Fitting with a common theme of general manager Onsi Saleh’s early tenure, the Atlanta Hawks are giving themselves options with youngsters Jacob Toppin and Keaton Wallace.
“The Atlanta Hawks have tendered two-way qualifying offers to Jacob Toppin and Keaton Wallace,” Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported on X on June 29. “Both Toppin and Wallace will now be restricted free agents on July 1.”
Wallace played a notable role for the Hawks.
He appeared in 31 games and even drew five starts. The brother of NBA champion and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace, Keaton also made 13 G League appearances.
The Hawks’ Wallace averaged a modest 5.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 rebounds for Atlanta last season. An undrafted free agent out of UTSA, Wallace also managed to notch some signature moments, such as his 15-15-11 triple-double in the season finale.
What a day for Keaton 🔥 First player in franchise history with this line:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 14, 2025
15 PTS
15 AST
11 REB
5 STL@KeatonWallace22 x @UPS pic.twitter.com/37dtniO1Rk
Toppin made one appearance with the Hawks last season.
However, he made 16 appearances with the New York Knicks and logged another eight with the College Park Skyhawks and 11 with the Westchester Knicks in the G League.
Neither player is guaranteed to make it to training camp, let alone a roster spot. But the Hawks now have the right of first refusal in case any other teams look to sign Wallace or Toppin to a two-way offer sheet.
Hawks added more 2-way contract candidates
The Hawks only made one selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, taking Georgia Bulldogs star Asa Newell 23rd overall after trading out of the No. 13 slot and dealing the No. 22 pick from the Los Angeles Lakers away in the trade for Kristaps Porzingis.
However, they added three more in the immediate aftermath, each of whom could compete for a two-way spot.
Among them, Jalen Johnson’s brother, Kobe Johnson, a 6-foot-6 wing.
The Hawks also brought in point guard Lamont Butler and forward Eli Ndiaye. They also have Daeqwon Plowden locked into one of their three allotted two-way contract slots. That, too, could change, so there will be plenty of intrigue during summer league play.
The Hawks will tip off the exhibition slate with a tilt against the Miami Heat in Las Vegas. Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh has not clarified who will play.
Newell is a presumed lock, but the lack of clear-cut options after that is good for the UDFAs.
They should all receive ample opportunities to show what they can do, with Newell the likely only top pick the Hawks put on the floor. 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher is already a full-time starter and not worth risking during the summer.
Perhaps the Hawks send third-year guard Kobe Bufkin, the No. 15 overall pick of the 2023 draft, who missed last year’s summer session with an injury, which proved foreboding for his season.