The Atlanta Hawks inked two players to training camp deals today, thus likely completing their 2025-26 training camp roster. According to Luke Adams of Hoop Rumors, the Hawks have signed Javan Johnson and Dwight Murray Jr. to deals with Exhibit 10 language.
Hawks Roster Likely Complete After Adding 2 Players, Including Recent Trade Acquisition
Johnson will be headed to an NBA training camp for the second time in his career. The 6-6 athletic forward, who went undrafted out of DePaul in 2023, has spent most of his professional career in the G-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors. Golden State invited him to training camp in 2023.
Johnson is a 3-and-D wing who can make tough shots. Johnson showed improvement in year two with Santa Cruz across the board. The 26-year-old averaged 13.1 points a game and 2.8 threes with shooting splits of 41.7/37.5/91.2 this past season. He also registered his first career double-double, though improvement is needed in efficiency and ball-handling.
Johnson joined Atlanta’s summer league squad this offseason. The 2024 G-League Next Up participant scored at least seven points in all three games as he made 9 of 20 shots, including 4 of 9 from deep. Atlanta’s G-League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, acquired Johnson in a three-team trade.
Murray Jr. played for College Park this past season. The 6-0 point guard did an excellent job running the Skyhawks’ offense, averaging 4.6 assists a game and posting a 3.1-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. However, he struggled making shots, connecting on just 39.4% from the field and 31.5% from the 3-point line.
Murray Jr., who played professionally in the Adriatic League after going undrafted out of Rider in 2023, saw limited time with the Hawks summer league squad. The 25-year-old averaged 4.3 points and 3.7 assists while shooting 45.5/50/1.000. He compiled seven points, on 2 of 5 shooting and 1 of 2 from the 3-point line, six assists, and two steals against Boston on July 20.
Johnson and Murray Jr. will likely end up with College Park as affiliate players. However, that could change if either player impresses the Hawks during training camp.
Where Does the Hawks Roster Stand With Johnson and Murray In Tow?
Atlanta has 14 players on standard contracts, and all three of their two-way spots are filled. The Hawks could add another player to a standard contract, but that is unlikely, at least before the start of training camp.
With the Hawks $3.4 million under the luxury tax, if Atlanta decides to carry 15 players at the start of training camp, the players will likely earn the minimum and be on non-guaranteed deals. Thus allowing the Hawks to maintain flexibility. They are $111.5 million clear of the first apron, where they are hard-capped.
Eli Ndiaye, Keaton Wallace, and Jacob Toppin are the players on two-way deals. Ndiaye is a developmental player and projects to spend the entire season with the Skyhawks.
Wallace and Toppin theoretically have a chance to earn the Hawks’ 15th spot. The Hawks’ biggest need is depth at point guard and power forward.
Wallace is entering his third year with the organization and is coming off a career-high season. The 26-year-old guard also appeared in 31 games for the Hawks, averaging 5.4 points and 2.6 assists with shooting splits of 40.1/32.9/1.000. He recorded a triple-double in the final game of the season.
Toppin signed a two-way deal with Atlanta late last year after being released by New York. He had a fantastic G-League campaign and appeared in 14 NBA contests, although he saw limited playing time.
2022 second-round pick Caleb Houstan will also be among the players competing for the final roster spot. Houstan spent the previous three seasons with Orlando, appearing in 168 games, including 23 starts. He has improved in each of his three seasons and connects on 1.1 treys a game at a 37.2% clip.
Lamont Butler and Kobe Johnson
While Johnson and Murray Jr. technically give Atlanta 20 players for training camp, Lamont Butler and Kobe Johnson have reportedly agreed to deals as well. Butler allegedly agreed to a two-way contract in July, after going undrafted out of Kentucky, with the Hawks; however, the team has since signed Wallace, Toppin, and Ndiaye.
Update: Dwight Murray Jr. and Javan Johnson were waived earlier today.
Butler produced a career season at Kentucky last season, averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. He also compiled a career-best shooting splits of 49.8/39.1/73.5. He spent four years at San Diego State before last season.
Back in June, ESPN’s Jonathan Giovany reported that the Hawks were going to sign Johnson. Johnson, the younger brother of Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, completed his career at UCLA after spending three years at USC. He averaged 7.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 46.4% from the field and 36.2% from the three-point range last season. He is a three-time All-Conference Defensive Team selection.
Kobe Johnson suited up for the Hawks’ summer league squad. The 22-year-old guard averaged 9.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 53.8/33.3/62.5. He reached double-figures in each of his last two outings.
If Johnson and Butler ultimately sign, it will likely be on Exhibit 10 deals. However, it is conceivable that Wallace or Toppin will be promoted from their two-way deal. If so, Johnson and Butler could be in line for one of the minor league spots.
Photo Credit: © Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images
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