Something big is about to happen in Atlanta.
To be more accurate, Zion Williamson is about to happen to Atlanta - if the pieces fall into place the way Onsi Saleh has predicted they will. If I were to compare the last two trades that New Orleans has made with Atlanta to a chess opening, it would be the Fool's Mate.
Those familiar with the not-so-strategic series of moves in the popular board game know that the fool's mate is entirely avoidable, entirely up to the side that marches itself towards its own demise.
The Pelicans opened their battle of wits with the Hawks by taking on Dejounte Murray in exchange for not only Dyson Daniels, but also multiple first round picks. While Daniels has rapidly blossomed into an elite defender and capable producer, Murray has sustained an injury while still taking in the benefits of a massive contract. Pawn to F3.
The Hawks countered with patience, letting their young players develop, watching Dyson Daniels exceed all expectations, and observing the injury-riddled Pelicans flounder their way to the bottom of the Western Conference. Pawn to E5.
The Pelicans continued their path towards imminent destruction with an inexplicable move - sending away their incredibly lucrative 2026 first round pick in order to move up a mere 10 spots in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Not only did sending the pick not make any sense, but the selections made from the organizations are arguably inverse in their redraft position - Newell could very well be a top-10 talent in the draft, while Queen has already sustained injury in a bloated New Orleans frontcourt. Pawn to G4.
The Hawks' imminent final move - leveraging the New Orleans pick.
The Pelicans have made a dangerous gambit by giving Atlanta their own unprotected first round pick. In a vacuum, trading away an unprotected first is always a risk, but when you do so at the bottom of perhaps the most stacked conference we've ever seen, the gambit becomes more of a death wish.
Atlanta needs only the Pelicans to remain where they were last year - comfortably at the bottom of the Western Conference. With no major changes to any of the contenders from last season, as well as the rising talents of Portland, San Antonio, and Dallas, the road to a higher seed looks nearly impossible in New Orleans.
Atlanta can then leverage the Pels' pick against them - if New Orleans finds themselves at the bottom of the West by February, which seems ridiculously likely, their fans will crucify them if they don't own their pick while setting their sights upon a loaded 2026 draft class.
Atlanta then can make the final fateful move - sending New Orleans their own pick back (as well as other draft/talent compensation) for the ever-controversial Zion Williamson - a player long touted as being firmly on the trade block. New Orleans will be ready for a rebuild, and Atlanta will be ready to take a risk to seek a title.
Queen to H4. Checkmate.