Former Atlanta Hawks center Nathan Knight has signed a new two-year contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The deal has a team option for the second year, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Knight was an undrafted free agent after a standout collegiate career at William & Mary in 2021.
He signed with the Hawks on a two-way deal out of college.
Knight spent the 2022 season with Minnesota on another two-way deal but played his way into a standard contract.
The Hawks will have a new third big for the third consecutive season.
Nathan Knight earns two-year contract after leaving Atlanta Hawks
Knight made 33 appearances for the Hawks as a rookie, averaging 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in fewer than 10 minutes per contest. He struggled from the floor, shooting just 37.0% from the floor. But the 6-foot-10, 253-pound big man did manage to knock down 80.0% of his free throws with Atlanta.
He took a step back in playing time with the Timberwolves seeing fewer than 8.0 minutes per game. But he still averaged 3.7 points while hauling in 2.3 boards in 37 games with two starts this past season.
Knight also shot over 51.0% from the floor and connected on 37.0% of his (very few) looks from beyond the arc.
The Hawks had Gorgui Dieng in the third center spot last season. He averaged 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds while knocking down 42.6% of his triples (usually in garbage time) in a little over 8.0 minutes per game across 44 appearances with three starts.
This offseason, the Hawks signed Frank Kaminsky to a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
He averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 boards, and 1.4 assists with the Phoenix Suns last season. He shot 54.5% from the floor this past season while hitting 90% of his free throws and has shot as well as 38.0% from deep in his career.
That was during the 2017-18 season with the Charlotte Hornets.
Atlanta is hoping they will not have to rely on Kaminsky too much behind starter Clint Capela and backup Onyeka Okongwu. Forward John Collins is also capable of playing center and second-year forward Jalen Johnson figures to get some time there in small-ball looks too.
Kaminsky has a solid skill set to have on the bench. His presence also means that the Hawks aren’t exactly hurting for capable bodies in Knight’s absence.
Still, it is a nice story for a player that did plenty of good things in his limited amount of time with Atlanta.