Bruno Fernando sends message after being place on waivers by Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks parted ways with backup center Bruno Fernando.

The decision ends a weeks-long delay in making a final decision on the former second-round pick’s future. He was in the final year of a four-year, $10.8 million contract.

Fernando and the Hawks pushed back the guarantee date on his 2024-25 salary twice. The next deadline was set for August 1.Fernando sent a message thanking the Hawks, who had thanked him for his service.

“Nah, THANK YOU FR!!” Fernando posted on July 30, quoting the Hawks’ post to him. “Love.”

Fernando – whose pinned post features an image of him wearing a Hawks uniform – was in his second stint with the organization.

He was originally the No. 34 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and acquired by the Hawks in a subsequent trade. The Hawks traded Fernando to the Boston Celtics in 2021 in a three-team deal that also included the Sacramento Kings.

The Celtics traded Fernando to the Houston Rockets in 2022.

Houston sent him back to Atlanta along with swingman Garrison Mathews in 2022-23 in a deal that was mostly a salary-dumping measure.

The 25 year old big man averaged 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 46 appearances with the Hawks in 2023-24. He averaged 9.0 points and 7.0 boards in his two starts during the campaign, providing impactful plays on both ends of the floor.

Hawks take first step to clear up roster logjam

Moving on from a fan favorite like Fernando can be tricky. But the Hawks are facing a “roster crunch” in the words of General Manager Landry Fields.

The Hawks’ roster currently stands at 15 players on standard contracts, 14 of which are guaranteed for 2024-25. Mathews is the only one whose contract has yet to fully lock in for the 2024-25 season, with a guarantee date of January 10.

The Hawks also filled their final two-way contract slot with forward Dominick Barlowe.

They still have Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and Cody Zeller at center as well as versatile veteran reserve Larry Nance Jr., who can play both the 4 and 5.

Nance has drawn some trade interest and could be the veritable odd-man out as the Hawks sort out their frontcourt. But it appears they still have some work to do even after all of the changes they have already made during the 2024 offseason.

The Hawks could still stand to add a veteran backup point guard.

They have 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin on hand, and he would make sense as Trae Young’s backup if he can stay healthy.

With that proving to be an obstacle so far in his young career, the Hawks have to make contingency plans behind their three-time All-Star point guard. The Hawks also pursued Tyus Jones, who ultimately signed with the Phoenix Suns who present a starting role.