Are the Atlanta Hawks Eyeing the NEXT Jalen Johnson or John Collins in This Year's Draft? 👀
What if I told you there's a prospect in this year’s draft who looks like a blend of Jalen Johnson and John Collins? And what if I also told you there's a real chance the Atlanta Hawks snag him with their second first-round pick?
Stay locked in—because we're talking about Asa Newell, a Georgia product who might just be the sleeper pick of the 2025 draft.
Who Is Asa Newell?
Asa Newell is a 6'9" forward from Georgia who had a ton of top-10 buzz before the NBA Draft Combine. He was drawing major attention for his energy, bounce, and upside—until some of his measurements caused a slight dip in his draft stock.
At the combine, his official measurements came in:
Height (barefoot): 6'9"
Weight: 223 lbs
Wingspan: 6'11"
Standing Reach: 8'11.5"
Now, those are still solid numbers—but teams were expecting a legit 6'10" to 7-foot big. That one-inch difference may have knocked him out of the lottery. But for the Hawks, sitting at pick #22, that’s actually a gift.
What Makes Asa Newell Special?
Let’s talk skills. Multiple scouts and draft analysts have praised Asa for his:
Effortless bounce
Nonstop motor
Perimeter shooting improvements
Versatility on both ends
He’s described as a high-energy forward who fits perfectly in today’s modern NBA—switchable on defense, explosive in transition, and constantly working.
Sounds familiar, right?
Jalen Johnson comps come from the motor, athleticism, and developing outside shot.
John Collins comps come from the size, leaping ability, and rebounding presence.
If you told me Asa Newell could be the Hawks' next long-term forward, I’d believe it.
Draft Combine Praise
Check out what evaluators said post-combine:
"Asa Newell showed off his effortless spring, non-stop motor, and improving perimeter shooting... the 19-year-old has a strong foundation to build on long-term."
Another:
"Newell’s mobility and two-way versatility make him a seamless fit in today’s modern NBA."
That’s the kind of noise you want to hear about a late first-rounder.
Can the Hawks Really Draft Him?
Absolutely. With the Hawks holding pick #22, this is the exact kind of value swing you make late in the first round. Some mocks have him going around #24, even slipping to the Jazz or Bucks. But if he’s still available at 22?
That’s a steal. A potential rotational forward with high upside and two-way impact. The kind of guy that fits the Hawks' timeline and core perfectly.
One More Thing: The Giannis Angle 😳
Now here's the spicy part — what if the Hawks are prepping for something bigger?
Let’s say, hypothetically, Atlanta swings for the fences and trades Jalen Johnson in a package to land a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant. Bold? Yes. Impossible? No.
But if that happens, selecting Asa Newell makes even MORE sense. You get a high-motor, young forward who can grow into that vacated role. Is he Jalen right now? No. But he brings similar tools—and with the right development, he could grow into a big piece of this next Hawks chapter.
Final Thoughts
Asa Newell has everything you want in a modern forward: size, bounce, motor, and improving skill. If the Hawks pull the trigger at 22, it could be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
So let me leave you with this:
Could Asa Newell become the next Jalen Johnson?
Could the Hawks pull off a blockbuster AND reload with a high-upside prospect?
Time will tell. But one thing is for sure: Asa Newell is a baller, and Atlanta should be watching closely.
Drop a comment if you're ready to roll the dice on Asa Newell. And if you want more deep dives like this, check out the next blog right here →
Let’s go, Hawks! 🚀
