The Hawks were the clear winners of the offseason this year, assembling a team ready to compete in the postseason while also gaining draft capital. However, a development in New Orleans may tank the value of the picks Atlanta acquired this summer.
On draft night, the Hawks traded the 13th pick (Derik Queen) for the 23rd pick (Asa Newell) and the unprotected rights to the more favorable of the Pelicans' and Bucks’ 2026 first round pick. This trade was viewed as a resounding success by the Hawks, as the Pelicans finished the 2024-25 season with the fourth-best odds in the lottery. What made the trade even better was that Atlanta reportedly wanted Newell at the 13th pick regardless.
What the Hawks and the NBA community at large did not know was that Zion Williamson had returned to peak physical shape for the first time since his freshman season at Duke. This is a game-changer for both New Orleans and Atlanta.
The Asa Newell trade may not be the home run it appeared to be
Williamson caught headlines after he appeared to have lost significant weight in his media day appearance. The Pelicans had their first preseason game against Dash Daniels, Dyson’s younger brother, and Melbourne United of the National Basketball League (Australian top division).
In this game, Williamson appeared to confirm that he is indeed in the best shape of his NBA career. He dropped 15 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in 16 minutes, shooting 5-8 from the field and 5-7 from the line. While the counting stats are not eye-popping, he played just half of his career average for minutes per game.
Williamson has had a rough start to his NBA career by his standards. After being dubbed one of the best draft prospects of the 21st century, the former first overall pick has been failed by his body, playing in just 43% of games in his six-year career. Even when healthy, Williamson has not been the MVP-caliber player many had hoped for.
Occasionally, however, he has shown flashes of his former brilliance. Most recently, Williamson caught fire against the Lakers in the 2024 Play-In tournament, dropping 40 points and 11 rebounds before ultimately leaving the game to injury. The elite player who inspired the most blatant tanking in recent memory is still there somewhere.
If Williamson can become this player again, their trade with the Pelicans isn’t nearly as impressive. This isn’t to say the trade would be a mistake in hindsight if Williamson plays well - the Pelicans would have to wildly overperform in a Western Conference loaded with talent for this to happen.
Still, if the Pelicans’ pick is in the teens rather than the top five, Atlanta will have to play their cards more cautiously moving forward.