The Hawks pulled the trigger on a major NBA draft-day trade for the second year in a row.
The major move turned into De'Andre Hunter.
Armed with a trove of draft picks _ six in all _ the Hawks sent two first-round picks, Nos. 8 and 17, and their remaining second-round pick, No. 35, to the Pelicans for the No. 4 pick Thursday, an hour before the start of the draft. The Hawks also sent the Pelicans the protected 2020 first-round pick they received from the Cavaliers. The Hawks also will receive Solomon Hill, the No. 57 pick and a future second-rounder. Hill will enter the final year of his contract and is owed $13.3 million.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirmed the pending deal, first reported by ESPN.
The deal cannot become official until after July 6. The Pelicans acquired that No. 4 selection from the Lakers in the agreed-upon deal for Anthony Davis. That deal also cannot be completed until the start of the new NBA year.
Hunter, the Virginia forward, was the selection at No. 4. He won't be able to participate in the start of Las Vegas Summer League, which begins July 5, until the deal is completed. General manager Travis Schlenk also won't be able to speak about the specifics of the trade.
Hunter, 6-foot-7, 225 pounds, helped Virginia to the NCAA Tournament national championship this year. He is an athletic versatile forward who can play multiple positions. He has a 7-2 wingspan, which helps him as an elite defender.
Hunter averaged 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season. He shot 52% from the field, including 43.8% from 3-point range.
The Hawks will also have the No. 10 overall pick, the final of their three first-rounders. That pick was acquired last year with the Hawks made the bold move of trading Luka Doncic, who they drafted at No. 3, for Trae Young, whom the Mavericks drafted at No. 5. Both Young and Doncic are Rookie of the Year candidates.
Also delaying the deal until at least July 6 is that the Hawks will not acquire the rights to the No. 17 pick until the trade with the Nets is official. Taurean Prince went to the Nets in that deal agreed upon earlier this month.
Before the draft, the Hawks traded two of their second-round picks. They traded the No. 41 pick to the Warriors for an unconditional 2024 second-round pick and cash considerations of $1.3 million Thursday. They also traded the No. 44 pick to the Heat for a conditional 2024 second-round pick and cash considerations of $1.9 million Wednesday. Those moves give the Hawks $3.2 million.
Hawks ownership and management, including Schlenk, stated the team would not add six rookies to its roster even with the trove of picks. Schlenk attempted to package the second-round picks and move up, but was ultimately unsuccessful and settled for a future asset and case.
