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NBA world reacts to Hawks huge night one of NBA Draft

Originally posted on SportsTalkATL | By Chase Irle | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 9:28 AM ET

The Atlanta Hawks aren’t an organization that typically garners praise from the entire NBA world, but perhaps times are changing under new GM Onsi Saleh.

The NBA draft lottery revealed the Hawks would be picking at 13 and 22 in this year’s draft, but after a couple of savvy moves, they didn’t end up selecting at either of those spots. Saleh dealt the 22nd pick for Kristaps Porzingis in a deal that filled the Hawks biggest need while also keeping them financially flexible to make more moves now and in the future.

Then, on draft night, Saleh made perhaps the move of the entire draft, striking a trade with the Pelicans that netted the Hawks an unprotected 2026 first round selection (more favorable of New Orleans and Milwaukee) just for moving back 10 spots, from 13 to 23. It’s the trade that has everyone talking this morning.

"WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!?”@getnickwright could not believe what the Pelicans traded to the Hawks during the NBA Draft pic.twitter.com/9RZ8kBcOOi

— What’s Wright? with Nick Wright (@WhatsWrightShow) June 26, 2025

Preview of tomorrow's ZL Show: CAW-CAW!!!!!!!!!!

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 26, 2025

I've got a lot of questions about NOP's front office, but shout out to Onsi Saleh and the Atlanta Hawks front office for asking for an unprotected 2026 first and actually getting it in addition to No. 23.

— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 26, 2025

Those are just a few of the big names in the media praising Onsi Saleh for his work on night one of the draft.

The entire NBA world was shocked when the Pelicans, who won just 21 games last season, parted ways with a 2026 unprotected first-round pick just to move up 10 spots. There’s very high chance that pick is in the top 10 next year, and possibly even as high as one. It was an absurd and frankly delusional move by New Orleans, one that could end up completely reshaping the Atlanta Hawks franchise.

On top of that, the Hawks ended up getting one of the prospects they were considering at 13 with the 23rd pick — 6-foot-11 Asa Newell out of Georgia, one of the most talented freshman in college basketball this past season.

I’m not sure the most optimistic Hawks fan could have imagined a better night one of the NBA Draft. In just a week, Onsi Saleh has put the entire NBA world on notice, and Atlanta still has a ton of ammunition left to make more significant additions.

This article first appeared on SportsTalkATL and was syndicated with permission.

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