6:25 pm: The Hawks have confirmed in a press release that they’ve officially signed Williams and former Kentucky guard Lamont Butler. Keith Smith of Spotrac (via Twitter) reports that both are Exhibit 10 deals.
Reports in June indicated Butler was expected to sign a two-way contract, but after having filled their three two-way slots this offseason, the Hawks have apparently decided to bring him aboard on an Exhibit 10 deal instead.
4:32 pm: The Hawks have agreed to a training camp contract with free agent center Malik Williams, sources inform Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). A source tells Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter) that it’s an Exhibit 10 deal.
The 6’11” Louisville alum went undrafted in 2022 and kicked off his pro career by playing in the Polish Basketball League.
Williams spent most of 2023/24 with the Heat’s NBAGL affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Late in the season, he managed to link up with the Raptors on a 10-day contract and then a rest-of-season deal. He cameoed in seven games, averaging 2.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 0.6 BPG in 15.3 MPG.
After his tenure with Toronto ended that spring, Williams returned to Sioux Falls for the 2024/25 season, with an eye towards a potential NBA call-up. Across 31 G League games for the Skyforce last year, he averaged 16.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.4 SPG and 1.4 BPG. A modern stretch big, he logged shooting splits of .450/.396/.667 while attempting 5.5 three-point attempts per game.
Assuming Williams is waived and then spends at least 60 days with the Hawks’ G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, he would be eligible for a bonus worth up to $85,300. College Park acquired Williams’ returning rights earlier this month.
