Feb 6, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Hawks Notes: Atlanta's Unprotected Draft Pick, Risacher, and Porzingis, Trae Young's Studio Session With Quavo

Originally posted on Atlanta Hawks on SI
By Kahlil McCuller | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 8:52 AM ET

The Atlanta Hawks have been buzzing as of late about the unprotected draft pick they received and the strength of schedule they have post All-Star break. When the Hawks made the trade on draft night with the New Orleans Pelicans, many people questioned why the Pelicans would do it, and now more than ever, it is getting to be an even more alarming situation.

The Pelicans have the most challenging schedule in the NBA next season, and with the pieces at play, it is a good chance they miss the playoffs again with their young roster. If this were to happen, the Hawks would then get a chance at another lottery pick if the Pelicans struggle this year and miss the playoffs. With the roster Atlanta has and the way the front office has been building in recent years, there's no telling who the Hawks could draft next year or move the draft pick for while becoming a contender this year.

The Pelicans have the toughest schedule in the league next season.

Guess who owns their unprotected first round pick? https://t.co/vXyDqrWCOY
— Zach Langley (@langleyatl) August 14, 2025

The Pelicans were heavily criticized for this move for multiple reasons, as they picked Derik Queen, who isn't considered an ideal fit for their roster, and they could've possibly traded a protected pick instead of taking this significant risk. The Pelicans front office is known to take major gambles, as last summer they traded for Dejounte Murray and gave up Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr., and two first-round draft picks. A year later, the Hawks now have an All-Defensive Player and Most Improved Player of the Year in Daniels, and draft picks. Meanwhile, Murray is out with a torn Achilles, so the Hawks have been striking gold with New Orleans for quite some time now.

Another thing that has been talked about for Atlanta is the strength of schedule that they have post-All-Star weekend, as the Hawks will have the fewest miles traveled. Post All-Star, the Hawks have 10 road games that are spaced out in the schedule and 16 home games to end the season, which gives them a significant advantage in securing a good seeding for the playoffs.

The Hawks have the fewest miles traveled after All-Star Break. Nuggets are second fewest.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) August 15, 2025

If I'm being honest, the Hawks and Trae Young have all the pieces necessary to be successful this season, so barring injury, there shouldn't be any reason they don't finish top five in the Eastern Conference and potentially go on a playoff run. If they do well this season, as anticipated, Young should have an extension offer next summer, and he would likely stay in Atlanta with the way the rosters are being constructed.

Here’s more in-depth coverage on the NBA Cup and daily Hawks news below (click the headline for full article):

They did it again https://t.co/XPblpUbr1G pic.twitter.com/HVF3xLmx9c
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 15, 2025

Zacch Risacher chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals for France in their first W game over Spain since ‘14

He’s got such a refined playstyle and game for his age, with him being able to contribute as both a floor-spacer and play finisher pic.twitter.com/oMM9RtkUTD
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) August 15, 2025

Kristaps Porzingis in today’s friendly vs Lithuania:

22 points on 69.8 TS%!!
5 assists
3 blocks

Has shined as a post hub in these tuneup games, can’t wait to see him hoop in a Hawks jersey pic.twitter.com/s4ribrE0Gp
— #InSnyderWeTrust (@dlee4three) August 14, 2025

Quavo had Trae Young doing adlibs in the studio with Billboard
pic.twitter.com/y3FZ98cfNI
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) August 14, 2025

Outside of myself with this @ATLHawks Logo the first players I think of are Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith and Dikembe Mutombo there were the Atlanta Hawks in this era. https://t.co/b0mUCsAzvJ pic.twitter.com/sMdpIzB8Uh
— Eldridge Recasner (@erecasner) August 16, 2025

If you want more news and notes on the Hawks, be sure to check out: Atlanta Hawks on SI

This article first appeared on Atlanta Hawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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