Hawks media day: GM Landry Fields praises Trae Young & 9 other key takeaways

Cody Zeller could be first Hawks big man to go

The Hawks have a wealth of centers, but one of them might not be as long for the roster as his pedigree would suggest. 

The Hawks acquired Cody Zeller as the final piece of the Murray trade.

He is also the tallest player on the roster. He would offer a tangible asset that the Hawks have lacked for the past few seasons. However, Fields says they are still working through all of their options with the veteran.

“It's still an evaluation right now as it relates to our roster and how that's going to shape up going into training camp,” Fields said. 

“We're talks with his camp. Just kind of seeing what that's going to look like for the future.” 

Nikola Djurisic unlikely to don Hawks uniform in 2024-25

Rookie second-round pick Nikola Djurisic was among the players notably left off the Hawks’ training camp roster.

It was for good reason, with Djurisic ineligible to participate since he is not under contract.

He is also recovering from food surgery and will be reevaluated in November. But Fields also gave some insight into the Hawks’ plans for Djurisic, who has been around his teammates this offseason.

“Still trying to get him healthy,” Fields said. “Looking at a few different options for him. And likely a stash opportunity for us, and I think that's probably where we'll see him go.”

Health updates

Fields was asked about the health of Kobe Bufkin (shoulder), Mouhamed Gueye (hip), and Seth Lundy (shoulder) with training camp opening tomorrow.

The Hawks GM said Bufkin and Gueye are 100% healed and good to go for training camp. Fields was less forthcoming about Lundy and Okongwu, saying they were still working their way back but clarifying that none of the players had suffered any setbacks.

Still, Okongwu is certainly a situation to monitor.