The 2025 NBA Draft contained several surprises, but the Atlanta Hawks may have pulled off the biggest heist of all. While most of the attention this offseason has focused on their free agent additions and revamped core around Trae Young, a quieter transaction might soon prove to be one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory. Thanks to a draft night deal with New Orleans, the Hawks walked away with the more favorable of the Pelicans’ and Bucks’ 2026 first-round picks, a selection that is suddenly looking more valuable by the day.
The Athletic's Sam Vecenie recently stated on his podcast that four league executives have told him that they now have the Pelicans projected to finish near the bottom of the Western Conference standings in 2025-26.