The Atlanta Hawks have a slight roster problem. Following their blockbuster three-team deal with the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder that brings Luguentz Dort to Atlanta and sends out Zaccharie Risacher, the roster has ballooned to 17 standard contracts.
That means two players must be moved before opening night. How the Hawks handle this remains to be seen, but change is coming.
The challenge is deciding who no longer fits. The Hawks suddenly have depth across the backcourt and wings, with several players competing for the same minutes, and a front office that appears committed to improving around its core of Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, and the recently extended CJ McCollum.
Here are the five players who seem to be on the thinnest ice and most likely to get cut.
5. Ryan Nembhard
2025-26 Season Statistics: 6.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.0 BPG
Contract Status: $2,150,917 (2026-27)
Ryan Nembhard hasn’t even had the chance to unpack his bags before finding himself in an uncertain situation. Acquired from Dallas as part of the Zaccharie Risacher blockbuster, the talented 23-year-old point guard entered a roster that was already crowded before his arrival.
The problem isn’t necessarily Nembhard’s talent since he shot 41.5% FG and 35.6% 3-PT FG in 60 games in his rookie season last year. Atlanta suddenly has multiple guards competing for minutes, including CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, and first-round pick (No. 8 overall) Kingston Flemings. There’s only one basketball, and somebody is going to be left out.
Making matters even more complicated, NBA trade restrictions prevent Atlanta from immediately flipping him elsewhere until September 19th, 2026. If the Hawks need to become roster compliant before those restrictions expire, Nembhard could become one of the sacrificial lambs after getting waived.
4. Mouhamed Gueye
2025-26 Season Statistics: 4.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Contract Status: $2,406,205 (2026-27)
Injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time for Mouhamed Gueye, who played 15.3 MPG over 77 games last season. The 23-year-old forward recently suffered a fractured foot that is expected to sideline him for several months, making it difficult for Atlanta to justify carrying him while trying to compete immediately.
Availability matters, and Gueye simply won’t have it for a long time. His contract also works against him.
Because his salary isn’t fully guaranteed, the Hawks can create financial flexibility with relatively little consequence. That’s an attractive option for any front office looking to maximize roster efficiency.
Add in the arrivals of young frontcourt prospects like Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar, and Gueye suddenly finds himself buried on the depth chart before he even returns to the court.
3. Devin Carter
2025-26 Season Statistics: 8.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Contract Status: $5,158,080 (2026-27), $7,370,896 (Team Option In 2027-28), $10,931,038 (Qualifying Offer In 2028-29)
Devin Carter’s arrival in Atlanta created another traffic jam. The former Sacramento Kings guard is a talented young player who deserves an opportunity, but the Hawks suddenly have far more guards than available rotation spots.
Development only happens with minutes, and Atlanta can’t realistically provide enough opportunities for everyone. Carter averaged 18.4 MPG in 38 games last season, shooting 41.4% FG and 26.5% 3-PT FG.
Trade restrictions also complicate matters. Carter cannot be moved until August 30, 2026, limiting the Hawks’ flexibility if they need to reduce the roster before then.
That makes him one of the easiest names to circle if a quick decision becomes necessary. Carter may stick around long-term. But if Atlanta prioritizes immediate roster compliance over future upside, he could become the odd man out.
2. Corey Kispert
2025-26 Season Statistics: 9.2 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Contract Status: $13,975,000 (2026-27), $13,050,000 (2027-28), $13,050,000 (Team Option In 2028-29)
Corey Kispert is almost certainly good enough to help an NBA rotation. He averaged 18.6 MPG in 58 games last season, shooting 46.7% FG and 36.7% 3-PT FG.
The issue is whether Atlanta actually needs what he brings.
Kispert is one of the league’s better floor spacers (career 38.0% from three), but the Hawks already possess plenty of wing depth after adding OKC Thunder duo Lu Dort (35.8%) and Aaron Wiggins (38.0%). Suddenly, one of Kispert’s greatest strengths, his shooting, isn’t nearly as valuable within Atlanta’s roster.
That also makes him one of the franchise’s most valuable trade chips. Contending teams are always searching for reliable three-point shooting, meaning Kispert could generate legitimate interest before training camp.
If no trade materializes, however, Atlanta may ultimately decide that creating minutes for younger players is the smarter long-term investment.
1. Buddy Hield
2025-26 Season Statistics: 7.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Contract Status: $9,658,536 (2026-27), $10,097,560 (Team Option In 2027-28)
Buddy Hield sits at number one on this list because his situation feels like a business one. Hield can still shoot with the best of them, and every contender values elite floor spacing. Hield played 55 games last season, shooting 34.9% from three over 51 appearances.
But Atlanta’s offseason dramatically changed the equation. With Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins now in the fold and the wing rotation becoming increasingly crowded, Hield’s role has become much less clear than it appeared only weeks ago.
His expiring contract also makes him one of the easiest players in the league to include in a trade. Front offices love veterans on short-term deals because they can help balance salaries without creating long-term financial commitments.
If Atlanta finds the right deal later in the 2026-27 season, Hield could be kept until then.
Even if a trade isn’t on the minds of Hawks management, cutting Hield before then is reasonable. Hield remains productive enough to contribute elsewhere, and the Hawks may decide that opening a roster spot while allowing a respected veteran to join a contender is the cleanest solution.
Of all the players currently fighting for one of Atlanta’s final roster spots, Hield’s future feels the least certain.
