Hawks Bring Back Player They Just Waived in February With Surprise Trade Change

The Hawks will reportedly be reuniting with a young forward whom they sent packing earlier this year.
Jan 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward David Roddy (8) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.
Jan 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward David Roddy (8) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Hawks have been quite busy to start free agency after falling short in the play-in tournament this past season.

The Hawks signed Nickeil Walker-Alexander to a four-year, $62 million contract and Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal. 

Atlanta hopes that Walker-Alexander and Kennard will help them get out of the play-in and capture a top-six spot in a wide-open Eastern Conference. However, it won’t be easy as the Hawks have to contend with the Orlando Magic in the Southeast Division, who improved this offseason. 


That said, the Hawks made another move during the first week of free agency, which involved bringing back a player they waived in February.

Hawks Surprisingly Reunite With David Roddy in Historic 7-Team Trade

On Sunday, Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that the Hawks acquired David Roddy in a huge seven-team trade, which initially started with the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets making a deal for superstar forward Kevin Durant.

Former Hawks center Clint Capela will also be involved in his deal, heading to Houston (via sign and trade). The big man reportedly agreed to a three-year, $21.5 million contract on Jun. 30. 

In addition to Roddy, Atlanta also reportedly received cash from the Rockets and the rights to do a pick swap with its 2031 second-round pick for Houston’s second-round pick in 2031.

Hawks fans are familiar with Roddy, as he was with the team for the first part of the 2024-25 season. Atlanta acquired the 24-year-old forward in a trade with the Phoenix Suns last summer.

The Hawks declined Roddy’s $4.83 million option for the 2025-26 season in October. He played in 27 games (three games), where he averaged 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. 

Atlanta sent Roddy packing in February, but he wasn’t a free agent for long. He was signed by the Philadelphia 76ers to a 10-day contract on Feb. 11 and given a two-way deal 10 days later.

However, the Sixers didn’t keep the former Hawks forward for long as he was waived at the beginning of March. Then two days later, on March 3, Roddy was signed to a two-way deal by Houston, but the Rockets declined his qualifying offer on June 29.

More Atlanta Hawks News and Rumors: