Asa Newell is one of the great X-Factors as far as the Atlanta Hawks and their 2026-27 success is concerned. A first-round pick in 2025, Newell turned in an intriguing rookie season that saw him flash his potential without necessarily finding a consistent role in Atlanta’s rotation.
If the 2026 preseason is a sign of things to come, then an elevated role with low volume and high involvement is the ideal way to help Newell take the next step in his development.
Newell finished his rookie season with averages that translated to 16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 offensive boards, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks, and 2.1 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes. He managed that well-rounded production while shooting at a clip of .538/.387/.552.
With eye-opening per-36 production and an intriguing degree of defensive potential, Newell is an obvious candidate for a leap forward during his second season.
In saying that, the preseason has revealed important details about how ready Newell is for greater volume as a scorer. He’s thrived when he’s been more involved in the system at large, but he appears to be less of a creator and more of a finisher at this stage of his development—and that doesn’t necessarily mean he shouldn’t play at all.
Instead, the Hawks should look for ways to highlight Newell’s defensive versatility and off-ball value on offense while still getting him enough touches to keep him in the flow of the game.
Asa Newell needs touches and a role to play, but isn't yet a scorer
Newell began the preseason with 12 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and two steals against the Memphis Grizzlies. He followed with 16 points in 14 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs and eight points on 4-of-8 shooting against the Indiana Pacers.
During his most recent outing, however, Newell shot 3-of-14 from the field and struggled to generate offense on a night when the bulk of Atlanta's starters rested.
One game doesn't cancel out the others, but the film and numbers reveal two pivotal truths. For one, he's shooting just 2-of-16 from beyond the arc. That may contradict his efficiency as a rookie, but it's in line with the fact that he shot 29.2 percent during his lone collegiate season.
Until consistency is established, it's thus fair to question the legitimacy of Newell's jump shot—and therefore if he can play alongside franchise player Jalen Johnson given his downhill tendencies.
The other truth that can be seen is that Newell is still finding a way to make his mark. For instance, despite shooting 3-of-14 from the field, he tallied five offensive rebounds and two blocks. Beyond the numbers, he brought intensity and defensive switchability to the floor.
That all adds up to Newell positioning himself to remain involved in the Hawks' system and stylings, but not necessarily asked to be a scorer at this stage of his development.
Hawks need to keep Asa Newell involved, even if not as a focal point
Newell has thus far showcased an impressive ability to play off of the featured shot creators and playmakers as an offensive rebounder and, if he can get back to his 2025-26 level, shooter. That should be his primary offensive role, with screening and rolling included as key elements of how he can make an ideal impact on the game.
That doesn’t mean Newell shouldn’t receive touches, however, as it’s important that he still plays a role that will keep his involvement high and his intensity along the same level.
Defensively, Newell’s ability to switch against players at multiple positions is an attribute that must be refined. He has a lot of Dorian Finney-Smith in his game, which makes the new addition an ideal mentor for him, but he should still be developed in a way that allows his offensive game to take shape as it naturally does.
It may not be the most rewarding approach for the Hawks from a short-term perspective, but investing in Newell in a high-involvement but low-volume role could be essential to unleashing his potential.
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