Similar to the San Antonio Spurs and the Brooklyn Nets, the Atlanta Hawks started the draft with multiple first-round picks. However, they made a savvy move on the first night of the draft, trading their 13th overall pick for the 23rd and a future first in 2026. With that pick, the Hawks selected Georgia forward Asa Newell, an athletic forward who can defend at a high level.
The Atlanta rookie showed interesting flashes in Summer League and helped them win multiple games there. His skills and talent perfectly fit with what the Hawks like to put around Trae Young. He has the potential to be an impactful player in the long haul for the Hawks. Let’s explore the three reasons why the Atlanta Hawks won the 2025 NBA Draft.
3 Reasons Why The Atlanta Hawks Won The 2025 NBA Draft
#1: Maxing Out On Athleticism And Defense
If there are attributes that the Hawks like to acquire for their team, it’s athleticism and defense. With Young currently leading the charge, both of those abilities are required to build around him. For example, Atlanta’s biggest acquisition this summer, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, has the perfect blend of athleticism, defense, and shooting that the Hawks want from their perimeter players. For a forward, Newell‘s top traits as a prospect in the draft were his outstanding athleticism and his defensive prowess. His mobility allows him to be a versatile defender who can excel in various defensive coverages. Furthermore, Newell has shown flashes as a switchable defender who can guard multiple positions. His athleticism also translates offensively as he is a good overall finisher at the rim and is a big threat in transition.
#2: Fortifying The Frontcourt
Another reason for their success in the draft is getting such a talented player to help fortify the frontcourt. Undoubtedly, the Hawks already possess an immensely talented collection of players up front. Guys like Kristaps Porzingis, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jalen Johnson can make a major difference for the Hawks in terms of their success this season. However, it’s hard to deny that each of these players has an extensive injury history. It would be no surprise if any of these players miss extensive time this season.
Thankfully for the Hawks, they just drafted a talented forward who can step in and play if Atlanta’s frontcourt gets thinned out by injuries. His combination of athleticism, defensive ability, and play-finishing makes him a solid substitute for the Hawks. Without a doubt, fortifying their frontcourt with such a prospect as Newell is a big win for Atlanta.
#3: Fleecing The Pelicans
The biggest reason why the Hawks won the draft is the absolute fleece of a deal that they made with the Pelicans. As mentioned earlier, they were able to turn one of their picks into another valuable pick in the future, specifically for next year’s draft. Unquestionably, the 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be another extremely strong draft in terms of prospects. The top three prospects of that draft all certainly have the potential to be number one options in the NBA.
The reason this deal is such a fleece is because of the increased likelihood of the Pelicans’ 2026 pick turning into a lottery pick. Undoubtedly, the Pelicans have not done much to improve their roster in comparison to other Western Conference teams. Additionally, many players for New Orleans have extensive injury histories. Furthermore, the West has only gotten tougher this offseason. As a result, there is a real chance of that pick entering the lottery or even the top five. Plus, the Hawks still received the rights to this year’s 23rd pick. Overall, the trade gave Atlanta a great rookie and a potentially valuable pick in a talented 2026 class.
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