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Asa Newell’s $3.56 Million Option Shock For Hawks
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- Asa Newell’s $3.56 Million Option Shock For Hawks
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks just made a move that looks cheap on paper but carries a heavy price tag for the future. They exercised the third-year option on former first-round pick Asa Newell, locking in a salary of $3.56 million for the 2027-28 season. This decision keeps the 21-year-old big man under contract well past his rookie deal. Per Heavy.com , the team had to make this call by the November 2 deadline to secure his rights. It is a surprising financial commitment for a player who has barely cracked the rotation.
Most fans expect teams to decline options on players who struggle for minutes. Newell has played just 47 games over two seasons, averaging 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in limited time. The Hawks are betting on a different path. According to Yahoo Sports , this was an easy decision because the deal remains a cheap option for a young player with talent. The organization sees potential where others might see a risk. They are paying for what Newell could become, not just what he is right now.
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A G League Dominance No One Saw Coming
The real story here is not the NBA minutes. It is the numbers Newell put up in the G League. While he sat on the bench in Atlanta, he was tearing up the minor leagues. In 12 games with the College Park Skyhawks, he averaged a massive 22.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. Yardbarker reported that he also dished out 1.8 assists and blocked 1.6 shots per game. He looked like a star in the minors while struggling to find a spot in the big league rotation. This gap in performance is the key to understanding the Hawks' logic.
Newell showed he can guard and rebound at a high level when given the chance. He is 6-foot-10 and athletic, traits that coaches always crave. The Hawks believe his defensive versatility can help them shore up the frontcourt. According to Heavy.com, he is a flexible big man capable of guarding opponents while also hitting three-point shots at a respectable rate. That mix of size and skill is rare. The team thinks he can grow into a solid backup for Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu.
A Crowded Frontcourt Creates a Tense Battle
Here is the twist that makes this move even more interesting. The Hawks already have a crowded room of young big men. They drafted Zuby Ejiofor in the first round this past year, and Mouhamed Gueye is on the roster but currently injured. Yahoo Sports pointed out that all three players overlap in their skill sets. Keeping Newell means the team is committed to a logjam of forwards. They have to figure out who plays, who sits, and who gets traded.
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The decision also comes at a tough time for the franchise. The Hawks have lost four of their last five games and sit at a 3-4 record. During a recent defeat against the Pelicans, Newell recorded his season bests with 13 points and four rebounds. He played well but shot just 1-for-6 from deep. Per Yardbarker, he was a bright spot in a lopsided loss. If head coach Quin Snyder needs minutes, Newell is ready to step in, especially if injuries strike again.
Atlanta now has $125,432,556 committed to 10 players for next season. That is a lot of money tied up in a young core. The move guarantees Newell's spot but does not guarantee him playing time. He must now prove he can translate his G League dominance to the NBA floor. The clock is ticking for him to earn a bigger role before the trade deadline. If he cannot find his game, the Hawks might have to move him to clear space.
