The Hawks have reduced their roster count by three players, cutting Adonis Thomas, David Lighty, and Damien Wilkins, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The team had been carrying a full 20-man roster, so at least two more players will need to be released before opening night.
Wilkins, a nine-year veteran, is the only one of the three waived Hawks with NBA experience. Lighty, 25, went undrafted in 2011 and has played overseas since then, most recently averaging 12.5 PPG and shooting 42.5% on three-pointers in 35 games for JSF Nanterre in France. Thomas, 20, left Memphis this spring after his sophomore year. All three players will become free agents later this week, assuming they clear waivers.
With 17 players still under contract, the Hawks will have to pare down their roster to 15 (or fewer) within the next couple weeks. Eric Dawson, Royal Ivey, James Johnson, and Shelvin Mack are all on fully non-guaranteed deals, making them the likeliest candidates to be released.