is also increasingly believed that Atlanta is willing to surrender Zaccharie Risacher in the proverbial right scenario, since the No. 1 overall pick in the draft just 18 months ago has not developed as the Hawks would have hoped to this point."
It's unclear if the Celtics have assets that the Hawks would covet, but it's fair to believe they can at least get Onsi Saleh on the line for exploratory discussions.
Hawks' Zaccharie Risacher reportedly available for the right price
Risacher is a captivating talent with untapped potential and a ceiling that may not yet be known. He stands at 6'8.5" without shoes, has a high release point and strong form on his jumper, boasts the athleticism to play above the rim, and has even displayed a degree of creativity in the paint.
Risacher also appears to be adaptable in the sense that he has the quickness to attack in isolation and the willingness and ability to score in an off-ball role.
On the other end of the floor, Risacher has the body and athleticism to become a versatile plus defender. He may not necessarily be a lockdown force, but he has defensive playmaking potential and off-ball value that's already on display.
Risacher currently ranks in the 65th percentile in off-ball chaser defense, the 67th percentile in passing lane defense, and the 68th percentile in defensive positional versatility, per Basketball Index.
Zaccharie Risacher would provide balance, developable depth
For the Celtics, Risacher could be the ideal forward to bridge the gap between Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Brown has become one of the top volume scorers in the NBA and Tatum will likely need time to get back to 100 percent.
With this in mind, having a tall forward who can defend multiple positions and chase shooters around screens could take a significant amount of pressure off of the stars.
Offensively, Risacher would be in an environment that would encourage him to explore his versatility. He'd inevitably receive a high number of three-point field goal attempts on a team that ranks No. 3 in the statistic, but that's only one facet of Boston's game.
Risacher would also have the opportunity to attack close outs, get out in transition, and perhaps even lead a second unit that needs shot creators who are willing to take chances.
Perhaps Boston could get Atlanta on the line with an offer of Sam Hauser and draft compensation. It's unclear what else the Hawks will be looking for, but the opening silo could at least pique the rival front office's interest to the point of being able to negotiate additional assets who may better fit their rotation.
If the Celtics somehow convince the Hawks to trade Risacher, then they'd be adding a 20-year-old raw talent who can help anchor the next decade of Boston basketball.