Atlanta Hawks Waive A Player Following John Collins Trade

The Atlanta Hawks have waived Donovan Williams.

On Monday afternoon, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that John Collins had been traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Utah Jazz. 

Collins had spent his entire six-year career with Atlanta and was one of the best players on the team.

Following the reported trade (which can't be finalized until July), the Hawks officially announced that they have waived Donovan Williams. 

Via The Hawks: "We have requested waivers on two-way guard Donovan Williams."

We have requested waivers on two-way guard Donovan Williams.

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 26, 2023

Williams only appeared in two games for the Hawks this past season, as he spent the majority of his time in the G League.  

In 32 regular season games (in the G League), Williams averaged 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 43.8% from the field. 

The 21-year-old played three college basketball seasons for Texas and UNLV and went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.  

Considering he is still so young, Williams will likely get another opportunity with a team during Summer League or training camp. 

Steal & coast ➡️ coast slam from Donovan Williams!! 🔥 @CPSkyhawks pic.twitter.com/V0bvoLdgqQ

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 9, 2023

As for the Hawks, moving Collins marks a significant change for the franchise since he has been one of their core pieces.  

This past year, the former Wake Forest star averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest while shooting 50.8% from the field.

The Hawks have made the NBA Playoffs in each of the last three seasons and went to the Eastern Conference in 2021. 

They were the seventh seed in the 2023 NBA Playoffs and lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round.