The Atlanta Hawks announced the signings of guards Lamont Butler, Deivon Smith, and M.J. Walker, adding depth to their roster ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Butler, who played for Atlanta’s 2025 NBA Summer League squad, appeared in 27 games for Kentucky in 2024–25, averaging career highs of 11.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds, with 1.6 steals in 26 minutes per contest.
The California native spent four seasons at San Diego State before transferring to Kentucky, leading the Aztecs to the 2023 NCAA National Championship Game. He finished fifth all-time in steals and was a three-time Mountain West All-Defensive Team member, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023–24.
Over five collegiate seasons, Butler played 158 games, averaging 8.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 23.8 minutes.
Smith, a Decatur, Georgia, native, contributed in two Summer League games for the Hawks, posting 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 14.2 minutes while shooting 60 percent from the field.
During the 2024–25 season at St. John’s, Smith played 30 games, averaging 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 27.1 minutes, earning All-MET Honorable Mention. He played collegiately at Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Utah, and St. John’s over a five-year career.
Walker brings NBA experience to the Hawks, appearing in two games with Phoenix in 2021–22 and 132 G League contests with the Westchester Knicks and Greensboro Swarm. He averaged 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 25 minutes in the G League.
The Georgia native starred at Florida State, playing 120 games with 82 starts, averaging nine points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while leading the Seminoles to three NCAA Tournament appearances and earning two All-ACC honors.
