Hawks Waive Injured Center Duop Reath After Recent Trades

The Atlanta Hawks' roster moves have fans and analysts questioning the team's strategy.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:53am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court scene, with players and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Hawks' recent roster moves have fans and analysts debating the team's strategic vision amid a flurry of trades.Memphis Today

The Atlanta Hawks have waived injured center Duop Reath just four days after acquiring him in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. This controversial move comes amidst a flurry of other trades, including the acquisition of center Jock Landale from the Utah Jazz and the trade of Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors. Fans and analysts are debating whether the Hawks are making calculated roster moves or sacrificing long-term potential for short-term gains.

Why it matters

The Hawks' recent trades and the decision to waive the injured Reath so quickly have raised questions about the team's strategy and priorities. In a league where player development and long-term planning are crucial, the Hawks' moves have sparked a debate about whether they are making the right calls or prioritizing immediate results over future upside.

The details

The Hawks acquired Reath, who has been sidelined since January 18 due to a stress fracture in his right foot, in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers on February 1, 2026. However, just four days later, the team has requested waivers on Reath, who underwent surgery last week and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. With averages of 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds, Reath's on-court impact has been minimal, but some argue that injured players can still hold value, especially if their contracts are manageable or if they're seen as long-term projects.

  • On February 1, 2026, the Hawks traded forward Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Reath and two second-round draft picks.
  • On February 5, 2026, the Hawks requested waivers on Reath, just four days after acquiring him.
  • On February 4, 2026, the Hawks acquired center Jock Landale from the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.
  • On February 8, 2026, the Hawks traded center Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield.

The players

Duop Reath

A center who was acquired by the Atlanta Hawks in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers on February 1, 2026, but was waived just four days later despite being injured and expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Jock Landale

A center acquired by the Atlanta Hawks from the Utah Jazz on February 4, 2026, in a trade for cash considerations.

Kristaps Porzingis

A center who was traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the Golden State Warriors on February 8, 2026, in exchange for forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield.

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What’s next

The Hawks' roster moves will continue to be closely watched as the team navigates the remainder of the NBA season. Fans and analysts will be interested to see if the team's strategy pays off with improved on-court performance or if the decisions to waive Reath and trade Porzingis are seen as missteps.

The takeaway

The Atlanta Hawks' recent roster moves have raised questions about the team's priorities and long-term planning. While the acquisitions of Landale and the trade for Kuminga and Hield suggest a focus on immediate results, the decision to waive the injured Reath so quickly has left some wondering if the Hawks are sacrificing future potential for short-term gains.