Lou Williams to play another season with Hawks

Guard Lou Williams will return to the Hawks on a one-year, $5 million deal, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The Hawks maintain Williams’ valuable veteran presence and even more continuity from last season’s team, which won two playoff series (Trae Young and John Collins already have agreed to extensions). Williams also singlehandedly won the Hawks a few games by coming alive in the fourth quarter.

He contemplated retirement when traded from the Clippers to Hawks last season, but decided to stick around and play for his hometown team (Williams attended South Gwinnett High). The Hawks ended up flourishing in the second half of the season under coach Nate McMillan, drastically exceeding expectations. Next season will be Williams’ 17th in the NBA.

Last season, Williams averaged 10 points and 3.4 assists in 21 minutes per game, mostly coming off the bench behind Trae Young.

The Athletic first reported the move. Deals struck during NBA free agency can’t become official until 12:01 p.m. Friday.

About the Author

Johnson’s second straight triple-double boosts Hawks over Wizards

Jalen Johnson's second straight triple-double led the Hawks to a 131-116 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

Jalen Johnson’s first-half triple-double not enough to lift Hawks past Nuggets

The Hawks led the Nuggets by 9 to start the fourth quarter, but the Nuggets went on a 26-7 run to take the lead for good.

Well-traveled Hawks lose to Clippers in return to State Farm Arena

The Atlanta Hawks fell to the Clippers Wednesday night but Atlanta was without Jalen Johnson, Trae Young and Kristas Porzingis.

The Latest

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Johnson’s second straight triple-double boosts Hawks over Wizards

Jalen Johnson’s first-half triple-double not enough to lift Hawks past Nuggets

Well-traveled Hawks lose to Clippers in return to State Farm Arena

Featured

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.