New Orleans Pelicans

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Jalen Johnson scores 20 points and grabs 11 rebounds in Hawks 123-105 Win vs. Pelicans

jalen-johnson-drops-20-point-double-double-in-win-at-pelicans

Jalen Johnson drops 20-point double-double in Win at Pelicans

atlnbell

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks have acquired the draft rights to forward De’Andre Hunter, the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, forward Solomon Hill, a conditional 2023 second-round pick and the draft rights to guard Jordan Bone, the 57th overall selection, from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the draft rights to center Jaxson Hayes, the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the 17th overall pick, guard Marcos Louzada Silva, the 35th overall selection and a conditional 2020 first-round pick, it was announced today.

“We are thrilled to add De’Andre to our young core. As one of the top two-way players in college basketball last season, he brings a variety of skills that will translate well on the next level,” said Hawks General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk. “He is also a high-character individual and a winner, and we feel he will be a great fit with our group.”

The ACC Defensive Player of the Year, an All-ACC First Team performer and Consensus Third Team All-American, Hunter helped lead Virginia to the National Championship this past season while averaging 15.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.5 minutes (.520 FG%, .438 3FG%, .783 FT%), starting 38 games. He ranked second in the conference in field-goal percentage and ninth in scoring.

In 2017-18, Hunter was the ACC Sixth Man of the Year and a member of the conference’s All-Freshman team after putting up 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.9 minutes (.488 FG%, .382 3FG%, .755 FT%). The native of Philadelphia, PA attended Friends Central High School, where he was the Pennsylvania Class AA Player of the Year in 2015-16.

atlanta-hawks-acquire-draft-rights-to-deandre-hunter-solomon-hill-and-conditional-2023-second-round-pick-from-new-orleans

Atlanta Hawks Acquire Draft Rights To De’Andre Hunter, Solomon Hill And Conditional 2023 Second-Round Pick From New Orleans

atljwilson

Monday night was the first of many things for the Atlanta Hawks.  It was their first preseason game, their first game in new uniforms and the first game on their redesigned court.

Fans were pleased with the result and took to social media following the win.  Here's what they said:

hawks-fans-react-to-preseason-opening-win

Hawks Fans React To Preseason-Opening Win

Okay, so it's only preseason, but the Atlanta Hawks finally get to play against someone other than themselves this week.

Details:  7:30 p.m. | Philips Arena | No TV or Radio | Buy Tickets

The Pelicans come into the season with some promise after a strong offseason that landed them center Omer Asik via trade and John Salmons via free agency.  Getting Ryan Anderson back after last year's season-ending injury will only help, and they still have former All-Stars Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.  They opened preseason play with a solid 98-86 win over the Miami Heat in Louisville, Ky. on Saturday.  Davis and Asik played limited minutes but figure to get some more time Monday against Atlanta.  The frontcourt duo figures to be a handful for Atlanta, which is still without Al Horford, who has not been cleared for 5-on-5 contact yet.  Wingmen Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans should give the Hawks' improved perimeter defenders a test as well.

Details:  8:00 p.m. | FedExForum | No TV or Radio

Atlanta takes the show on the road for the first time this season with a preseason tilt against the Grizzlies.  Memphis figures to be a contender in the West yet again, returning all five starters from last season's playoff team and adding free agents Vince Carter and Michael Beasley.  Mike Conley's length and defensive pressure should be a good early test for point guards Jeff Teague, Shelvin Mack and Dennis Schröder, and the frontcourt duo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol will make it tough defensively on the Atlanta big men.  Like New Orleans, Memphis is hoping for a cleaner bill of health in 2014-15.

Pero Antic:  Out Monday (Broken nose) and will miss at least a few days.Kent Bazemore:  Not yet cleared for contact (foot).  I'd expect him to miss both games.DeMarre Carroll:  Will warm up (ankle) Monday night before a decision is made.  Injury not serious.Al Horford: Not yet cleared for full contact (pectoral).  He will also likely miss both games.Kyle Korver:  Not with the team Monday for personal reasons.  He should be back by Saturday.

The injury bug has bitten the Hawks already, though none of the listed injuries should impact the regular season.  It's better to be cautious now than sorry later.

Yes, it's only preseason, but the Hawks are hoping to change their fortune against their two opponents this week.  They went 0-4 against the Pelicans and Grizzlies in 2013-14.

The Hawks do lead the all-time series with Memphis 23-13, including a winning record at FedExForum.

New Orleans Pelicans

Jalen Johnson drops 20-point double-double in Win at Pelicans

Atlanta Hawks Acquire Draft Rights To De’Andre Hunter, Solomon Hill And Conditional 2023 Second-Round Pick From New Orleans

Hawks Fans React To Preseason-Opening Win

Hawks Open Preseason Play With New Uniforms, Court