Atlanta knew they were getting a steal when they elected to trade down for Asa Newell in the 2025 NBA Draft. General Manager Onsi Saleh was confident in selecting him at pick 13, but New Orleans allowed him to trade down ten spots and still get the organization's top guy.
Newell landed in a perfect spot for his development as a player. Atlanta's frontcourt room appeared to be loaded, so he wasn't lined up for significant minutes in year one. So far this season, however, he's been a reliable backup forward option when injuries have persisted.
Considering all the strengths he's shown just 20 games into his NBA career, one particular ability has stood out, separating him from the rest of Atlanta's forward rotation. He has been absolutely lethal from the outside.
Asa Newell leads all rookies in three-point percentage (minimum 20 total 3PA). On the year, Atlanta's rookie forward is shooting 51.4% from beyond the arc.
Notably, he's ahead of Kon Kneuppel (41.4%), Liam McNeeley (41.3%), Tre Johnson (39.6%), and VJ Edgecombe (38.3%), all of whom were regarded as much better outside shooters coming into the draft than Newell.
Newell being above Kneuppel is especially impressive. Charlotte's rookie sharpshooter has always been known for his ability to let it fly. This season, he took the crown for the fastest player in NBA history to knock down 100 threes.
Who could have predicted this remarkable leap from long-range?
At Georgia, the shooting potential was there, but the percentages were not. Newell made a huge impact on his collegiate team, leading them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015. During the year, however, he never fully showcased a consistent ability to connect from downtown.
In the 2024-25 season, his lone season as a Georgia Bulldog, Newell made just 29.2% of his 2.7 three-point attempts per game. This percentage didn't paint a full picture of his shooting trajectory, as the mechanics and confidence were all there. They just weren't going in the basket.
Still, Newell found other ways to impact the game, whether by getting to the basket with ease or defending multiple positions at a high level. His all-around capabilities and effectiveness at such a young age made his case to be a first-round pick undeniable.
Atlanta didn't select him for his outside shooting abilities, but his focus on his development in that category has opened up plenty of action for Quin Snyder's offense.
As Kristaps Porzingis recovers from his illness, expect Newell to continue getting steady backup minutes and letting it fly with the utmost confidence.