Atlanta Hawks fans should be extremely vigilant now that free agency has officially started, as it is expected that deals will start to surface shortly after 6 p.m. on June 30.
The Hawks used a different strategy one summer after they sensationally traded Dejounte Murray to the San Antonio Spurs, sending forward John Collins—the club member with the longest contract—to the Utah Jazz. This move put an end to years of rumors.
But the rumors are persistent, and all the Hawks players (save for Trae Young) are supposedly tradeable for the proper package. Collins paid a price that includes one year’s worth of breathing room under the luxury tax and a $25.3 million trade exception.
With Collins out, De’Andre Hunter appears to be the Hawks’ next stalwart, according to the rumor mill.
The Hawks are $13.4 million below the luxury tax threshold, therefore they can use the full $12.4 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
If not, their greatest chance to add to the roster is to trade for someone else. For this reason, center Clint Capela and even Murray have been discussed a lot, though Murray is supposedly more tradeable than the others.
The contracts of Murray, Saddiq Bey, whom the Hawks acquired at the trade deadline in 2023, and Onyeka Okongwu, who was formerly the sixth overall pick in 2020, can all be extended financially.
Something has to give, it seems.
Hawks’ 2023 unrestricted free agents: Trent Forrest
Browning, Aaron
Fortunately, neither Holiday nor Forrest—who signed a two-way contract last season—pose a flight risk to the Hawks. Holiday was signed in part because of his affinity with former head coach Nate McMillan.
Holiday might return, having been Young’s reliable backup while Murray wasn’t playing.
Nevertheless, Atlanta may want to bolster that position even more after acquiring Kobe Bufkin with a first-round selection.
Hawks free agency tracker: Check back frequently for developments, as talks about potential trades have been going even before the formal free agency window opened on July 1st!
07-01: A trade agreement has been reached by the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Lauren L. Williams reports that in exchange for C. Usman Garuba, G. TyTy Washington, a 2025 second-round pick (via MIN), a 2028 second-round pick, and $1.1 million in cash, Atlanta is sending Houston the draft rights to F. Alpha Kaba (No. 30 overall, 2017).
06-29: The Hawks agree to a contract postponement guarantee with reference to Bruno Fernando. The window to lock in Fernando’s $2.8 million pay for 2023–2024 was set to close on Thursday. Fernando, 27, averaged 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in the previous campaign.
06-29: Hawks offer Garrison Mathews a contract The Hawks acquired Mathews, 26, from the Houston Rockets at the trade deadline in return for Justin Holiday and Frank Kaminsky. He averaged 4.8 points and 1.4 rebounds while shooting 40% from outside the arc in his nine games with the Hawks. His contract is worth $2 million.
06-28: Boston Celtics and Hawks complete their transaction; Atlanta received a 2027 second-round selection in return for C Mouhamed Gueye’s draft rights (No. 39 overall, 2023 NBA Draft). Although it had to wait since the Hawks grabbed the 6-foot-11 Gueye, this deal was finalized on draft night.
On June 28, Trent Forrest gets a qualifying offer from the Hawks. Forrest, 25, averaged 2.3 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in the previous year. He made 23 appearances, including three starts, despite missing his two and only three-point attempts during that period. Being a restricted free agent, the Hawks have first dibs on whatever contract offer sheet he signs.
06-26: Hawks concede G. Donovan Williams Williams, 24, had a two-way contract. He played for the Hawks in two games last season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.0 rebound.