The Atlanta Hawks will have two first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, slated at No. 13 and No. 22 overall. In that range, they may not be looking at prospects who scream perennial All-Star. Nonetheless, there should be several rotation-level players that could prove valuable. With that in mind, one of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s greatest strengths during their title season was their depth.
The problem is that after missing the playoffs for two straight years, the Hawks probably need a little more help than that. As a result, moving up in the draft is a more appealing option.
Hawks Want Top-5 Draft Pick Trade For Center Target
League sources say the Hawks “are looking to move way up from this pick and have called teams drafting in the top five,” reports Yahoo Sports analyst Kevin O’Connor. “They are targeting a center.”
Among the center prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft, there are two that quickly come to mind when considering who the Hawks could be targeting.
Khaman Maluach
The highest-ranked center in the draft class is Duke freshman Khaman Maluach, who might remind Atlanta of the late and great Dikembe Mutombo. At 7-foot-1 and 253 pounds, he certainly provides the size and length Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh has discussed as a priority. He’s also far from the standard rookie, as he’ll enter the NBA with not just collegiate (NCAA) experience, but professional (Basketball Africa League) and international (South Sudan national team) experience as well.
Asked Hawks GM Onsi Saleh about the importance of adding size to this team through the draft and free agency pic.twitter.com/hlV5YyvbZT
— Caleb Johnson (@ATLjohnson18) June 23, 2025
Maluach is the type of rim-protector that can act as a safety net should a teammate get beat. He’s also capable of guarding out in space, which is incredibly important at the NBA level. Both of these traits make him an ideal partner for the rather diminutive Trae Young at the defensive end, particularly in the pick-and-roll.
Offensively, he should have great chemistry with Young too though. A truly elite passer, Young has quite a knack for not breaking down defenses and hitting an open man.
Of course, it won’t just be the Young & Maluach Show.
Among the starters, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels are two others that Maluach could play off of regularly. Zaccharie Risacher may not have the numbers to show it but he also makes shrewd decisions with the ball in his hands. Maluach could even form a high-low game with Onyeka Okongwu, a solid passer for a big man. In the second unit, In the second unit, Vit Krejci has emerged as an astute playmaker.
Derik Queen
The Hawks could turn to Maryland’s Derik Queen. Indeed, Queen has already conducted an interview with Atlanta, revealing their interest during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
In some ways the antithesis of Maluach, Queen is already an insanely gifted scorer at the offensive end. Jumpers, sweeping hooks, spinning drives; you name it, and he can do it. He’s also a fascinating facilitator, his basketball IQ and passing versatility standing out on film.
Derik Queen’s footwork is ELITE, look at his counters man pic.twitter.com/JQimipctcK
— Mo (@Mo___Wrld) May 14, 2025
His detractors cite concerns about his athleticism but that shouldn’t prevent him from being dominant. Truly, nobody will claim that Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun or Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis have ideal physical attributes. If a team believes that he has the potential of any of those three players, the fact he doesn’t look like Wilt Chamberlain shouldn’t matter.
(Furthermore, though he doesn’t look like he’ll be winning a Defensive Player of the Year Award any time soon, Queen’s already solid in terms of timing and hand placement with regard to his rim-protection.)
All in all, Queen improving his conditioning and shedding his baby fat would likely help take his game to the next level. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t good enough without having done so.
© David Banks-Imagn Images
