6:25 PM: Atlanta has confirmed its signing of Malik Williams and former Kentucky guard Lamont Butler in a press statement. Keith Smith of Spotrac (via Twitter) reports that both are Exhibit 10 signings.
Reports in June indicated Butler would sign a two-way contract, but after having filled their three two-way slots, it appears the Hawks have decided to bring him aboard on an Exhibit 10 deal instead.
4:32 PM: The Hawks have agreed to a training camp contract with free agent center Malik Williams, sources inform Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). A source tells Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter) that it’s an Exhibit 10 deal.
The 6’11” Louisville alum went undrafted in 2022, ultimately opting to kick off his pro career by playing in the Polish Basketball League.
He spent most of 2023/24 with the Heat’s NBAGL affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Late into the year, Williams managed to link up with the Raptors on first a 10-day and subsequently a rest-of-season deal. He cameoed in seven games, averaging 2.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 0.6 BPG in 15.3 MPG.
After his tenure with Toronto ended that spring, he returned to Sioux Falls for the 2024/25 season, with an eye towards a potential NBA call-up. Across 31 G League games for the Skyforce last year, Williams averaged 16.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.4 SPG and 1.4 BPG. A modern stretch big, he logged shooting splits of .450/.396/.667, with that 3-point rate arriving on 5.5 triple tries.
Should the Hawks waive Williams and sign him to their G League squad, the College Park Skyhawks, he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth as much as $85,300 — provided he sticks with the Skyhawks for at least 60 days.