The entire NBA world was shocked when the New Orleans Pelicans decided to trade their 2026 first-round pick unprotected to the Atlanta Hawks just to move up 10 spots in this year’s draft. Atlanta still managed to take Georgia star Asa Newell 23rd overall, who they liked at 13 as well, while collecting a pick that’s setting up to be at the top of the lottery in 2026.
It was nothing short of organizational malpractice from the Pelicans, and the beginning of the 2025-2026 campaign shows exactly why. Following their fourth straight loss on Friday night, which resulted in head coach Willie Green being fired, New Orleans is now 2-10 with little hope of digging their way back into contention in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Breaking: The New Orleans Pelicans have fired head coach Willie Green, sources tell @ShamsCharania. James Borrego will be the interim head coach.
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— ESPN (@espn) November 15, 2025
With three teams owning a 1-11 record, the Pelicans currently have the fourth-worst record in the NBA, which would give the Hawks a 12.5% chance of landing the #1 overall pick in next year’s NBA Draft, one that is loaded with elite talents.
“The team with the worst record is guaranteed a top-five pick,” Kevin O’Connor writes for Yahoo! Sports. “The second-worst record is guaranteed a top-six pick. The third-worst record is guaranteed a top-seven pick. And right now, the Wizards, Pacers, and Nets are winning that race, each with 1-10 records. Finishing with the fifth, sixth or seventh pick might seem unappealing in most draft classes. But this 2026 draft class is quite different. It could be historic.
“All the attention is on Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, BYU wing AJ Dybantsa and Duke power forward Cam Boozer, but this draft class is about more than them. Players like North Carolina power forward Caleb Wilson, Tennessee wing Nate Ament and Louisville guard Mikel Brown could push for the top 3. Meaning, there are at least six players who a team would happily draft with a top-two or -three pick in almost any other year. It is undoubtedly the best class since the NBA flattened the odds in 2019 to actually lose on lottery night.”
The Hawks already have a really good team. Even with Trae Young sidelined with a knee injury, they’ve won six out of their last eight games, and they could have up to $90 million in cap space next offseason if they decide to move on from Trae Young, along with a top pick in a loaded draft class. This is a position Atlanta basketball fans have been dreaming of for years. If Onsi Saleh orchestrates things correctly over the next calendar year, the Hawks will be set up as championship contenders for the foreseeable future.
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Photo: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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