According to writers Billy Reinhardt and Brad Rowland, the Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent Joey Hauser to an Exhibit 10 contract.

According to a source, the Hawks are signing Joey Hauser to an Exhibit 10 contract.

I believe @BillyReinhardt was the first to report.

Hauser is a 25-year-old forward from Michigan State.

Played for the Pels in the 2024 Summer League and as a rookie for the Clippers G League team in 2023-24. https://t.co/DMpXdC28Nf

— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) 21 August 2024

Hauser entered the NBA last year as an undrafted free agent. He initially signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, but was released last October. He then signed with the Los Angeles Clippers’ G-League team. In 34 games in the G-League last season, Hauser averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He also shot 42.4% from the field and 32.3% from three-pointers.

This year he also played for the New Orleans Pelicans in the Summer League and averaged 3 points and 1.5 rebounds in four games.

The 25-year-old is the younger brother of Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser. The elder Hauser has been in the NBA since the Celtics signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He played a big role on the Celtics’ bench last season, helping them win the 18th championship in franchise history in June.

Brother of Celtics champion moves to Atlanta Hawks

Joey Hauser probably won’t make the team

The Hawks probably signed Hauser to an Exhibit 10 contract primarily to have an extra player in training camp. This is especially true considering the Hawks already have 15 guaranteed contracts on their books. However, Hauser is a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Hawks. If he plays well enough in training camp, he could earn a spot on the roster. This would give the Hawks an extra three-point specialist off the bench. On the other hand, since it’s an Exhibit 10 contract, the Hawks can retain Hauser’s G-League rights if he doesn’t make the roster.

Looking back at the Hawks offseason

Before the offseason, it was widely expected that the Hawks would trade either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray. And that’s exactly what the Hawks did very early in the summer. The team traded Murray to the Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Cody Zeller, Dyson Daniels and EJ Liddell. In addition, the Hawks secured the first pick in that year’s draft, selecting Zaccharie Risacher. However, the Hawks lost Saddiq Bey to the Washington Wizards and Bruno Fernando to the Toronto Raptors.

Last season, the Hawks finished with a 36-46 record. They were seeded No. 10 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. After their offseason moves, the Hawks appear to be in a rebuilding phase. However, they held onto Young and still have starting center Clint Capela on the roster for now. There’s still plenty of time until next season begins, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Hawks make the postseason again.