The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly signed free agent Joey Hauser to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to writers Billy Reinhardt and Brad Rowland.
The Hawks are signing Joey Hauser to an Exhibit 10 deal, per source.
I believe @BillyReinhardt was first to report.
Hauser is a 25-year-old forward from Michigan State.
Played for the Pels at 2024 Summer League and for the Clippers G League team as a rookie in 2023-24. https://t.co/DMpXdC28Nf
— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) August 21, 2024
Hauser joined the NBA as an undrafted free agent last year. He initially signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz but was waived last October. He went on to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers G League team. In 34 games in the G League last season, Hauser averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Additionally, he shot 42.4% from the field and 32.3% from the three-point line.
He also played for the New Orleans Pelicans during the Summer League this year, averaging 3 points and 1.5 rebounds in four games.
The 25-year-old is the younger brother of Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser. The older Hauser has been in the NBA since the Celtics signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He played a big role for the Celtics’ bench unit this past season, helping them win their 18th championship in franchise history in June.
Brother of Celtics Champion Joins the Atlanta Hawks
Joey Hauser Likely Will Not Make the Team
The Hawks likely signed Hauser to an Exhibit 10 contract mainly to have an extra body in training camp. This is especially true considering the Hawks already have 15 guaranteed contracts on the books. However, Hauser is a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Hawks. If he plays well enough in training camp, he could earn a roster spot. This would provide the Hawks with an extra three-point shooting specialist off the bench. On the flip side, because this is an Exhibit 10 contract, the Hawks can hold onto Hauser’s G League rights if he does not make the roster.
Recapping the Hawks’ Offseason
Heading into the offseason, it was widely expected that the Hawks would trade either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray. And very early in the summer, the Hawks did exactly that. The team traded Murray to the Pelicans in exchange for Larry Nance Jr., Cody Zeller, Dyson Daniels, and E.J. Liddell. Furthermore, the Hawks landed the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft and selected Zaccharie Risacher. The Hawks, however, lost Saddiq Bey to the Washington Wizards and Bruno Fernando to the Toronto Raptors.
Last season, the Hawks finished with a 36-46 record. They earned the No. 10 seed and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Following their moves this offseason, the Hawks appear to be in a re-tooling phase. However, they held on to Young and, for now, still have starting center Clint Capela on the roster. There is still a lot of time left until the start of next season, but it would not be a surprise if the Hawks find themselves in the postseason once again.
