The Atlanta Hawks currently have four players on their roster who are looking to make the final roster spot that the team has left open for the offseason. The Hawks are such a deep team but it still matters who is in the final roster spot.
We saw last season that when the injury bug hits, it can be very difficult to field a competitive team for an entire season. This shows that the final roster spot is crucial and should not just be filled as an afterthought.
The four players that the Hawks are A.J. Lawson, Johnny Hamilton, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, and the newly signed Jahlil Okafor. Luwawu-Cabarrot was signed to a non-guaranteed deal last week and Okafor was signed only a few days ago, not long after we floated the idea on the site. Now let’s look at each player’s claim to the final spot on the roster.
Atlanta Hawks fringe player No. 1) A.J. Lawson
Lawson is a 6’6″ Canadian shooting guard who went undrafted out of South Carolina. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 29 games. He also played for the
Lawson may struggle to get on the varsity roster due to the competition that he has on the wing position. Assuming that they all stay healthy, Lawson is looking likely to find himself on the College Park Skyhawks.
Atlanta Hawks fringe player No. 2) Johnny Hamilton
Hamilton is a 7’0″ center from Trinidad is trying for another crack at the league, this time with the Hawks. He signed a contract with the Detroit Pistons back in 2018 but failed to make their roster. He played summer league with the Pistons and also the Milwaukee Bucks. You would think this is the 27-year-old’s last chance this season.
Unfortunately for Hamilton, he is competing for a spot that is well serviced. He has Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, Gorgui Dieng and now Jahlil Okafor ahead of him. Again, it is likely that he will play for the College Park Skyhawks this season.