|
The Atlanta Hawks acquired the No. 4 pick in the NBA draft, Virginia forward De'Andre Hunter, from the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 8, 17 and 35 picks in a trade agreed to shortly before the draft began Thursday night, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowkski. The Pelicans are also sending Solomon Hill, the No. 57 pick and a future second-round pick to Atlanta as part of the exchange. Atlanta is also sending a heavily protected Cleveland first-round pick in 2020 to the Pelicans, sources said. The Pelicans acquired the No. 4 pick from the Lakers last week in the deal that will send Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. The trades can not become official until July 6 at the earliest, so the Lakers technically made the pick at No. 4 for the Hawks. New Orleans used the picks they got in the deal to select Texas center Jaxson Hayes at No. 8, Virginia Tech guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker at No. 17, and Brazilian guard Didi at No. 35. Hunter, who was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season, shores up an Atlanta team that struggled on defense last season, posting the fourth-worst defensive efficiency in the league. No player under contract with the Hawks for next season ranked in the top 150 in ESPN's defensive plus-minus this past season. Hunter said Atlanta was a landing spot he anticipated. "When I went there (for a workout), they had a pretty strong feeling about me," he said. "I knew that was the place I wanted to be. That was one of my destinations. I'm happy they traded up and got that pick." The move marks the second year in a row that Atlanta general manager Travis Schlenk has made a big move in the lottery. Last year, it was to trade down two spots to select Trae Young while also acquiring the No. 10 pick in this year's draft. The Hawks drafted Duke guard Cam Reddish with that pick. "We're really excited with the way it played out for us," general manager Travis Schlenk said. Reddish is a stellar athlete with the potential to be a long-range shooter and lockdown defender, but he struggled offensively at Duke and was a surprise late scratch against Virginia Tech in the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 with a left knee injury. Schlenk said Reddish was ranked higher than No. 10 on Atlanta's board, but Reddish said he has something to prove after sliding. "I've got a little chip on my shoulder to come in and prove myself," he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
|
