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Atlanta Hawks Request Waivers On Pair of Recently Signed Players
Mar 9, 2023; New York, NY, USA; DePaul Blue Demons forward Javan Johnson (1) takes a shot against Xavier Musketeers guards Adam Kunkel (5) and Colby Jones (3) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After signing them to training camp deals yesterday, the Hawks officially waived Javan Johnson and Dwight Murray Jr. Why did they do this? Atlanta now has the G-League rights for each player and it is likely that we are going to see Murray and Johnson in College Park this season.

Intriguing players

Johnson owns two seasons of NBA G League experience, suiting up for the Santa Cruz Warriors (2023-25), averaging 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 23.9 minutes in 97 games (69 starts), including Tip-Off Tournament and regular season.

The 6-6 forward appeared in three games with the Hawks at the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 18.4 minutes. He also owns two seasons of international playing experience, playing for Gladiadores de Anzoategui of the Venezuelan SLB (2023-25).

The Decatur, Alabama, native appeared in 127 games (96 starts) across five collegiate seasons, suiting up for Troy (2017-19), Iowa State (2020-21), and DePaul (2021-23). He owns collegiate career averages of 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 27.3 minutes.

Murray Jr. appeared in 43 games (29 starts) with the College Park Skyhawks during the 2024-25 season (including Tip-Off Tournament and regular season), averaging 9.0 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23.9 minutes of play.

A member of Atlanta’s NBA 2K26 Summer League team, the 6-0 guard appeared in three games, tallying 4.3 points in 13.6 minutes.

Undrafted in 2023, Murray Jr. spent the 2023-24 campaign with KK Mornar (Montenegro), appearing in 28 games (27 starts) across three leagues (Liga ABA, Europe Cup, BLC Qual), tallying 9.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 21.2 minutes.

The Austell, Georgia, native saw action in 145 games (114 starts) across five collegiate seasons, suiting up for Incarnate Word (2018-20) and Rider (2020-23). A 2022-23 All-MAAC First Team selection, Murray Jr. owned collegiate career averages of 12.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.0 minutes (.425 FG%, .356 3FG%, .831 FT%).

The Hawks have two players in Caleb Houstan and N'Faly Dante who could possibly fill out their roster, but because the deals are not guaranteed, Atlanta could move on from them and have enough space to sign multiple minimum contracts and still be under the luxury tax.

Houstan (pronounced “Houston”) appeared in 58 games (six starts) during the 2024-25 season with the Orlando Magic, averaging 4.1 points and 1.3 rebounds in 13.6 minutes (.421 FG%, .400 3FG%, .882 FT%). Following the All-Star break, he recorded a .507% clip from three-point range, the second-highest mark in the NBA amongst all players over that time (min. 35 3FGM). Against Minnesota on March 14, Houstan poured in a season-best 18 points on a season-high tying six made triples (6-8 3FGM), in addition to swiping a career-high tying four steals in 27 minutes of action.

Dante appeared in four games with the Houston Rockets on a two-way contract during the 2024-25 season, averaging 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 12.8 minutes of action (.769 FG%, .800 FT%). In his NBA debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 3, he tallied a near double-double, contributing 10 points, nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 18 minutes of play. He became just the second player in the NBA since 1983-84 to post those numbers in an NBA debut while appearing in fewer than 20 minutes, joining Kevin Love (Oct. 29, 2008, vs. Sacramento).

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This article first appeared on Atlanta Hawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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