Atlanta Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh has blessed the franchise in more ways than one since his promotion last summer, and with the New Orleans Pelicans sitting at 5-22, the best is yet to come. Earlier this year, the Hawks traded Derik Queen to the Pelicans for their 2025 first-round pick and 2026 first-round pick, unprotected.
Pelicans General Manager Joe Dumars was the butt of many jokes; however, Queen has shown flashes of stardom 27 games into the season. Jeremiah Fears has also gotten off to a strong start during his first year on the world stage, averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
They have some bright spots in their bleak future, but losing their pick in the loaded 2026 draft will undoubtedly set the franchise back for years. Luckily for the Hawks, as long as the pick stays within the top four, they’ll finally acquire their last major building block for the future.
Next summer will feature a supreme quartet of Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. It’s a strong possibility that one of them will be a Hawk next year, and each prospect offers multiple directions the front office can take the franchise.
Darryn Peterson
Two things have been consistent in most early 2026 mock drafts: New Orleans having the No.1 pick and Darryn Peterson being the first selection. As a 6’6 guard, he arguably has the best intangibles in the draft, and with no contract extension for Trae Young, it’d be perfect timing for this new front office.
Peterson is an excellent offensive player with versatile scoring ability, and he’s a reliable playmaker when focused. Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self has entrusted the offense to Peterson, and he’s already demonstrated good decision-making as the primary ball handler.
He’s also a solid defender with an athletic frame for an 18-year-old. His tremendous 6’10.5 wingspan adds to Atlanta’s trend of length on the perimeter, which is a major upgrade from Young, who’s constantly attacked because of his small build.
Other prominent media members believe the Hawks will select Peterson as well, and draft expert Corey Teluba of No Ceilings NBA explained why the Hawks should draft the star Jayhawk.
“Peterson gives the Hawks a player that can play on or off the ball, which gives them some real flexibility on what they can do with their roster,” Teluba said. “ While he is a capable and talented scorer, he plays defense with intensity, and he competes on the glass.”
Adding him to the roster solves numerous problems in the future, given his potential and age. It all depends on whether the front office will abandon a solidified 4x All-Star for a fresh start.
Cameron Boozer
The Boozer twins have guided the Duke Blue Devils to an undefeated season so far, and Cameron Boozer is NBA-ready at 18 years old. Standing at 6’9 and 250 pounds, Boozer can run the floor with his athleticism and create spacing with his shooting.
As a three-level scorer, he will excel in Quin Snyder’s system, and his consistency will make him a dependable contributor almost immediately. He leads the ACC in scoring with 23.0 points per game, while also grabbing 9.9 rebounds and shooting 55.9% from the field. It’s clear that his stats are impressive, but the real advantage of drafting Cameron is the culture he will bring.
Even though he’s still a teenager, Boozer demonstrates a maturity that only comes from having an NBA star as a parent. The Hawks are working to build a winning culture for the long term, and Cameron will only strengthen what the front office is establishing.
AJ Dybantsa
It’s clear that the Hawks need a better wing after seeing Zaccharie Risacher struggle as he has. He is definitely a valuable player, but he would be better off coming off the bench, at least for now.
Luckily for the Hawks, AJ Dybantsa has shown flashes of being an NBA superstar, and the BYU Cougar is bound for the top-3 of the 2026 NBA Draft. His two-way play would increase the Hawks' versatility even more, and it’s proven that his game contributes to winning basketball.
The Cougars finished last season with a modest 24-9 record, but now they’re 9-1, ranked 10th in the ACC, on a six-game winning streak. Dybantsa has improved during every game on this run, and he’s showcased a well-rounded skillset. In their most recent win against UC Riverside, AJ finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
He’s adjusted to the pace of college basketball, and now that he’s comfortable, we’re seeing new dribble moves. His shot creation is better than Risacher’s, and as the best wing in the draft, he’ll thrive in Atlanta’s rotation.
Caleb Wilson
The most important thing above all else is that the Hawks draft an objectively good player, and if they miss out on a top-3 pick, Caleb Wilson is the consensus No. 4 overall pick. He’s shined for the UNC Tar Heels, averaging 19.4 points and 10.6 rebounds, while leading the six-time NCAA champions to a 9-1 record.
Without question, he is the second-best PF behind Cameron Boozer, and his playstyle would work well in Snyder’s offense. The Hawks use backdoor cuts and alley-oops, which Wilson excels at. Drafting the Atlanta native also adds to the trend of immense length on the perimeter, and he’s already proven himself on defense.
His monstrous 7’4 wingspan and advanced mobility allow him to defend multiple positions. Unfortunately, he only weighs 215 pounds, but at 19 years old, he has plenty of room to grow.
If the Hawks select Wilson, they’re acquiring another huge piece for their frontcourt, which is mandatory, now that Kristaps Porzingis is battling his illness again. Wilson will slide into the power forward position, allowing Jalen Johnson to play the small forward, closing their hole on the wing in the process.
Nothing in the draft lottery is guaranteed, but it’s highly unlikely the Pelicans' pick falls out of the top four. Onsi Saleh and the front office have expressed their desire to keep the pick, so one of these four players will call Atlanta home next year.