Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Hawks sign De’Andre Hunter to contract extension

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward De’Andre Hunter to a contract extension, which begins with the 2023-24 season.

Hunter’s Hawks extension is reportedly a four-year, $95 million deal.

In 53 games (52 starts) last season, the 6’7 forward averaged 13.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 29.8 minutes (.442 FG%, .379 3FG%, .765 FT%). He scored 10-or-more points in 41 of his 53 games, including 11 outings of 20-or-more. Hunter hit double digits in 14 straight games from 3/3-3/20, the second-longest such streak of his career.

In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Miami, Hunter poured in a career-best 35 points on 11-21 FGs, adding 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists in 43 minutes. He became the sixth Hawk in playoff history to finish with at least 35 points and 11 rebounds in a postseason contest.

On 11/3 vs. Brooklyn, he recorded 26 points on 10-11 FGs (6-6 3FGs) in 33 minutes, becoming one of seven players in the NBA last season to shoot perfect from deep while connecting on six-or-more triples and one of only five players in franchise history to do so.

During the 2020-21 campaign, Hunter posted 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.5 minutes (.484 FG%, .326 3FG%, .859 FT%) in 23 games (19 starts) and was selected to the NBA Rising Stars roster. He scored in double digits 18 times, including seven games with 20-or-more points.

In 63 appearances (62 starts) as a rookie in 2019-20, he posted 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 32.0 minutes (.410 FG%, .355 3FG%, .764 FT%). Among qualifying NBA rookies, Hunter ranked first in mpg and total minutes (2,018), fifth in FT%, t5th in 3FG%, 6th in rpg, 7th in FG%, t7th in ppg and 12th in apg.

Acquired by the Hawks on July 7, 2019 from the New Orleans Pelicans, Hunter was originally selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Hawks add Jared Rhoden off waivers

The Atlanta Hawks claimed guard Jared Rhoden off waivers, it was announced today. He was waived by Portland on October 12, 2022.

Rhoden appeared in three preseason games with the Trail Blazers this past preseason, averaging 6.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 13.2 minutes (.625 FG%, .667 3FG%, 1.000 FT%). He also saw action in five NBA 2K23 Summer League contests in Las Vegas (all starts) and three California Classic Summer League games in San Francisco (two starts) this past summer with the Sacramento Kings. In eight total games (seven starts), he averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.2 minutes (.451 FG%, .308 3FG%, .867 FT%).

Undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, the 6-6 guard played four years at Seton Hall (2018-22), appearing in 122 games (72 starts), owning collegiate career averages of 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 26.0 minutes (.407 FG%, .312 3FG%, .754 FT%). As a senior, he was named to the 2022 All-BIG EAST First Team, USBWA All-District Team and NABC All-District Second Team. Rhoden left Seton Hall as one of only 12 Pirates to record more than 1,200 points and 600 career rebounds.

Hawks exercise contract options on Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the fourth-year (2023-24) contract option on Onyeka Okongwu along with the third-year (2023-24) option on Jalen Johnson.

Entering his third season with the Hawks, Okongwu averaged 8.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 assists in 20.7 minutes in 2021-22 (.690 FG%, .727 FT%), appearing in 48 games (six starts). He scored in double figures 17 times, pulled down 10-or-more rebounds twice and led the team in rebounding five times.

Okongwu’s 1.3 blocks per game marked the fourth-highest average by a second-year Hawks player since at least the 1973-74 season. He recorded at least one block in seven straight games three times, tying Clint Capela (twice) for the longest streak by a Hawk last season. In five games (one start) during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, he put in 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 21.6 minutes (.563 FG%, .800 FT%).

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). He scored in double digits seven times, compiled 10-or-more rebounds twice and recorded two double-doubles. In 18 games off the bench during Atlanta’s postseason run to the Eastern Conference Finals, he averaged 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.2 minutes (.548 FG%, .667 FT%).

Okongwu was selected by the Hawks sixth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.

In his rookie campaign in 2021-22, Johnson played in 22 games off the bench for Atlanta, averaging 2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.5 minutes (.537 FG%, .714 FT%), scoring in double figures twice.

He also made 21 starts last season with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League and averaged 21.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks in 36.2 minutes (.470 FG%, .368 3FG%). He registered 13 double-doubles for the Skyhawks, including a 21-point, 23-rebound performance on 11/21 vs. Delaware. Johnson scored 10-or-more points in 19 of his 21 games with College Park, including two 30-plus point performances.

Johnson was selected 20th overall by Atlanta in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Hawks sign Armoni Brooks

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Armoni Brooks.

Brooks appeared in 54 games (11 starts) during the 2021-22 season with Houston (41 games) and Toronto (13 games), tallying 5.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 15.6 minutes. He also appeared in four playoff games with the Raptors. Brooks saw action in two contests with the College Park Skyhawks before earning an NBA Call-Up to Toronto, averaging 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.0 blocks in 29.6 minutes (.406 FG%, .444 3FG%).

Undrafted in 2019, the 6-3 guard signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets on April 3, 2021, appearing in 20 games (five starts), notching 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.0 minutes (.406 FG%). He put in a career-high 24 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 12, 2021 and pulled down a career-best 10 rebounds against the Utah Jazz on April 21, 2021. In total, Brooks has seen action in 74 games (16 starts) over two NBA seasons, averaging 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.4 minutes.

Brooks, who appeared in four preseason games with Atlanta during the 2019-20 campaign, has appeared in 60 NBA G League contests, suiting up for College Park (2019-20, 2021-22) and Rio Grande Valley, affiliate of the Houston Rockets (2020-21). The Round Rock, Texas, native owns NBA G League averages of 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.6 minutes (.440 FG%, .392 3FG%, .860 FT%).

The 2017-18 American Athletic Conference Sixth Man of the Year, Brooks played collegiately at Houston from 2016-19, appearing in 100 games (40 starts), recording 9.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21.8 minutes (.415 FG%, .397 3FG%, .711 FT%). During the 2018-19 season, he was named to the NABC All-District 25 Second Team, the American Second Team, and the American Championship All-Tournament Team.

Atlanta Hawks sign Malik Ellison

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Malik Ellison.

It’s likely a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Ellison to Hawks training camp.

Ellison, the son of Savannah native and former No. 1 overall pick Pervis Ellison, appeared in 40 total games (14 starts) with the College Park Skyhawks during the 2021-22 NBA G League season, averaging 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 24.9 minutes (.471 FG%, .383 3FG%, .754 FT%). He signed a 10-day contract with Atlanta on Dec. 25, 2021, becoming one of six Skyhawks to earn an NBA Call-Up last season.

The 6-6 guard saw action in four NBA 2K23 Summer League contests and two Salt Lake City Summer League matches, suiting up for the Philadelphia 76ers. In total, he appeared in six games (three starts), notching 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 19.1 minutes (.625 FG%, 1.000 FT%).

Ellison played collegiately at St. John’s (2015-17), Pittsburgh (2018-19) and Hartford (2019-20). As a senior at Hartford, he appeared in 23 games (all starts), registering 18.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34.8 minutes, garnering America East First Team honors (.514 FG%, .630 FT%). Throughout his collegiate career, he saw action in 112 contests (74 starts), notching 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.8 minutes (.455 FG%, .304 3FG%, .612 FT%).

Atlanta Hawks will hold open practice for fans on September 28, 2022

The Atlanta Hawks today announced the date and time for their 2022 Open Practice: Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at State Farm Arena.

The team’s Open Practice, run by Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan, is a chance for fans to watch a real NBA practice and get a first look at the team’s 2022-23 roster, which features All-NBA Third Team guard Trae Young and 2022 NBA All-Star guard Dejounte Murray.

“The buzz surrounding the Hawks this offseason has been amazing, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome fans back to the award-winning State Farm Arena,” said Hawks CEO Steve Koonin. “Our Open Practice presented by Sharecare is an incredible opportunity to see our team’s newest players and learn about the hard work that our players put in on a daily basis.”

Members from Hawks Entertainment teams including PA announcer Big Tigger, in-game host Shamea Morton and DJ MoHawk will be on site. Harry the Hawk, the ATL Hawks Dancers and the Flight Crew will join them.

Fans should enter State Farm Arena through Gates 1-5 as doors will open at 6 p.m. Seating is general admission. Fans can purchase tickets for $5 at Ticketmaster.com. All ticket proceeds will go to the Atlanta Hawks Foundation.

Atlanta Hawks sign Jarrett Culver to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Jarrett Culver to a two-way contract.

Culver comes to Atlanta from the Memphis Grizzlies where he appeared in 37 games this past season, averaging 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes. The 6-6 guard saw action in three postseason games with the Grizzlies, tallying 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.3 minutes. He also saw action in four games (all starts) with the Memphis Hustle, NBA G League affiliate of the Grizzlies, notching 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 33.1 minutes.

Drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Culver’s draft rights were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 6, 2019. Over his three-year career, the Lubbock, Texas native has suited up for the Timberwolves (2019-21) and Grizzlies (2021-22), appearing in 134 games (42 starts), averaging 6.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.5 minutes (.401 FG%).

Culver played collegiately at Texas Tech for two seasons (2017-19), seeing action in 75 games (58 starts), registering 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.5 minutes (.459 FG%, .341 3FG%, .687 FT%). The 2019 Big 12 Player of the Year led the Red Raiders to the 2019 NCAA Championship Game as a sophomore, their first-ever Final Four and championship game appearance, en route to being named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team. In his freshman season, Culver guided Texas Tech to its first Elite Eight in program history. Culver, who finished his Red Raider career with 1,119 total points, became the first player in Texas Tech history to pour in at least 1,000 points as a freshman-sophomore.

Atlanta Hawks waive Chaundee Brown Jr.

The Atlanta Hawks have waived guard Chaundee Brown Jr.

Brown Jr. was signed to a two-way contract on April 9, 2022. He originally signed with the Hawks to a 10-day contract on December 27, 2021 and appeared in three games, averaging 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 27.7 minutes (.400 3FG%, .833 FT%). He also played in two contests with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.