The Atlanta Hawks started their 2025 offseason in shocking fashion. They fired General Manager Landry Fields after a 40-42 season and promoted Onsi Saleh as the head basketball decision-maker. The Hawks searched for a President of Basketball Operations but did not hire someone above Saleh. So far, this decision has proven correct, as the new front office made home run transactions this summer to get Atlanta back to contention in the Eastern Conference. They addressed depth, shooting, and size concerns from last season to set the team up for success in the 2025-26 campaign.
Hawks Swoop in and Grab Star Center
Atlanta traded for Kristaps Porziņģis in a three-team deal for its first major move. Georges Niang went to the Boston Celtics, and the Brooklyn Nets received Terance Mann and the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. The Celtics shed salary this offseason in the wake of Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles, and Porziņģis knew he was a likely trade candidate. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported the San Antonio Spurs “held some exploratory talks” centered around Porziņģis, but the Hawks caught him off guard.
“For a while, I thought I might end up with the Spurs, but then Atlanta came in—and that was a nice surprise. It was out of my hands,” said the star center.
The front office took advantage of Boston’s situation with a low-risk, high-reward move. Atlanta did not have to give up an enormous amount for the Latvian big man. If Porziņģis stays healthy, his three-point prowess, rim protection, and championship experience will prove invaluable. On the other hand, if the trade backfires, the Hawks did not risk their future.
Porziņģis Brings His Unique Skill Set to the “A”
Porziņģis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, and shot 41.2% from deep on 6.0 attempts last season. He forms a lethal pick-and-pop duo with Trae Young. Opposing defenses will have trouble keeping the four-time All-Star from turning the corner and recovering to contest Porziņģis.
The Trae Young & Kristaps Porzingis 2-man game in Atlanta is going to be so fun to watch pic.twitter.com/9vEpoq74LZ
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) August 9, 2025
At 7 feet, 2 inches, the 30-year-old gives Atlanta the rim protector it needs in the post-Clint Capela era. The Hawks could explore playing both Onyeka Okongwu and Porziņģis together. This optimizes Okongwu’s unique ability to switch and guard in space, while Porziņģis operates in drop coverage and protects the rim. The 2023-24 NBA champion is also comfortable finding cutters and shooters, operating as an offensive hub from the perimeter.
A+ entry pass from Kristaps Porzingis to Rolands Smits pic.twitter.com/IfuICps4tI
— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) August 20, 2025
This skillset meshes with Head Coach Quin Snyder’s fast-paced, motion offense. Atlanta ranked third in pace last season, taking every opportunity to score out on the break. Next season, Porziņģis will give the Hawks a half-court offensive option, an area in which they struggled across 2024-25.
However, Porziņģis is not a lock to start next season. Okongwu took over the starting center job from Capela last January and impressed. He averaged 15.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and shot 36.2% from deep in those 40 games. Atlanta could deploy Porziņģis off the bench as a super sixth-man to preserve his knees. He has only reached the 60-game mark three times in his nine-year career and enters free agency next summer, whereas Okongwu is under contract for three more years. He signed a team-friendly four-year, $61.9 million rookie extension two years ago. Regardless of who starts, Porziņģis will likely sit back-to-backs and have his minutes monitored, but the Hawks will have 48 minutes of top-notch center play.
Hawks Front Office Takes Advantage of Pelicans’ Shocking Offer
On the night of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Hawks had the 13th selection. Suddenly, the New Orleans Pelicans approached Atlanta’s front office with an offer it could not refuse. The Hawks traded down to the 23rd pick for 13 and a 2026 unprotected first-round pick. This transaction stunned executives around the league.
“That is the worst draft trade I have seen in over a decade,” said one Eastern Conference executive.
In fact, according to Pelicans reporter Shamit Dua, Saleh called Joe Dumars, New Orleans’ Vice President of Basketball Operations, directly to confirm the offer.
“The Hawks waited nervously for Dumars to confirm, hoping he would not realize what was going on and walk the trade back. But the Pelicans persisted, and the Hawks got their steal,” wrote Dua.
The Hawks will receive the better of New Orleans or the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2026 first-round pick. The Pelicans finished with the fourth-worst record in the association last season at 21-61. Dejounte Murray likely will not return until the latter half of next season due to tearing his Achilles on Jan. 31. If Zion Williamson cannot stay healthy, the Pelicans could suffer through another tough season, and their pick could become a lottery selection for Atlanta.
Hawks Take Hometown Rookie
The Hawks took Asa Newell, who they were interested in with the 13th selection, at pick 23. Newell, who grew up in Athens, GA, played his college ball at the University of Georgia, just over an hour’s drive from State Farm Arena. He had a Kyle Korver jersey as a kid and now has the opportunity to work with the legendary three-point shooter to improve his long-range game.
The 19-year-old shot 29.2% from deep on 2.7 attempts per game at Georgia, but showed nice touch and consistent mechanics at Summer League. Newell went 6-14 from beyond the arc in Las Vegas, averaging 13.5 points and 8.3 boards on 51.3% from the field.
For a player who shot 29.2% from 3 last year, seeing Asa Newell hit 3s is something Atlanta fans absolutely love to see pic.twitter.com/gmvEFGgIOM
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) July 11, 2025
He handles the ball well for his size and has a high motor, fitting right into the Hawks’ high-paced play. Newell’s athleticism and great hands come in handy on the pick-and-roll, as he catches passes in traffic and throws down alley-oops. However, he must add muscle to his physicality at the next level. Oftentimes throughout Summer League, he struggled to finish through contact.
Newell played center at Georgia, but the majority of his minutes at Summer League came at power forward. He is unlikely to feature in Atlanta’s main rotation to start the 2025-26 campaign, but the Hawks could send him to the College Park Skyhawks for consistent court time. Later in the campaign, if Newell impresses his coaches, he could crack the power forward rotation. Mouhamed Gueye and the rookie likely will have some friendly competition throughout the season for the backup four minutes.
The Hawks’ new front office certainly made a positive impact for Atlanta in their first offseason.
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