The Atlanta Hawks have two first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, and they project to come away with quality prospects at both slots. They got moving on that front, bringing several prospects in for a closer look.
Notably, the group hosted features two of the Hawks’ biggest needs on paper: center and point guard.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Lauren L. Williams reported on the workout.
“Per league source, the Hawks had some players in for workouts today,” Williams reported on X on June 9. “Some of the names mentioned: Asa Newell (Georgia), Cliff Omoruyi (Alabama), Will Richard (Florida) and Jase Richardson (Michigan State).”
Newell and Omoruyi are both bigs, while Richard and Richardson are guards. The latter is also the son of former NBA swingman Jason Richardson.
Newell is from Florida, but the Hawks likely got to see him more frequently than the others while he was with the Bulldogs. He profiles similarly to current Brooklyn Nets big man – and oft-rumored Hawks trade target – Nic Claxton.
Omoruyi led the Big Ten with 2.9 BPG in 2023-24, transferring to Alabama in 2024-25.
Richard won a national championship with the Florida Gators this past season, scoring 18 points and snagging 8 boards in the title game.
Richardson could solve the Hawks’ long-standing issue of keeping the offense moving when four-time All-Star Trae Young has to sit, or even give them a reasonable pivot point if they decide to move the polarizing PG.
Hawks have options in 2025 NBA Draft
The Hawks can take some risks in this draft. They own picks Nos. 13 and 22, courtesy of the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers (by way of the New Orleans Pelicans), respectively.
Perhaps the Hawks trade down in the draft for additional assets. They could even package a pick with something or someone else to obtain a more proven commodity if they miss their preferred target at 13.
The same could be true at 22, though the return for moving out of that slot would be less.
At any rate, the Hawks are in a good spot. And with their front office (at least mostly) sorted out, the Hawks are wisely getting a better feel for the incoming rookie class.
If the Hawks make both picks, it would signal they are further leaning into their youth movement, also suggesting a longer runway to contention. How that sits with the team’s older players, specifically Young, would be the other major fallout from such a decision.
The early batch of pre-draft workouts is encouraging.
However, this is just a small part of the offseason puzzle for the Hawks, who have several more critical decisions looming.