The Atlanta Hawks didn’t have a strong 2024–25 season. After trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans, many thought the team was doomed. Their star point guard, Trae Young, kept playing at a high level, but it wasn’t enough.
Atlanta finished as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the play-in tournament. But after back-to-back losses, questions started swirling about the team’s future, especially what’s next for Young.
The All-Star guard has been the face of the Hawks since he arrived in 2018. Now, he might be ready for a fresh start. So might Atlanta, which is expected to stay focused on long-term growth and take an explosive young forward with their top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Hawks Predicted To Select Georgia’s Asa Newell in 2025 NBA Draft
The Hawks lost a tough play-in game to the Orlando Magic on the road. Then they were knocked out by the No. 10 seed Miami Heat on their home court, ending their playoff hopes.
After that rough finish, rumors about a potential Trae Young trade took off. Even if he stays and Atlanta builds around him again, the team still needs to add athleticism, according to PFSN’s Sterling Xie.
The Hawks just barely got the No. 13 pick from the Sacramento Kings, and Xie sees them using it on Georgia’s Asa Newell.
“The Atlanta Hawks got this pick from the Sacramento Kings by the thinnest of margins, as it was top-12 protected,” Xie wrote. “Now the Hawks have a pair of first-rounders after also getting the Los Angeles Lakers’ original pick, a nice consolation prize for a disappointing non-playoff season.
“With their lottery selection, the Hawks could look to inject some athleticism into their frontcourt. Asa Newell averaged 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for Georgia this season, earning All-SEC Freshman honors. The 6’11” forward demonstrates explosive athleticism, which should enable him to impact rebounding and defense right away.
“Newell had the third-highest offensive rebounding percentage in the SEC at 13.9% while also averaging a block per game. His work on the offensive boards would help an Atlanta team that is likely losing Clint Capela in free agency, and fell from fifth in offensive rebounding rate last season to 13th this season. Newell’s jumper isn’t there yet, as he shot 29.2% on 3s, but his solid 74.8% free-throw percentage hints at untapped potential there.”
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The Hawks have leaned on player development and already have a young core with Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher. Adding Newell in the draft could give Atlanta a strong starting five with Young, Daniels, Risacher, Newell, and Okongwu — and a solid defensive upgrade after finishing 18th in Defensive Rating.
Newell’s size, skill, and two-way ability have made him a projected top-10 pick. After a standout season with the Bulldogs, he might be the spark the Hawks need after a down year.
