Another player signed, another player waived.
Every offseason, there's a period where fans are unsure of who to get attached to or not. Various signings are announced, only to be met with the news of them hitting waivers 24 hours later.
They're strategic roster-building moves - not for the main ball club, but for their G League affiliate.
Well, sometimes it can age as a positive development for the top roster, as every now and then, a player who impresses with the G League squad earns a two-way, eventually earning a standard contract. Internal development success stories are always great, even if said player ends up elsewhere for their breakout.
After a series of moves, the Hawks have brought back Lamont Butler on a deal similar to the one he received just before last season.
Butler faced a few impossible setbacks soon after getting an NBA opportunity
Any setback during the first part of an undrafted free agent's career can be detrimental, but it appears neither Butler nor the Hawks are allowing it to be.
Following the conclusion of his final collegiate season with the Kentucky Wildcats, Butler was picked up by the Hawks as an undrafted free agent.
At the very least, he was going to be able to compete with the summer squad, and prove himself worthy of a guaranteed contract. An untimely ankle injury, however, forced him to sit out of 2025 Las Vegas Summer League. Still, the Hawks didn't give up on the talented young floor general.
In September of that year, they signed him to an Exhibit-10 deal, and he was able to receive some valuable action in a preseason game against the Miami Heat. He made the most of his opportunity, recording 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.
He was waived following the preseason, and was set to spend his rookie season with the College Park Skyhawks. He then suffered a torn ACL in Skyhawks' training camp, forcing him to miss his entire rookie year.
His new opportunity could result in something bigger if he stays the course
Atlanta is picking up right where they left off with Butler.
While he'll likely soon be waived, if healthy, he'll spend the entirety of this upcoming season with the Skyhawks.
If he showcases anything similar to the production he displayed last preseason, he could eventually become a candidate for a two-way, if any of those spots were to open up.
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