Hawks agree to trade down, draft Georgia's Asa Newell at No. 23

Lauren Williams, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jun 25, 2025

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ATLANTA — It took a while, but the Hawks finally got a player they liked in the first round of the NBA draft.

The Hawks did not make their pick at No. 13, trading with the New Orleans Pelicans for No. 23 Wednesday night, a league source confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

They used that pick to select Georgia forward Asa Newell.

With the Bulldogs, Newell averaged 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. The 19-year-old also averaged one block and one steal per game, while shooting 29% from 3.

The Hawks will also receive a 2026 unprotected first-round pick from the Pelicans. That selection will be the more favorable between the Pelicans’ and Bucks’ picks.

That gives the Hawks a little more draft flexibility in next year’s draft, along with the pick swap with the Spurs.

With the No. 13 pick, the Hawks selected Maryland big man Derik Queen, who will join the Pelicans. The Hawks also had the No. 22 pick, but dealt that one to the Brooklyn Nets in the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to report the trade.