The Atlanta Hawks can take multiple shots in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
They do not own their first-round pick. That was dealt away in 2022 to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. However, the Hawks do own the Sacramento Kings’ first-round pick as long as it falls between Nos. 13 and 30.
That is a result of the trade that sent Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings; a byproduct of the Murray trade.
Atlanta also owns the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 first-rounder.
They acquired that pick in the 2024 offseason trade that sent Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. Armed with their pair of selections, which project to land in the mid-teens (Kings) and mid-20s (Lakers), Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman projected an interesting haul.
Wasserman projects Georgia Bulldogs big man Asa Newell to come off the board with the No. 14 pick.
“Newell ultimately gives off safe-pick vibes with his 6'11" size and movement, consistent production, defensive tools and reliable touch whenever he gets it in the paint,” Wasserman wrote on March 31. “He will make plays from off the ball within a set. And it still seems worth betting on the 29 made threes and 74.4 free-throw percentage signaling useful spot-up shooting.”
The Hawks have struggled with length at times.
The 6-foot-11 Newell would step in behind Onyeka Okongwu, tying Mouhamed Gueye as the tallest player on a Hawks team that also boasts 6-foot-10 Zaccharie Risacher – the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 draft – and 6-foot-7 Dyson Daniels on the wings.
Wasserman compares Newell to Jalen Smith, Brandon Clarke, and Jonathan Isaac, each of whom has proven themselves as useful rotation players.
With the No. 24 pick, Wasserman projects the Hawks go international.
Hawks select Frenchman Noah Penda in new mock draft
After the success the Hawks have had with Risacher’s development, Wasserman has them dipping back into the French well, this time to select 6-foot-8 combo forward Noah Peda of Le Mans.
“Even if Noah Penda's production seems pedestrian, it's helped illuminate specific versatility the NBA often covets,” Wasserman wrote. “There will be plenty of interest in a 6'8" 225-pound forward who can make open threes, pass, cut for easy baskets and react/move well defensively. Fit outweighs upside with Penda.”
The influx of international talent will surely lead to a brighter spotlight on future generations, and Penda has been on the radar long before this draft cycle. His comp: Nicolas Batum.
Whichever direction the Hawks go, they have proven they can mine talent.
It can be easy to forget now, but Jalen Johnson was the No. 20 overall pick in 2021. His slide in the draft was due to non-basketball questions, but getting what they have out of him – especially under current head coach Quin Snyder – should not be understated.