The Atlanta Hawks announced the team has signed guard Trae Young to a contract extension, which begins with the 2022-23 season. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“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.
John Collins
The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has re-signed forward John Collins to a long-term contract. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We have a great appreciation for John and all he provides for our team; he is an incredible team player who brings the type of positive energy and passion that is contagious and impacts winning. John is beloved by his teammates, our coaches, and our fans and we are happy that he will continue to grow along with our young core,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk.
“It’s a blessing to stay where I started my career and continue to give my all for the fans and for the city of Atlanta. Last season was just a start for us and I know even better things are ahead,” Collins said. “I want to thank the Hawks for their belief in me and I can’t wait to get started again.”
John Collins
In 63 starts last season, Collins averaged 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks in 29.3 minutes (.556 FG%, .399 3FG%, .833 FT%). He finished 18th in the NBA in FG%, tied for 23rd in rpg and 26th in bpg. He scored 10-19 points 35 times, 20-29 points 14 times, and 30-39 seven times, and pulled down double-digit rebounds on 16 occasions. He led the Hawks in scoring 11 times, rebounding nine times, steals seven times, and blocks 21 times. During the Hawks’ recent run to the Eastern Conference Finals, Collins put in 13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds in 32.0 minutes (.549 FG%, .357 3FG%, .833 FT%), starting all 18 contests.
His 44 career 20-point/10-rebound games since being drafted are the most by any player in the 2017 NBA Draft class. Collins is Atlanta’s career leader in FG% (minimum 1000 FGM) at .567 FG%.
Lou Williams
The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has re-signed guard, Lou Williams. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Lou proved invaluable to our team after we acquired him last season, providing scoring, ballhandling, and leadership off our bench,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk. “He’s a respected veteran who our guys really look up to and enjoy playing with, and we’re certainly pleased that he’s continuing his career in an Atlanta uniform.”
In 66 games last season (24 with the Hawks and 42 with the Clippers), the 6’1 guard averaged 11.3 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in 21.6 minutes (.410 FG%, .399 3FG%, .867 FT%).
Williams starred at South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, where he was named Georgia’s Mr. Basketball in 2005, in addition to First-Team Parade All-American and Naismith Prep Player of the Year honors.
Delon Wright
The Atlanta Hawks 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.
Gorgui Dieng
The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has signed center Gorgui Dieng (pronounced GOR-ghee Jeng). Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“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.
Solomon Hill
The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has re-signed forward Solomon Hill. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“Solo played a variety of roles for us last season and was always ready when his number was called. He’s an invaluable veteran who contributed to our success both on and off the floor, and we’re happy to bring him back,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk.
An eight-year veteran, Hill appeared in 71 games last season for the Hawks (16 starts), averaging 4.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21.3 minutes. He scored in double figures five times and led or tied for the team lead in steals 13 times. He also appeared in 14 postseason games during the Hawks’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals, including three starts.
Jalen Johnson & Sharife Cooper
The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has signed rookie draft picks Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper. Cooper’s contract is a two-way contract. Per team policy, the terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
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 freshmen 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.
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