Lamont Butler waived by Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have made the worst decision in franchise history and will now be forced to deal with the consequences. Lamont Butler, who just dominated in his NBA preseason debut, has been waived ahead of the start of the regular season.

Atlanta announced the roster change on Saturday, Butler waived alongside former WKU star Charles Bassey.

We have requested waivers on center Charles Bassey and guard Lamont Butler

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 18, 2025

Butler looked the part in his lone appearance with the Hawks last week, finishing with 18 points (5-15 FG; 3-7 3PT), six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes off the bench. That came just hours after the franchise officially announced he had signed with the Hawks.

While he didn’t get drafted, Atlanta quickly closed on a verbal agreement with the former Kentucky standout after going undrafted in June’s NBA Draft. Butler joined the team’s Summer League roster, but was forced to sit the entire event while nursing an ankle injury.

What’s next for Butler? Look for the Hawks to find room for him with their G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, as he finds his footing as a pro. There is a need at point guard for Atlanta behind All-Star Trae Young — the franchise actually just converted Keaton Wallace’s two-way deal into a standard one-year contract for the role, good news for Cason Wallace’s brother — with shooting guard Luke Kennard the only other real option.

The former Wildcat will still make good money with the Hawks if he finds his way back to the G League roster, or another team can step up and sign him to their own deal and make him even richer. We’re good with either here at KSR HQ.

You certainly know his college story, leading San Diego State to the 2023 national championship game while hitting a game-winner in the Final Four in one of the biggest shots in March Madness history. He was a defensive superstar with the Aztecs, then took his game to another level in his final season of eligibility at Kentucky, averaging career-highs in points (11.4), assists (4.3) and rebounds (2.9) with shooting splits of 50/39/74. When healthy, he was a total game-changer in Lexington.

His pro journey has hit a minor speed bump, but if there is one person you can trust to figure things out, it’s Lamont Butler.

Until then, enjoy his latest rap song, “Tegatron,” dedicated to Otega Oweh for his Big Blue Madness player intro.

BBN!!! I know it was tough to hear but here you go 🤝🏾 Tegatron @OtegaOweh pic.twitter.com/2nWR9zFD17

— Lamont Butler (@lamont_butler1) October 12, 2025

“Otega in the building, BBN up to the ceiling. Two game-winners in the same year, yeah, I know the feeling.”