Editor's note: This article was published before Caleb Houstan was signed to a two-way deal, creating another spot on the 15-man NBA roster.
Keaton Wallace was elevated from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal today after a year of two-way service for the Atlanta Hawks.
This news comes just hours after Charles Bassey and Lamont Butler were waived, which opened one NBA final roster spot for the Hawks. Wallace has been a favorite of head coach Quin Snyder due to his strong defensive play and high-IQ play at the point guard position.
Wallace attended the University of Texas at San Antonio for four years before entering the 2021 draft. After going undrafted, Wallace signed with the Ontario Clippers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers that is now located in Agua Caliente. Wallace would play two G League seasons before being traded to Atlanta in 2023.
Wallace played for the College Park Skyhawks during the 2023-24 season and was given a two-way contract with the Hawks after an impressive season. As a two-way player last season, Wallace averaged 5.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 16.2 minutes a night over 31 games, including five appearances in the starting lineup.
Wallace is the older brother of 2025 NBA champion Cason Wallace. Like his younger brother, Wallace’s tenacity and high defensive motor are the basis of his game.
Wallace adds much-needed plamaking and defense to the guard rotation
The move formally adds a second player whose primary position is listed as point guard to the team. Wallace joins Trae Young at the one, and on paper will be Young’s backup. However, Atlanta has shown a desire to play with a “point guard by committee” approach, diversifying the lead offensive duties among Luke Kennard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jalen Johnson.
Wallace appears to begin the season out of the rotation. With the wealth of talent above him, he may only see the floor during the early part of the season when the Hawks face a particularly deep guard rotation, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers or the San Antonio Spurs.
Wallace had a few chances to shine last season on the injury-riddled Hawks. He exploded for 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists on 6-11 from the field and 4-7 from three in a January victory over the Bulls.
Over his five games as a starter, Wallace averaged 13.8 points and 4.8 rebounds, accompanied by an intriguing 8.4 assists and 2.2 steals. While this sample is not the most representative, as the Hawks had a limited rotation in these games, Wallace clearly has the juice necessary to survive in the NBA.