The Atlanta Hawks just made an incredible, potentially franchise-altering trade during the 2025 NBA Draft. They traded the No. 13 pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 23 pick and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick that will belong to either New Orleans or Milwaukee, depending on which team performs worse next season.
After robbing the Pelicans last offseason when they gave up Dejounte Murray for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and two first-round picks, the Hawks have fleeced New Orleans yet again. With the Pels projected as one of the worst teams in the league next season, the Hawks have most likely secured a lottery pick in the 2026 draft. Atlanta could feasibly earn a top-five selection next year – or even higher.
In his first draft as general manager, Onsi Saleh has struck another home-run deal after acquiring Kristaps Porzingis for minimal assets earlier in the week. Saleh assured Hawks fans he would be aggressive this summer, and he is quickly living up to his promise.
After dipping ten spots in the draft, Atlanta still managed to grab Asa Newell with the No. 23 pick. The high-upside draft steal played his college ball at Georgia and was originally projected as a lottery pick in many mock drafts.
The Pelicans made this draft-night deal with Atlanta so they could draft Derik Queen, a talented big man out of Maryland whom they clearly liked a lot. However, giving up their unprotected first-rounder next season could haunt them long-term in the same way their decision to trade The Great Barrier Thief is already aging poorly.
The NBA world has already given some predictably stunned reactions to New Orleans’ shocking gamble:
"We might need to have the league take over the New Orleans basketball franchise again," The Athletic's Sam Vecenie said, referring to the NBA's takeover of the Hornets in 2010 amid economic uncertainty following Hurricane Katrina (2005).
"Pelicans giving up next years pick is insane," The Ringer's Ryen Russillo posted.
The Hawks earned their best chance at title contention with their fleece of the Pelicans
While it may seem bold to suggest on the surface, the Hawks have given themselves their best possible chance at championship aspirations for the future. Similar to how the Boston Celtics eventually garnered Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from their 2013 trade with the Nets, the Hawks could end up with a generational talent as a result of their deal with the Pelicans.
From AJ Dybantsa to Darryn Peterson, the 2026 NBA Draft is loaded with primetime prospects and potentially franchise-changing players. If the Hawks can earn a high-end lottery pick next season, the future could be brighter than ever for Trae Young and his teammates.
If a best-case scenario pans out from their latest deal, Hawks fans could look back on this night as one of the most important in franchise history. For the Pelicans, it could be one of their most disastrous.