Onsi Saleh and the new Atlanta Hawks front office had an excellent draft night, and it’s highly encouraging, seeing how it’s their first offseason in office. The biggest highlight of the evening was a trade between the Hawks and the Pelicans, where Atlanta received their 2025 first-round pick (23rd) and 2026 unprotected first-round pick.
During his introductory press conference, Locked On Hawks reporter Brad Rowland asked Newell about the areas where he wants to improve the most for the remainder of the offseason.
“I just have to get stronger and eat more, grow into my grown man body, and that’s just growing up,” said Newell. “Also, I want to work on my decision making, consistency, three-point shot, and ball handling skills…those are my top three priorities.”
Newell is guaranteed to improve in the Hawks' developmental system, and Saleh’s belief will give him years to reach his full potential. All prospects have pros and cons, but Newell’s work ethic is exceptional. He was on pace to average 20+ points and 10+ rebounds as a sophomore next season, indicating rapid development. If fans can remain patient, they will be very satisfied with the final product.
It was a blessing for the Hawks as they were able to draft UGA Star Asa Newell and secure a guaranteed top-10 pick in the star-studded 2026 NBA Draft. Numerous mock drafts predicted the Hawks would select Newell, and his skill set will serve well in the frontcourt. He is only 19 years old, so it’ll take a while to build on his strengths and improve his weaknesses.
Pros & Cons of Asa Newell landing with Hawks
The best thing about Newell’s game is his offensive potential and athleticism. Newell led the Bulldogs in both scoring (15.4 PPG) and rebounding (6.9). He shines as a modern-day big man with three-point shooting and supreme footwork.
Even though he is 6’11 and 220 pounds, Newell is very agile. His combination of speed and size makes him a force in transition. He was a massive lob threat in college alongside UGA guard Silas Demary Jr., and Hawks point guard Trae Young excels at the alley-oop.
Saleh is slowly surrounding Young with multiple versatile screeners who generate spacing with three-point shooting and defend the interior with immense size, including the newly signed Kristaps Porzingis. Adding Newell in the same offseason has provided a massive boost to interior defense, regardless of his rookie status.
His build and playstyle enable him to make an immediate impact next year, and Snyder often distributed minutes to younger players last season. Dominick Barlow and Keaton Wallace developed rapidly and became key parts of the rotation. Newell has a higher ceiling than both and still has plenty of room to grow at 19 years old.
During his introductory press conference, Hawks GM Onsi Saleh praised Newell and expressed his excitement for the future with the Atlanta native on the roster.
“It’s a busy time during the draft, and we ended up with the guy on our right here, Asa, and we’re super excited to have him here,” said Newell. “ Incredibly excited, he brings everything we’re looking for, the ethos of this team. (We’re) just incredibly excited, he’s a huge culture add and a huge add on the court."
Newell’s development will take time, and his biggest weakness out of college is his physical strength. His intangibles allow him to score in the post at a rapid rate, but he will need to add more muscle to his frame to unlock his full potential at the NBA level. Numerous rookies in the 2025 NBA Draft outweigh Newell by a substantial margin.
Maryland star Derik Queen weighed 245 pounds on draft night, and former Blue Devil Khaman Maluach weighed 250 pounds. Newell will encounter Maluach during the NBA Summer League circuit on July 13th, and fans will see the size disparity firsthand. As he adds more muscle, his weaknesses from the collegiate level will dissipate, including his ability to box out.
He averaged 6.9 rebounds per game due to athleticism and competitiveness. His positioning and timing need improvement, which requires immense strength at the NBA level. Opposing teams will only get stronger in the pros, and they will attack him to exploit his weakness.
As Newell gets stronger, he’ll learn to absorb contact and become a more confident shot creator, which was another weakness in college. According to NBADraft.net, 56% of his shots were at the rim, and 60% of his shots were due to an assist.
His shot selection is very efficient, but his NBA career will be short-lived if he is unable to create his own opportunities. Luckily, his franchise player was the league leader in assists last season (11.6), and Newell has showcased an immense desire to improve.