Hoops Rumors reported Nov. 1 that Atlanta exercised its 2027/28 option on Asa Newell, and Brad Rowland on Locked On Hawks put the price at $3.56 million. Nothing else on the board touches the Hawks' roster, and the payroll sits $1.9 million under the tax line.
The one report that counts
Hoops Rumors, with Rory Maher's byline, reported Nov. 1 that the Hawks exercised the 2027/28 option on Asa Newell. Rowland, on Locked On Hawks, added that Atlanta had until Nov. 2 to decide and that Newell will make $3.56 million in 2027-28. Both are outside reporting, and our tracker scores the item at 45 with its status still open. Treat it as likely, not final. The logic is easy to follow. Newell is 21, in his second year, and he was the first new face Snyder added to the rotation Friday. He played center for 19 minutes and scored 13 on 5-for-11 shooting. One game is a small sample, but the price is low.
Noise and old business
The rest of the board does not move this club. A Mavericks report on Zaccharie Risacher's team option, dated Oct. 28, carries a confidence of 41. It matters only as a reminder that Atlanta took him first overall in 2024. A note that a Wolves second-rounder will play for Kansas scores 30, and it has nothing to do with Atlanta. The Oct. 14 minor-moves item sits at 23. The Hawks waivers of Cameron Corhen and Kobe Johnson, reported Oct. 17, are already done. Our tracker lists them as moved.
Does the cap sheet allow it?
Yes, with room to spare. Atlanta's payroll is $198.5 million, over the cap and $1.9 million under the $200.4 million tax line. Newell's $3.56 million lands in 2027-28, so it does not change this season's math. It also gives the Hawks a cheap young big while Mouhamed Gueye is out until Nov. 20 and Henri Veesaar is out for the year. The larger commitments are Jalen Johnson at $30.0 million, Dyson Daniels at $25.0 million and CJ McCollum at $21.0 million. A trade that adds salary this season would need to be nearly cost-neutral to stay under the line. Nothing reported suggests one is coming.
Did the Hawks exercise Asa Newell's 2027-28 option?
Hoops Rumors reported it Nov. 1, and Brad Rowland on Locked On Hawks said Newell will make $3.56 million in 2027-28. Our tracker still lists the item as open, at confidence 45.
Can the Hawks make a trade without paying the luxury tax?
Payroll is $198.5 million against a $200.4 million tax line, so they have $1.9 million of room. Only a move that adds almost no salary this season would stay under it.
