Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Atlanta Hawks exercise contract options on De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Onyeka Okongwu

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the fourth-year (2022-23) contract options on De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish along with the third-year (2022-23) option on Onyeka Okongwu.

Also today, the team requested waivers on center Johnny Hamilton and guards DaQuan Jeffries and Ibi Watson.

Entering his third season with the Hawks, Hunter averaged 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.5 minutes last season (.484 FG%, .326 3FG%, .859 FT%), appearing in 23 games (19 starts). He put in 10-19 points 11 times, 20-29 six times and 30-39 once, leading the club in scoring four times. He was selected to the 2021 NBA Rising Stars roster, comprised of 10 first- and second-year premier young players selected by the league’s assistant coaches. During the Hawks’ first round NBA Playoffs series win over New York, he compiled 10.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 30.4 minutes, playing in and starting five games (.400 FG%, .375 3FG%, .750 FT%). In 86 career regular season games (81 starting assignments), the 6’7 forward is averaging 13.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 31.3 minutes (.430 FG%, .348 3FG%, .799 FT%). He was selected fourth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Also going into his third season, Reddish played in 26 games (21 starts) for Atlanta in 2020-21. He averaged 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 28.8 minutes. The 6’8 forward put in 10-19 points 11 times and 20-29 points four times. After missing the final 42 games of the regular season and the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs due to injury, he returned during the Eastern Conference Finals against Milwaukee, when he tallied 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals in 23.0 minutes (.528 FG%, .643 3FG%, .800 FT%) in four contests. In 84 career regular season games, including 55 starts, Reddish is averaging 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.4 minutes. He was selected 10th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

As a rookie in 2020-21, Okongwu averaged 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 12.0 minutes, appearing in 50 games (four starts). The 6’9 big man scored 10-19 points six times and 20-29 once, pulling down 10-or-more rebounds twice and recording two double-doubles. In 18 games off the bench during Atlanta’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, he averaged 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.2 minutes (.548 FG%, .667 FT%). He was selected sixth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Atlanta Hawks sign guard Ibi Watson

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Ibi Watson.

Watson, who played for the Hawks’ summer league team in Las Vegas this past August, spent last season at Dayton, where he averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 37.1 minutes (.466 FG%, .416 3FG%, .757 FT%) as a redshirt senior, starting all 24 games. He was named Third Team All-Atlantic 10 after finishing 11th in the conference in ppg, fourth in 3FG%, 3FGM per game (2.6) and mpg.

The 6’5 guard played his final two seasons at Dayton after transferring from Michigan.

In high school, Watson started at at Athens (OH), where he was a teammate of future NFL quarterback Joe Burrow, before completing his career at Pickerington HS.

Born in Atlanta, Watson grew up in Marietta, GA before moving to Ohio in middle school.

Atlanta Hawks waive Jahlil Okafor

The Atlanta Hawks today waived center Jahlil Okafor.

Signed by the Hawks on September 22, 2021, Okafor appeared in two preseason contests with Atlanta. He was on a non-guaranteed contract.

Drafted 3rd overall in the 2015 NBA draft, the 6-foot-10, 270-pound center is just 25 years old, yet has an uncertain future in pro basketball. At this point early in his career, he needs to latch on with any team that might give him minutes and prove that he belongs in the NBA.

Hawks sign DaQuan Jeffries, waive A.J. Lawson

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard DaQuan Jeffries and waived guard A.J. Lawson.

Jeffries, 6’5, spent last season with the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets, averaging 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 15.9 minutes (.417 FG%, .875 FT%) in 31 games (five starts). In 44 career contests (five starts) over two seasons, the Tulsa product has averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.4 minutes (.438 FG%, .857 FT%).

Undrafted in 2019, Jeffries spent time at Oral Roberts and Western Texas before finishing at Tulsa from 2017-19. He is a native of Edmond, OK.

Atlanta Hawks sign Skylar Mays to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Skylar Mays to a two-way contract.

Mays, a 6’4 guard, averaged 3.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 8.2 minutes as a rookie for the Hawks last season (.449 FG%, .350 3FG%, .880 FT%) in 33 contests. He scored in double-figures five times, including Feb. 12 vs. San Antonio, when Mays set a career-high in points (20), adding three assists in 17 minutes (7-10 FGs, 4-5 3FGs, 2-2 FTs). In Atlanta’s final regular season game (May 16 vs. Houston), he finished with 16 points, a career-best seven assists and two blocks in a career-high 27 minutes (7-11 FGs, 2-5 3FGs). Mays also played in seven postseason games, totaling eight points.

In four contests with the Hawks at the 2021 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, he compiled 18.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 28.7 minutes (.463 FG%, .333 3FG%, 16-16 FTs).

Selected by the Hawks in the second round (50th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft, Mays originally signed a two-way contract with the Hawks on Nov. 24, 2020. As a senior at LSU in 2019-20, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 34.5 minutes, earning first-team All SEC honors. The three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American was the 2020 Academic All-American of the Year. He is a summa cum laude graduate with a degree in kinesiology.

Atlanta Hawks hire Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks have hired Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach.

Van Exel isn’t new to the Hawks organization, though it’s been a while. He was previously a player development instructor for the Hawks from 2010-12.

“Since his playing career ended, Nick has been very successful in helping develop young guards for the teams he’s worked with, including several that have turned into All-Stars,” said Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan. “We feel he’ll be a great addition helping our young core guards continue to progress.”

Van Exel returns to Atlanta from the Dallas Mavericks, where he was a scout the last two seasons. The former head coach of the Texas Legends of the NBA G League (2015-16), Van Exel also has coaching experience with the Memphis Grizzlies (2016-19), Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14) and Texas Southern University (2009-10).

The 1998 NBA All-Star played 13 years in the league (1993-2006) with the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. In 880 career regular season games (670 starts), he averaged 14.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 32.9 minutes (.405 FG%, .357 3FG%, .794 FT%). He also saw action in 76 playoff games (27 starting assignments), averaging 13.6 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 31.4 minutes.

The native of Kenosha, WI started his collegiate career at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, TX) before spending his final two seasons at University of Cincinnati, where he was named Associated Press Third-Team All-American as a senior. Van Exel was selected by the Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft.

Atlanta Hawks sign Gorgui Dieng

The Atlanta Hawks have signed center Gorgui Dieng.

“With the signing of Gorgui, we’ve added more size and depth to our frontcourt rotation. He’s an experienced big with length who can space the floor and defend,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk.

Dieng, a 6’10 center, played in 38 games (one start) last season with the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs, averaging 6.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.5 minutes (.521 FG%, career-bests of .429 3FG% and .866 FT%). In 553 career regular season games (205 starting assignments) with the Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Spurs, the eight-year veteran has averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes (.501 FG%, .357 3FG%, .793 FT%). He has five games of postseason experience (with Minnesota in 2017-18), averaging 3.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.0 minutes.

The native of Senegal was selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by Utah before being traded to the Timberwolves on draft night. He won the 2013 NCAA Championship in his junior season at Louisville, when he was also named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and All-Big East First Team.

Three-team NBA trade sends Tristan Thompson to Kings

The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has acquired guard Delon Wright as part of a three-team transaction with the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings. Kris Dunn, Bruno Fernando and a 2023 second round pick go to Boston, while Sacramento receives Tristan Thompson.

The second-round pick being conveyed is Portland’s own second-round pick that Atlanta had received from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a trade for Lou Williams on March 25, 2021.

“One of our priorities entering the offseason was to solidify the backup point guard spot. Delon is a consistent two-way guard who has been a part of several successful teams. We think he’s a great fit here.” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk. “I’d also like to thank Bruno and Kris for their contributions to the Hawks, and I want to wish them well as they continue their careers.”

Wright appeared in 63 games (39 starts) last season with Detroit and Sacramento, averaging career-highs of 10.2 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals in a career-best 27.7 minutes (.463 FG%, .372 3FG%, .802 FT%). He scored 10-or-more points 30 times and 20-or-better six times, recording double figure assists twice. Wright ranked tied for seventh in the NBA in spg.

In 334 career regular season games (62 starts) with Toronto, Memphis, Dallas, Detroit and Sacramento, the 6’5 guard has compiled 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 21.3 minutes (.453 FG%, .350 3FG%, .792 FT%). In 32 postseason contests with the Raptors and Mavericks, he’s averaged 4.4 points, 1.4 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 12.5 minutes (.467 FG%, .400 3FG%, .756 FT%).

Selected by Toronto in the first round (20th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft, the native of Los Angeles played his final two collegiate seasons at Utah after transferring from City College of San Francisco. In 68 career games (all starts) with the Utes, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks in 34.8 minutes. He was the recipient of the 2015 Bob Cousy award, given to the nation’s top point guard. Wright earned All-Pac 12 First Team and Pac 12 All-Defensive Team honors in both of his seasons with Utah.

Wright’s brother, Dorell, played 11 seasons in the NBA with Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Portland.

# TrueToAtlanta #

Atlanta Hawks sign rookies Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper

The Atlanta Hawks a few days ago signed rookie draft picks Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper. Cooper’s contract is a two-way contract.

Johnson, the Hawks’ first round pick (20th overall) in the 2021 NBA Draft, appeared in 13 games last season (eight starts) during his freshman season at Duke, averaging 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 21.4 minutes (.523 FG%, .444 3FG%, .632 FT%).

In his collegiate debut on Nov. 28 vs. Coppin State, the 6’9 Johnson tallied 19 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in 35 minutes (8-8 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 2-2 FTs). On Jan. 19 at Pitt, he put in 24 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks and two steals in 33 minutes (8-15 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 7-10 FTs). In a Jan. 26 contest against Georgia Tech, Johnson scored 18 points on 7-11 FGs and 4-6 FTs in 24 minutes, adding six rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks.

Johnson began his high school career at Sun Prairie High School (WI), where he put in 18.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.5 blocks, leading the Cardinals to a 25-2 mark and an appearance in the state semifinals. He spent his final two seasons at Nicolet High School (WI), averaging 24.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a senior. He is a native of Milwaukee, WI.

The 6’1 Cooper, selected by the Hawks in the second round (48th overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft, appeared in 12 games as a freshman last season at Auburn and averaged 20.2 points, 8.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 33.1 minutes. He scored in double figures in all 12 contests, including a career-best 28 points twice (Jan. 13 at Georgia and Jan. 26 vs. Missouri). He is one of two NCAA Division I freshman in the last 30 years (joining Trae Young) to average 20 points and 8 assists per game.

Cooper played his high school ball at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, where he led the team to the first state title in school history as a junior in 2018-19 and has his jersey retired. He is a former Mr. Georgia Basketball and Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. He was born in Newark, NJ before moving to the Atlanta area. His sister, Te’a, plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

Only players with three-or-fewer years of NBA experience are permitted to sign two-way contracts. Per league rules, teams are allowed to have up to two two-way players on their roster at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular season roster. A two-way player for the Hawks will spend time with the team’s NBA G League Affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, but can be on the Atlanta Hawks’ active list for up to 50 games during the 2021-22 regular season.

Atlanta Hawks sign Trae Young to contract extension

The Atlanta Hawks yesterday announced the team has signed guard Trae Young to a contract extension, which begins with the 2022-23 season.

“This is a great day for the Hawks franchise and the city of Atlanta. Trae is a special player and person who from Day One, embraced being a leader on the court and in our community. We are excited to have him as the cornerstone of our program long-term as we work toward our goal of bringing a championship to Atlanta,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “according to people familiar with the situation, Young’s is a max deal for five years and as much as $207 million, if he makes an All-NBA team next season.”

“I’m grateful to the Hawks, the Ressler family, my teammates and the entire Atlanta community for embracing me from the very beginning,” Young said. “I’m honored and excited to keep building with this great organization.”

Most recently, Young helped lead the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in Atlanta franchise history, averaging 28.8 ppg and 9.5 apg during the team’s run, becoming the first player in NBA history to post at least 20 points and seven-or-more assists in each of his first 13 career playoff games. In Game 1 of the Hawks’ Eastern Conference Finals win (6/23 at MIL), Young finished with a postseason-career-high 48 points, adding 11 assists and seven rebounds in 41 minutes, becoming the first player in league history with at least 45 points and 10 assists in a Conference Finals game.

During the 2020-21 regular season, Young put in 25.3 points (14th in the NBA), 9.4 assists (2nd) and 3.9 rebounds in 33.7 minutes (.438 FG%, .343 3FG%, .886 FT%), leading the NBA in free throws made (484). He was the only qualifying player to average at least 25 ppg and 9 apg.

The Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season, Young became the fastest Hawk (167 career games) to score 4,000 points on 2/17 at Boston. On 1/29 at Washington, Young became the fastest player in league history (159 games) to reach 400 career three-pointers.

In the 2020-21 season opener on 12/23 at Chicago, Young poured in a game-high 37 points on 10-12 FGs, 5-6 3FGs and 12-14 FTs in 26 minutes, setting an NBA record for most points scored by a player who took 12-or-fewer field goal attempts.

Since the start of his rookie season, Young ranks second in the NBA in total assists (1807) and fourth in three-pointers made (1308). He has compiled 63 games of 20-or-more points and 10-or-more assists, second-most in the league (James Harden, 65). His 31 30-point/10-assist contests is also second-most during that span (Harden, 33). Young has 63 career games of 30-or-more points, the most in Hawks franchise history over their first three seasons (Bob Pettit, 58). He has gone for 40-or-more points 16 times in his career, tying LeBron James for the third-most by a player in his first three seasons since 1976-77 (Michael Jordan 44, Shaquille O’Neal 19).

An All-Star starter for the Eastern Conference in 2020, Young appeared in 60 games in 2019-20, averaging 29.6 points (4th in the NBA), 9.3 assists (2nd in the league), 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 35.3 minutes (.437 FG%, .361 3FG%, .860 FT%).

As a rookie in 2018-19, Young was a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after averaging 19.1 points, 8.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 30.9 minutes (.418 FG%, .324 3FG%, .829 FT%) in 81 contests (all starts). Among qualifying rookies, Young ranked 1st in apg, 2nd in ppg and FT%, 3rd in mpg, 6th in spg and 10th in rpg.