After trading for Kristaps Porziņģis just one day before the draft, the Atlanta Hawks made another deal at the 2025 NBA Draft. They traded the 13th pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the 23rd selection in the draft and an unprotected 2026 pick. Atlanta will receive the most favorable pick of New Orleans or the Milwaukee Bucks next season. The Hawks selected Asa Newell out of the University of Georgia (UGA) at pick 23. Let’s break down a busy night for General Manager Onsi Saleh and the front office.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading the No. 13 pick in the Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 23 pick and an unprotected 2026 first round pick (most favorable of New Orleans and Milwaukee), sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
Hawks Get Steal of the Draft With Asa Newell Pick After Genius Trade
This Trade Seems Like a Slam Dunk For the Hawks
The unprotected pick in next year’s draft is the most valuable aspect of Atlanta’s trade with New Orleans. The Pelicans went 21-61 in the 2024-25 season. Dejounte Murray is set to miss a chunk of the season recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon, and Zion Williamson frequently misses time. If New Orleans finds itself at the bottom of the standings again, it might have just lost its chance at the number one pick next season.
The Bucks’ question marks also help Atlanta. They likely take a step back next season without Damian Lillard, who also suffered a torn Achilles. If Milwaukee goes even further into a rebuild and trades Giannis Antetokounmpo, it can give the Hawks a chance to win the lottery.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Hawks “very much” considered Newell at 13. They still ended up with their guy 10 picks later, in addition to a 2026 unprotected pick. This should certainly give Hawks fans confidence in their new front office.
How Does Asa Newell Fit on the Hawks
Newell adds depth to Atlanta’s frontcourt, which now includes Porziņģis, Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, and Mouhamed Gueye. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and one block in his lone season at UGA. Newell’s athleticism and speed in the open court fit the Hawks’ fast-paced offense. He is an excellent lob threat and projects to be a versatile defender who can switch or hedge at the level of the screen. In addition, his weakside rim protection certainly jumps out.
Saleh had high praise for Newell after the draft. “With where the league is going, people with size and athleticism like that just makes sense… He’s a great screener, a great human being, a ridiculous athlete, and a really smart player too.”
Newell has good hands and finishes strong at the rim- deadly traits in the pick-and-roll with Trae Young. However, he only shot 29% on 2.7 threes attempted per game. His outside shot needs improvement, but Atlanta has developed players like Vít Krejčí and Okongwu, who struggled from the perimeter early in their careers, into capable shooters. Newell expressed that he had a Kyle Korver jersey when growing up. Now, he can work with the Hawks’ assistant general manager to improve his shooting stroke.
Newell’s role in his rookie season projects to be fairly limited. If the Hawks see him as a five, he will not find many minutes behind Porziņģis and Okongwu. If Newell plays at power forward, there is more of an opening, depending on how Atlanta views Gueye. The rookie could see consistent minutes in the G League with the College Spark Skyhawks if he does not enter the rotation early. The Hawks leave the first day of the draft in great position with flexibility in next year’s draft and a frontcourt piece for the future.
Featured image: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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