Hawks Face Roster Deadline Decisions This Weekend
The Atlanta Hawks currently have 17 players on their roster, exceeding the 15-player limit, and need to move at least two. The weekend is pivotal because today is the waive-and-stretch deadline, and tomorrow Devin Carter becomes eligible to be traded. The Hawks have made several offseason moves but must resolve the roster crunch before training camp.
The Hawks' offseason activity has left them with a surplus of guaranteed contracts, forcing front-office decisions before training camp opens in roughly a month. Among the players acquired this summer are Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Devin Carter, and Ryan Nembhard, while the team also re-signed CJ McCollum and Jock Landale and drafted three rookies, including Kingston Flemings with the eighth overall pick.
Buddy Hield stands out as the most likely waive-and-stretch candidate given his $9.6 million salary and expected absence from the rotation. Mouhamed Gueye's $2.4 million non-guaranteed deal makes him a simpler cut, while Nembhard cannot be traded until September 19th. Corey Kispert's contract makes waiving him financially impractical.
This roster crunch could affect the Hawks' competitive trajectory and the careers of fringe players, as the team must decide who earns one of the final roster spots. Fans may see ripple effects in trade activity across the league, since other teams could acquire Carter or Hield at reduced cost. The decisions also signal how aggressively Atlanta prioritizes flexibility versus immediate depth, which could shape their season outlook and influence how other front offices approach similar roster overflows.