The Hawks Just Made a Sneaky Smart Signing — Don’t Sleep on It
Okay Hawks fans, listen up — because Atlanta just pulled off one of those lowkey moves that won’t make SportsCenter, but will make a big difference down the line.
The front office just signed Nikola Đurišić, the 43rd overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft, to a 3-year minimum deal worth around $5.95 million.
Boring? Maybe at first glance.
But once you peel back the layers… this thing is a salary cap masterclass.
So What’s the Deal with Đurišić?
Đurišić is a 6'8" wing from Serbia who played last season with the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G-League affiliate. He averaged:
10.5 points
3.5 assists
3.1 rebounds
Not bad at all for a young, developing wing. Now, his shooting splits weren’t exactly lights out — he hit just 37.9% from the field and about 20% from three — but again, development is the name of the game.
Why the Hawks Signed Him Now
Two big reasons:
1. He fits the mold.
Atlanta is clearly targeting young, long, versatile wings they can groom. Đurišić checks all those boxes.
2. His contract is an absolute W.
Only the first year is guaranteed and it uses the second-round pick exception, which is key for cap flexibility. His cap hit next season? Just $1.27 million. That’s a steal in NBA terms.
Why This Move Matters
By locking him into this smart, team-friendly deal, the Hawks now have enough flexibility to add two more veterans on minimum contracts without crossing the luxury tax line.
Translation: They can develop Đurišić and keep adding win-now pieces.
Who Could Be Next?
Don’t be shocked if the Hawks go vet shopping soon. Some names to keep an eye on:
Kevin Love (if bought out by Utah) – rebounding, playoff experience, stretch-four vibes
Wesley Matthews – 3&D specialist, perfect locker room presence
Bismack Biyombo – rim protection insurance behind Porzingis & Okongwu
Bol Bol – 7’2 unicorn potential with upside still waiting to be tapped
Ben Simmons – wild card, but a minimum flyer on him? Why not?
The Bigger Picture
This signing isn’t supposed to make headlines — and that’s the point.
It’s a depth-and-development move that lets the Hawks do more with less. They're stacking chess moves while half the league is playing checkers.
Don’t underestimate how important this flexibility will be when it’s time to:
Extend Trae Young
Lock down Dyson Daniels
Or chase a big-name free agent in 2026
This is long game stuff — and the Hawks are playing it well.
Final Thought
Đurišić probably won’t crack the rotation right away — and that’s fine. Expect him to spend a lot of time in College Park. But when you’re building a contender, you need pieces like this. Cheap, flexible, high-upside moves that let you keep cooking.
So, let’s hear it from you:
Do you think Đurišić will eventually break into the rotation, or is this just a savvy stash-and-develop move?
Drop a comment below 👇
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Until next time…
Let’s go Hawks. 🏀
