As they continue to remodel their roster, searching for the right set of pieces for a championship puzzle, the Atlanta Hawks will enter the offseason with a two first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. The highest of those picks (13th overall) will be in the back half of the lottery. With it, the Hawks will hope to attain a rotation-level player.
Atlanta’s choice is layered though.
2025 NBA Draft: Hawks Eyeing Jase Richardson With No. 13 Pick
The Hawks could simply opt to draft the best player available. To be frank, their starting lineup seems all but set in stone. Yet, it’s possible that they can find upgrades in the wing or frontcourt.
If Atlanta prioritizes team needs, then they could look to solidify their second unit. With that in mind, their depth is questionable at every position. Is playmaker Vit Krejci a point guard or a jumbo-sized wing? Does Mouhamed Gueye play over Georges Niang, as he did towards the end of 2024-25? Is Gueye primarily a power forward or center? Will Kobe Bufkin, a combo guard, stay off the injury report long enough to develop?
Amid those questions, Michigan State freshman guard Jase Richardson “has been connected to the Hawks throughout the pre-draft process,” per Yahoo Sports senior analyst Kevin O’Connor.
Why Draft Jase Richardson?
The rationale behind the Hawks drafting Richardson with the 13th overall pick has been covered by Last Word on Sports on a couple of occasions. Those looking for a scouting report on Richardson can find one here. However, he’s essentially a prospect who can be a long-term backup for franchise point guard Trae Young.
At the offensive end, Richardson is heady and confident, playing with a comfort-level that’s common for someone with his pedigree. After all, Richardson is the son of Jason Richardson, who averaged 17.1 points per game in his 13-year NBA career. He’s obviously much smaller than his father, who was listed at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, but he’s a strong finisher nonetheless.
Jase Richardson is a combo guard who has the ability to play on or off the ball at a high level in the NBA.
The Michigan State product is a very good shot-maker at all three levels. Silky smooth pull-up from the mid-range and behind the arc. Thrives as a spot-up shooter where he… pic.twitter.com/Mwr1mhhsuI
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) May 27, 2025
Furthermore, he does project to be just as solid of a 3-point shooter, converting 41.2 percent of his long bombs in 2024-25. Last but not least, at least so far as his scoring ability, he has an instinctive in-between game.
With his ability to generate points, Richardson should make it easier for the Hawks to glide through the Young-less minutes. It’s possible that the two share the court at times too though. Their lack of height may be a deterrent against playing them together frequently. Yet, their 3-point shooting could make those two-guard lineups electrifying.
A Complementary Piece
What makes Richardson a true complement to Young is his defensive presence. The four-time All-Star deserves credit for increasing his intensity and focus at that end in recent years. Still, he’s a weak link on that side of the court.
Richardson is not. On- or off-ball, he’s assertive, making great use of his basketball IQ and frame. To that point, though he’s 6-foot-0 (without shoes), he has a 6-foot-6 wingspan.
He’s not going to climb past Young on the totem pole just because he’s likely to be more effective at that end. However, he can be a situational substitution that allows them to improve their defense while preserving their 3-point shooting. Thus, he’d be similar to players like Patrick Beverley, a 12-year NBA veteran that’s made a positive impact for multiple contenders.
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