2023-2024 Montverde Academy was one of the most dominant high school basketball teams of all time.
Montverde – as they have often done year after year – obliterated their competition. The only difference this particular season was the fact that they didn't lose a single game.
Hoisted up by the fearsome foursome of Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, Liam McNeeley, and Asa Newell, the 23-24 Montverde squad went a blistering 33-0 before their all-but-guaranteed run to a national championship after their already impressive regular season.
All four of their leaders ended up being drafted in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft - Flagg 1st overall to the Dallas Mavericks, Queen 13th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans, Newell 23rd overall to the Atlanta Hawks, and McNeeley 29th overall to the Charlotte Hornets.
While Queen and Newell have already been permanently linked after their time at Montverde thanks to a draft-night trade involving the Pelicans and Hawks, Newell may just end up involved in a 2nd trade with a Montverde teammate thanks to a recent report involving Davis and the Hawks.
Hawks are refusing to part ways with Risacher or the Pels pick, meaning Newell is the most logical asset
According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, the Hawks are unwilling to include either one of Zaccharie Risacher or the New Orleans Pelicans' first round pick in the upcoming draft.
While the latter is extremely obviously a no-go in any hypothetical trade for the aging, injury-prone big man in Dallas, Zaccharie Risacher's involvement in any such deal seemed nowhere near as far-fetched.
Risacher's inability to secure consistent minutes during his year-and-a-half tenure with the Hawks sparked rumors earlier this season about his involvement in a hypothetical Davis trade. Since then, these rumors have all but vanished, leaving the Hawks' ability to acquire AD in serious jeopardy.
While Risacher may not be available, the Hawks have another (slightly less valuable) asset that they could offer the Mavericks – in combination with the same cap filler as would have been included in a Risacher deal – Asa Newell.
Cooper Flagg has often spoken of his respect for Newell's game, as well as the chemistry the two shared on the court. If the Mavericks are indeed shaping up to rebuild with a youth movement, what better way to secure Flagg for the long haul than to grant him not only one of his elite high school teammates but also a proven young asset?
Newell, despite not receiving consistent minutes, has posted an impressive 56% conversion rate from the field and 44% metric from long range. This is the highest clip among rookies with over 40 attempts.
Combined with his stellar athleticism, which was so often displayed at Montverde, and his ever-improving defensive awareness, his inclusion as an asset in a Davis deal may just be enough to move the needle for the Mavericks.