The Atlanta Hawks decided to trade the No. 13 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft in a somewhat surprising move, given it was back rather than up.
The Hawks sent No. 13 to the New Orleans Pelicans for No. 23 this year and then some.
“The Atlanta Hawks are trading the No. 13 pick in the Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 23 pick and an unprotected 2026 first round pick (most favorable of New Orleans and Milwaukee), sources tell ESPN.
That had the Hawks were viewed as an unlikely landing spot for a position there were heavily tied to earlier in the pre-draft process, center, thanks to their trade for Kristaps Porzingis.
“Atlanta’s addition of Porziņģis … would appear to crowd their frontcourt a bit,” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer wrote on June 25. “Let’s see if that now prevents the Hawks from selecting a potential center of the future to grow alongside Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson.”
Instead, the Hawks will bide their time a little bit longer before making their first pick.
Porzingis is in his 30s, has an extensive injury history, and is on an expiring two-year, $60 million contract.
Okongwu has faced questions about his lack of size, especially against the top teams.
There are questions about how everything will shake out on the rest of the roster, too. The Hawks’ 4 spot is also loaded with starter Jalen Johnson, a potential All-Star if he can stay healthy, and Mouhamed Gueye, who filled in admirably for him last season.
Injuries tend to hit teams, and the Hawks have certainly had their fair share. They are also a younger team in what is expected to be a weakened Eastern Conference in 2024.
The Hawks also have a perceived need for a backup point guard as well as wing depth.
They passed on several intriguing prospects with this move, but they also may have had a specific target in mind and felt justified in their decision after said player came off the board before they were on the clock.
It is an interesting plot twist, given the buildup before a team goes on the clock, and the early excitement the Hawks provided with the trade for Porzingis.
Whomever they pick also faces additional scrutiny, through no fault of their own.
They will be compared to the player the Hawks essentially passed on by making this trade, Maryland center Derik Queen, especially if their trade for Porzingis backfires and the veteran misses time this season and then leaves in free agency next summer for nothing.