Hawks' trade partner poaches rumored veteran target in free agency

The Atlanta Hawks traded E.J. Liddell – whom they acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Dejounte Murray return package – to the Phoenix Suns for David Roddy on July 26. The Hawks view Roddy as a better roster fit, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Lauren L. Williams.

It appears the move has backfired, if only slightly. New Orleans turned around and waived Liddell, freeing up a roster spot that it filled by signing backup point guard Tyus Jones in free agency. 

Jones, 28, spent the 2023-24 season with the Washington Wizards. 

He had drawn interest from the Hawks in free agency, to the point that they offered him a deal worth more than what he received from the Suns, who are significantly limited as a second-apron luxury tax team.

“Jones chose the Suns and less money over Atlanta and Memphis,” Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported on X on July 27.

The Suns saved money swapping in Liddell and will pay less after waiving and stretching him.

The Hawks are  $3.3 million below the first apron and hard-capped at the second.

Perhaps more importantly, they are also without an experienced backup point guard behind three-time All-Star Trae Young, who appeared in a career-low 54 games in 2023-24 after undergoing surgery for a finer injury. He had appeared in at least 73 games in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Jones averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 41.4% from beyond the arc with the Wizards in 2023-24.

The Hawks’ potential pursuit of Jones does raise questions about how they view Kobe Bufkin.

Hawks G Kobe Bufkin’s summer interrupted by injury

Bufkin, the No. 15 overall pick of the 2023 draft appeared in 17 games as a rookie, in part because of thumb and back injuries that kept him sidelined. He also missed NBA 2K25 Summer League after suffering a shoulder injury in practice on the eve of the Hawks’ first game.

The Hawks have been high on Bufkin, who flashed strong two-way capabilities during his first season.

There are few viable options available, though former Hawk Trent Forrest is among them.

Forrest appeared in 38 games for the Hawks in 2023-24. He also logged 23 appearances with three starts in 2022-23. However, Forrest suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League squad in Las Vegas.

The Hawks expect Bufkin to make a full recovery by the start of training camp, which will be on September 27 or October 1.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dyson Daniels Jalen Johnson, and Vit Krejci can all create offense. 

The Hawks also signed Keaton Wallace to a two-way contract. They could count on Young returning to his typically durable ways and going with a committee approach behind him. That is risky without Murray to keep the season’s hopes afloat if something happens to Young again.