The Atlanta Hawks may be hovering around .500 on the court, but off it? They're sitting on a potential goldmine.
Thanks to a savvy move during last year’s draft, the Hawks hold the rights to the New Orleans Pelicans’ 2026 first-round pick - and here’s the kicker: it’s completely unprotected. That means no matter how far the Pelicans tumble in the standings, Atlanta gets the pick, no strings attached. And right now, that pick is trending toward the top of the draft lottery.
It all goes back to the Pelicans’ aggressive push last summer to land Derik Queen. That move required them to send out future assets, and the Hawks were more than happy to accommodate - sliding down the draft board to grab Asa Newell and picking up New Orleans’ 2026 first-rounder in the process. It’s a bet that’s aging beautifully for Atlanta.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, can’t catch a break. Injuries have once again ravaged their roster, a familiar and frustrating theme that’s haunted them for years. Dyson Daniels even called the franchise “cursed,” and it’s hard to argue when the injury report feels like a revolving door.
But not all of New Orleans’ woes are injury-related. Some of them are self-inflicted - particularly when it comes to trade decisions.
The latest buzz centers around Ja Morant, who’s reportedly on the block as Memphis leans into a rebuild following a significant return in the Desmond Bane deal. Morant’s name has been linked to the Pelicans, and with good reason.
Despite the Grizzlies’ struggles and Morant’s off-court baggage, he’s still an electric talent. Just look at his 40-point outburst against the Sixers on December 30 - the guy can still take over a game.
So why hasn’t a deal happened?
According to reports, the Grizzlies are asking for a first-round pick along with any trade package for Morant. That’s not an outrageous ask for a player of his caliber, especially considering the discount Memphis might be offering to move on quickly. But the Pelicans, perhaps still feeling burned from last summer’s dealings with Atlanta, have reportedly drawn a hard line: no picks, not even protected ones.
That hesitation could prove costly - not just for New Orleans, but in a roundabout way, incredibly beneficial for the Hawks. If the Pelicans continue to slide and pass on opportunities to improve their roster, that unprotected pick in Atlanta’s pocket only gets more valuable. And with the Pelicans already near the bottom of the standings, every loss adds more weight to the Hawks’ draft capital.
In short, Atlanta’s front office made a calculated gamble last summer, and it’s paying off in a big way. While the Pelicans try to navigate injuries, trade dilemmas, and the murky waters of a season slipping away, the Hawks are quietly watching their draft odds climb - one New Orleans loss at a time.