The Atlanta Hawks had a busy offseason, from trading for Kristaps Porzingis to acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a sign-and-trade. They transformed the roster around Trae Young in an effort to make a run in a weakened conference. As impressive as their summer has been, there is one move that stands out more than the others, one that didn't involve one of the players above (or another veteran).
It happened on draft night. The Hawks had the No. 13 pick, but agreed to trade it to the Pelicans for the No. 23 pick and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick. Why would Atlanta not do that? Why would New Orleans do that?
Derik Queen, whom the Pelicans wanted at No. 13, hasn't made his official NBA debut yet (it'll come later than New Orleans hoped), nor has Asa Newell, the No. 23 pick. That doesn't matter. The Pelicans' decision to send the Hawks the unprotected pick makes the trade a massive W for Atlanta.
Months have passed since it happened, and there has yet to be a reasonable explanation behind New Orleans' rationale to make such a trade. Queen's play at summer league wasn't inspiring, and it ended with a torn ligament in his wrist. Meanwhile, Newell looked like a steal for the Hawks.
Hawks' most impressive offseason move happened on draft night
The conversation about the trade isn't going anywhere anytime soon, with Atlanta crossing its fingers, hoping for as high a pick as possible in next year's draft. The Hawks could use it to bring in another young player or in a trade for a big-name player. Either way, Atlanta wins.
Next year's pick will be the more favorable between New Orleans and Milwaukee. Odds are that the Pelicans will have the worse season.
New Orleans isn't set up for a winning season. Zion Williamson's health is always a significant question mark, and the earliest that former Atlanta guard Dejounte Murray is expected to return is the second half of the season, after he tore his Achilles at the beginning of the year. The West is hard enough as is, and the Pelicans' offseason didn't come anywhere close to competing with what other top teams in the conference did.
Hawks fans are in a unique position; excited about what's to come this season as Atlanta can finish as one of the top teams in the East, while simultaneously looking forward to a potential lottery pick. The trade with the Pelicans is the gift that keeps on giving.