The Atlanta Hawks have officially filled their final two-way roster spot by re-signing guard Keaton Wallace. The announcement was made on Friday, highlighting Wallace’s return after a productive 2024-25 campaign.
Wallace initially joined the team midseason and quickly made a notable impact, particularly during the Hawks’ NBA Cup run. His standout performance came in a crucial win over the Boston Celtics, where he stepped up in the absence of star guard Trae Young, who was sidelined due to an Achilles injury.
Wallace Showcases Versatility, Endurance, and Historic Performance in Breakout Hawks Season
Standing at 6-foot-3, Wallace appeared in 31 games for the Hawks this past season, including five starts. His regular season averages were modest at 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. However, when given the starting role, he excelled, averaging 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 2.2 steals.
His most memorable game came on April 13 against the Orlando Magic, when he posted his first career triple-double with 15 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds, along with five steals. That performance made him the first player in franchise history to record 15+ points, 15+ assists, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ steals in a single game.
Keaton Wallace (NBA)Wallace demonstrated significant commitment and endurance toward the end of the season. He played in four games over four consecutive days for both the Hawks and their G-League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.
Over those four days, Wallace logged more than 86 minutes of action and traveled over 2,200 miles, showcasing his value and adaptability across both levels of competition. This type of workload underscored his importance to the organization and likely contributed to his re-signing.
Hawks Embrace Youth Movement Amid Major Offseason Changes and Roster Restructuring Efforts
The Hawks’ roster is beginning to take final shape following a flurry of offseason activity. The main roster now includes a mixture of returning contributors, newly acquired players, and promising young talent.
While some players, like Mouhamed Gueye and Vit Krejci, are on non-guaranteed deals, core names such as Trae Young, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jalen Johnson remain central to the team’s structure. Notably, Wallace will join Eli N’diaye and Jacob Toppin on a two-way contract, allowing for flexibility between the NBA and G-League.
Atlanta has seen considerable changes to its personnel during the offseason. Notable additions include Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher.
Meanwhile, the team has parted ways with several veterans, such as Clint Capela (traded to the Rockets), Caris LeVert (signed with the Pistons), and Larry Nance Jr. (signed with the Cavaliers). These moves indicate a youth-oriented shift, possibly pointing toward a rebuild or retooling phase with an eye on long-term success.
Atlanta Hawks Roster Status (Post-Wallace Signing)
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| In | Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kobe Bufkin, Dyson Daniels, Nikola Djurisic, Mouhamed Gueye, Caleb Houstan, Jalen Johnson, Luke Kennard, Vit Krejci*, Asa Newell, Onyeka Okongwu, Kristaps Porzingis, Zaccharie Risacher, Trae Young |
| Two-way Contracts | Eli N’diaye, Jacob Toppin, Keaton Wallace |
| Out | Dominick Barlow, Clint Capela, Caris LeVert, Terance Mann, Garrison Mathews, Larry Nance Jr., Georges Niang, David Roddy |
