The Atlanta Hawks have two first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, but their first selection – No. 13 overall – has become a strong source of intrigue with the offseason drawing nearer.
Rival outfits are pegging the Hawks as a team in the market for a center.
That alone is not surprising, but The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer reported that, starting with the No. 7 overall pick owned by the New Orleans Pelicans, a “Center Vortex” is developing. He also noted the Hawks as a team having an “interest in drafting a center.”
“We’ve been discussing Atlanta's post-Clint Capela future for some time,” Fischer wrote on June 17, “with Capela now just days away from becoming a free agent.”
Notably, the Pelicans completed a trade with the Indiana Pacers for the No. 23 pick.
That not only moves them right behind the Hawks, who also own pick No. 22, but it could signal the Pelicans are open to passing on a center at No. 7, believing they could land one with their newly acquired second first-round pick.
Hawks could benefit from Pacers-Pelicans trade
That would be good news for the Hawks, who sit in a veritable no-man’s land at the back of the lottery.
The Hawks could be prime candidates for a trade, and either direction would be feasible.
A move up could ensure they land the center prospect of their choice. Moving back could ensure they still get a prospect they want, but at a far more appropriate draft slot and, more importantly, price.
Also working for the Hawks is that center would be a luxury upgrade rather than a dire need, given they have Onyeka Okongwu and saw Mouhamed Gueye take major strides last season.
What the Hawks cannot change without an addition, however, is their lack of size.
Okongwu is listed at 6-foot-10, but he is closer to the 6-foot-8 listing he previously had. Still, he is tied with Capela and Geuey as the tallest player on the roster, a deficiency that shines brightly against some of the tougher matchups in the league.
The Hawks have good size on the wings, where Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher roam.
But four-time All-Star Trae Young will never be a particularly strong defender.
With him running the show, the Hawks’ backline defense is paramount to their success and making a deep run in the postseason. The Hawks did well, retooling the roster around Young last offseason and during the campaign at the trade deadline.
That should instill faith that they can have similar success addressing their need at the pivot. Onsi Saleh replacing Landry Fields as general manager looms large, though.