The Atlanta Hawks' recent roster moves have fans buzzing, but one decision has left many scratching their heads. The team waived injured center Duop Reath just days after trading for him.
On February 5th, 2026, the Hawks announced they had requested waivers on Reath, who had been acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in a trade on January 31st. This move raised eyebrows, as it came just after the Hawks had given up forward Vit Krejci to bring Reath and future draft picks to Atlanta. But here's where it gets intriguing...
Reath, who hasn't played since mid-January, is recovering from foot surgery and was expected to be out for the season. The 7-footer had modest averages of 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. So, was this a hasty move by the Hawks' management, or is there more to the story?
The Hawks' front office wasn't idle for long, though. On Wednesday, they acquired center Jock Landale from the Utah Jazz, who had just received him from Memphis in a multi-player trade. Landale, a 30-year-old with solid numbers, could be a short-term solution to their center woes. But the very next day, another twist: Atlanta traded away center Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors for forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield.
This sequence of events leaves many questions. Was Reath's waiver a strategic move to free up space for the Porzingis trade? Or is there another explanation for this seemingly rushed decision? The timing is certainly curious, and it's a topic that's sure to spark debate among NBA enthusiasts.
What do you think about the Hawks' recent roster shake-up? Are these moves setting the team up for success, or is there cause for concern? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's discuss the potential implications of these trades.
