The Hawks extended a qualifying offer to Shelvin Mack, the guard told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday. The move gives the team the right to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent.
The Hawks also had until Monday to make qualifying offers to Mike Scott and Gustavo Ayon. As previously reported, the Hawks were likely to make an offer to Scott but not to Ayon.
A qualifying offer is a standing deal for a one-year guaranteed contract.
Mack received a qualifying offer of at least $1,148,163. He won the backup point guard position last season and averaged 7.5 points and 2.2 assists in 73 games.
A qualifying offer to Scott would be for at least $1,115,243. The forward had a breakout season in his second year and averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 80 games.
A qualifying offer to Ayon would have been for at least $1,875,000. He played in just 26 games and averaged 4.3 points and 4.8 rebounds before season-ending right shoulder surgery.
Trade update: As of late Monday evening, the Hawks had not announced the trade with the Raptors to send Lou Williams and the rights to 2013 first-round draft pick Lucas Nogueira to the Raptors for John Salmons and a second-round draft pick. In order for the move to have the intended salary cap space clearing effect, the deal had to be completed before midnight Tuesday.
The Hawks intend to waive Salmons for a $1 million buyout. His contract called for a $7 million team option on July 1.
The trade, agreed upon Sunday night, would give the Hawks more than $15 million in salary cap space for the start of the NBA’s free agency period Tuesday. Williams will make $5.45 million next season.
Teammates Al Horford and Jeff Teague reacted to the trade of Williams on social media Monday as the posted on Twitter.
Horford posted: “Best of luck @TeamLou23 great teammate and even better person.”
Teague posted: “I’m gone miss playing with my bro one of the coolest people and teammates I’ve ever came across @TeamLou23 #realone”
Williams, from South Gwinnett High School, will play the final of a three-year free agent contract he signed with the Hawks. He averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 60 games last season.
Working out: Several new and veteran Hawks have been working out at The Skill Factory in Marietta. Paul Millsap, John Jenkins, Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala and recent draft picks Adreian Payne and Lamar Patterson were among those at the elite training facility recently.
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