The Atlanta Hawks just traded Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks. In return they got Lu Dort and Ryan Nembhard. That’s a deal for role players, not a franchise cornerstone. And it happened after just two seasons. That’s rare for a No. 1 overall pick. It’s also basically a confirmation of what a lot of people already suspected: Risacher looks like a bust.
First overall picks are supposed to be Hall of Famers. Or at least perennial All-Stars. They’re not supposed to be traded for a defensive specialist and a backup guard before their third season. But here we are. So where does Risacher actually rank among the biggest draft failures of the 21st century? Let’s run through the list.
The bottom of the barrel
Anthony Bennett is the gold standard for busts. The Cavs took him No. 1 in 2013 and nobody saw that coming. Not even Bennett probably. He lasted four years in the league, averaged 4.4 points, and played for four different teams. He had no elite skill. Just a body that couldn’t figure it out. He’s the worst.
Jay Williams might have been great. We’ll never know. The Duke guard wrecked his career in a motorcycle crash before his second season. He averaged 9.5 points as a rookie. Then it was over. He’s remembered as a bust, but it’s not because of his game.
Darko Milicic went No. 2 in 2003. That draft had LeBron, Carmelo, Bosh, Wade. Milicic did almost nothing. He backed up a title team in Detroit, played garbage minutes, and averaged 6.0 points over a decade. The Pistons picked him ahead of some all-time greats. That’s a scar that won’t heal.
Hasheem Thabeet was 7-foot-3 and couldn’t score. The Grizzlies took him second overall in 2009. Blake Griffin went first. Then came Harden, Curry, Holiday, DeRozan. Thabeet averaged 2.2 points for his career. He was too slow to be a good defender too. That pick set Memphis back years.
Greg Oden gets a little sympathy because of injuries. He was legit when he played. But he only played 82 games for the Blazers. His knees just gave out. Drafted before Kevin Durant. That’s a what-if that hurts.
Adam Morrison had the college credentials but couldn’t defend or shoot efficiently in the NBA. An ACL tear killed his momentum. He averaged 11.8 as a rookie and then basically disappeared. Won rings with the Lakers but didn’t contribute much.
Where Risacher fits
Risacher lands at No. 7 on this list. That might feel high for a guy who just got moved after two years but the 2024 draft class was weak. Nobody really thought he had superstar upside. He was a jack-of-all-trades type who ended up being mediocre at everything. The Hawks never treated him like a core piece. Now he’s in Dallas with Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. There’s no more opportunity there. Maybe he figures it out. But it doesn’t look great.
The guys ahead of him include Kwame Brown, who actually played 607 games and scored 4,000 points. Brown gets roasted by Stephen A. Smith and Michael Jordan’s shadow, but he stuck around. Risacher might not have that kind of longevity.
James Wiseman was taken second overall in 2020. He didn’t fit Golden State’s system, couldn’t space the floor, and barely played. He’s now in Indiana and has suited up for five games over two seasons. That’s worse than Risacher’s situation.
Markelle Fultz got traded after two seasons too. Philly moved up to get him and the pick they gave up became Jayson Tatum. Fultz’s shoulder injury ruined his jumper. He showed some life in Orlando but the shooting never came back. He might be done now.
Risacher still has time. He’s entering his third season. But the track record for guys who get traded this early as No. 1 picks is brutal. The Mavs took a flier on him. It’s a smart low-risk bet. But history says bets like this usually don’t cash.
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