RADIO
Henri Veesaar Expected to Miss 2026-27 Season with Torn ACL
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (knee) suffered a torn ACL during a Sept. 15 workout and is expected to miss the 2026-27 season, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The 22-year-old will undergo surgery in October after joining Atlanta via a draft-night trade for the No. 52 pick. Veesaar averaged 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks at North Carolina while shooting 42.6 percent from deep. His absence leaves Onyeka Okongwu and Jock Landale atop Atlanta's center depth chart, while Zuby Ejiofor could see more opportunity with Mouhamed Gueye (foot) also recovering.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Buddy Hield Surfaces in Hawks-Hornets Trade Talks
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield has surfaced in on-and-off trade talks with the Charlotte Hornets, with Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reporting that discussions have included Dorian Finney-Smith. Hield averaged 7.6 points in 16.1 minutes across 51 games last season while shooting a career-low 34.9 percent from three. He barely featured after arriving in Atlanta, and the additions of Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins add more competition for perimeter minutes. Charlotte is crowded on the wing as well, with Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and Liam McNeeley among the options. A trade alone would not revive Hield's fantasy value; he still needs a steady rotation role and a bounce-back shooting season.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
William Baker Joins Hawks on Camp Deal
The Atlanta Hawks have signed center William Baker to a training camp deal, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot. The 25-year-old went undrafted in 2024 out of LSU and played for the Osceola Magic last season, averaging 9.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 18.5 minutes over 43 G League appearances while shooting 62.7 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three. That is a useful skill set for a 6-foot-11 big, but Atlanta already has plenty of frontcourt depth behind starting center Onyeka Okongwu. Baker is more likely to spend most of his time with the College Park Skyhawks than crack the Hawks' regular-season rotation.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Ettore Messina Joins Hawks as Consultant
The Atlanta Hawks are adding Ettore Messina as a consultant, according to Eurohoops' Aris Barkas, who relayed a report from Walter Fuochi of La Repubblica. Messina reunites with Quin Snyder, who worked under him as an assistant at CSKA Moscow before becoming an NBA head coach. The 66-year-old previously consulted for the Lakers and spent five seasons as a Spurs assistant under Gregg Popovich, with four EuroLeague titles on his resume. He is expected to split next season between Atlanta and Italian television work, so this reads more like a steadying advisory move than a fantasy-altering staff change. Atlanta's post-Trae Young offense should still run heavily through Jalen Johnson, who averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.2 steals across 72 games last season. Messina's arrival does not threaten Johnson's workload or materially change the outlook for Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Source: Aris Barkas
Source: Aris Barkas
Hawks Waive Lamont Butler
The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Lamont Butler (knee) on Friday, one day after signing him, and on the same day they cut Devin Carter, Hawks reporter Brad Rowland reports. Butler's brief return always looked procedural, with the likely goal of keeping him in the organization's G-League pipeline. His first pro season never got moving after he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee during the College Park Skyhawks' preseason process, costing him all of 2025-26. The former San Diego State and Kentucky guard flashed in his lone preseason outing last October, posting 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes. Atlanta still has a standard-roster crunch to solve, but Butler was not a realistic threat for NBA minutes behind CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Kingston Flemings, and Ryan Nembhard. There is no fantasy impact here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Devin Carter Floated as Knicks' Guard Insurance
Guard Devin Carter could make sense as backcourt insurance for the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, Kris Pursiainen of Knicks Film School suggested. This comes after Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that Boston has shown interest in Carter following his release from Atlanta, so New York should be treated as a logical fit rather than a reported suitor. Carter has a tie to head coach Mike Brown, who coached the Sacramento team that drafted him No. 13 overall in 2024. The 24-year-old averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.9 steals in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. New York already has Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Kolek in the guard mix, but Miles McBride missed 28 games after sports hernia surgery. Carter would still need the right landing spot to become more than a watch-list name.
Source: Kris Pursiainen
Source: Kris Pursiainen
Devin Carter Could Land in Boston
The Boston Celtics have shown interest in signing guard Devin Carter once he clears waivers, according to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer. Atlanta waived the 24-year-old guard on Friday, a little over two months after acquiring him and a 2033 second-round pick from Sacramento. The former No. 13 pick never found steady footing with the Kings, averaging 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes across 38 games last season. His delayed rookie debut after left shoulder surgery did not help, and left ankle and right calf issues cost him more time in 2025-26. Boston has Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Mike Conley ahead of him, with one two-way slot open, so Carter's path would likely be developmental. His 29-point career night in April showed some scoring pop, but there is no immediate fantasy case here.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Hawks Waive Devin Carter
The Atlanta Hawks have waived guard Devin Carter, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. Atlanta acquired the 13th overall pick of the 2024 draft from Sacramento at the end of June along with a 2033 second-round pick and declined his fourth-year option, valued at $7,370,897 for 2027-28, as part of the transaction. The move was roster math more than evaluation. The Hawks carried 16 guaranteed contracts into Friday and had to reach the 15-man regular-season limit, and cutting Carter got them there without touching the rotation Quin Snyder plans to use. Ryan Nembhard's arrival in the Luguentz Dort deal had already pushed Carter behind CJ McCollum and rookie Kingston Flemings in the guard room. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes over 38 games last season, never enough volume to matter in standard leagues. He isn't eligible to re-sign with the Kings, and with two teams having moved on inside a year, his next deal likely comes with G-League time attached.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Hawks Sign Lamont Butler
The Atlanta Hawks signed guard Lamont Butler on Thursday after waiving Keyshawn Bryant. Butler is back for another stint with Atlanta after briefly joining the organization last fall, when he was waived before the season and later landed with the College Park Skyhawks. His first pro year never got going, as a torn left ACL and meniscus during the preseason process cost him the entire 2025-26 campaign. The former San Diego State and Kentucky guard averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 26.0 minutes during his lone season with the Wildcats. Terms were not disclosed, but the move appears procedural, with Butler likely headed back toward College Park if waived. CJ McCollum, Kingston Flemings, Ryan Nembhard, and Devin Carter leave him buried in Atlanta's backcourt, so there is no fantasy value here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Hawks Waive Keyshawn Bryant
The Atlanta Hawks waived forward Keyshawn Bryant on Thursday, one day after adding him to the training camp roster. The move coincided with Atlanta signing guard Lamont Butler and appears procedural, with Bryant likely headed toward the College Park Skyhawks if he clears waivers. The former South Carolina and South Florida forward has three seasons of G-League experience, averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18.9 minutes across 40 career appearances. His best stretch came with the Windy City Bulls in 2025-26, when he averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds and dropped 41 points against Westchester. Bryant never had a clean path through an Atlanta wing group featuring Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins, so there is no fantasy impact here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Hawks Promote Peter Dinwiddie to Executive VP of Basketball Operations
The Atlanta Hawks have promoted Peter Dinwiddie to executive vice president of basketball operations, added Tim Bontemps as a strategic adviser, and elevated Maxwell Kupchak to director of cap strategy and player personnel. Dinwiddie, who previously held the same title in Philadelphia, becomes a leading voice under president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh after Bryson Graham left for Chicago. The fantasy angle is roster clarity. Atlanta still has 17 standard contracts and must get to 15 before opening night, with Corey Kispert, Buddy Hield, Devin Carter, Mouhamed Gueye, and Ryan Nembhard all potential roster-crunch names. Kupchak's expanded cap role also matters with Onyeka Okongwu extension-eligible on Oct. 1. Any consolidation move would sharpen the rotation behind Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Kingston Flemings Faces Early Backup Role in Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings projects to open training camp behind CJ McCollum, but Zach Langley of Soaring Down South notes that his fit with Jalen Johnson may be the more important long-term angle. Johnson became Atlanta's offensive hub after the Trae Young trade, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 35.2 minutes across 72 games. Still, his first-round dip against New York showed why Atlanta could use another organizer. Flemings, the No. 8 overall pick, recorded 27 assists against nine turnovers over four Summer League games, giving Quin Snyder a potential pick-and-roll option who could shift Johnson into more finishing chances. McCollum's one-year, $21 million extension keeps Flemings in a backup role for now, but his passing gives him a cleaner fantasy runway if Atlanta leans into a younger backcourt.
Source: Zach Langley
Source: Zach Langley
Luguentz Dort Says Hawks Transition Has Been Smooth
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Luguentz Dort said he called Nickeil Alexander-Walker right away after learning of his July trade from Oklahoma City, according to Thunder Wire's Clemente Almanza. The two were high school teammates and longtime competitors, and Dort said Alexander-Walker has helped him adjust to Atlanta's style of play. Dort backed that chemistry Monday with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting in Canada's 97-92 qualifying win over Argentina, while Alexander-Walker added 26. Still, Dort is coming off a quiet NBA season, averaging 8.3 points on a career-low 38.5 percent shooting. With Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels also in Atlanta's perimeter mix, Dort's fantasy value remains tied mostly to steals, threes, and defensive minutes.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Buddy Hield Leads Bahamas Past Uruguay with 28 Points
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield posted a team-high 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Bahamas' 103-94 win over Uruguay on Thursday in the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers. The 33-year-old shot 8-for-16 from the field, 6-for-11 from three, and 6-for-7 at the line in 32 minutes, though he also committed four turnovers. The shooting burst fits Hield's profile, but it does little to change his fantasy outlook in Atlanta. He appeared in only seven regular-season games after February's trade to the Hawks, averaging 5.1 points in 7.3 minutes. With CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luguentz Dort, and Dyson Daniels ahead of him in a crowded perimeter mix, Hield has no clear fantasy path unless injuries or another move opens minutes.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Leads Canada's World Cup Qualifying Roster
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker headlines Canada's roster for Window 4 of FIBA World Cup qualifying, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. Canada opens the second round Thursday against Panama in Panama City before hosting Argentina on Monday in Quebec City. The reigning Most Improved Player is the top name in a stripped-down group, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, and Andrew Nembhard sitting out. Hawks teammate Luguentz Dort and veteran big man Kelly Olynyk are also in camp. The qualifiers do not carry fantasy value, but Alexander-Walker's workload is worth noting after he averaged 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds last season. Atlanta's guard and wing mix now includes Dort, CJ McCollum, and Buddy Hield, so his real fantasy outlook will depend on how those touches shake out in camp.
Source: Josh Lewenberg
Source: Josh Lewenberg
