The Atlanta Hawks have officially waived Serbian forward Nikola Djurisic, marking a significant roster change under head coach Quin Snyder. This move leaves Zaccharie Risacher as the only European player on the team, reflecting a notable shift in the franchise’s player development strategy.
Background on Djurisic’s NBA Journey
Djurisic was the 43rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, selected by the Miami Heat before his rights were traded immediately to Atlanta. His passing through the draft continued the strong connection between the Serbian club Mega MIS and the NBA. After spending his rookie professional season with the College Park Skyhawks, he officially joined Atlanta’s NBA roster prior to the 2025-26 season. Despite this, he spent the majority of his time playing in the G League, where he averaged 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists this season.
Challenges and Uncertain Future for Djurisic
Injuries and struggles with shooting efficiency during his G League appearances have hampered Djurisic’s progress. With the Hawks waiving him, other NBA teams have two days to claim his contract. If unclaimed, options likely include another stint in the G League or potentially returning to a competitive European league.
Roster Moves and European Player Departures
This decision also freed a roster spot for the Hawks to upgrade Caleb Houstan from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal. The move comes after the recent exits of European players Kristaps Porziņgis from Latvia and VÃt Krejci from the Czech Republic. Within a few weeks, Atlanta’s roster has shifted from including four European prospects to just Risacher remaining abroad.
Implications for Hawks’ Development Path
The Hawks’ release of Djurisic signals a deliberate adjustment in their approach to nurturing young talent, particularly international players. This roster reshuffling may impact the team’s long-term plans as they balance development priorities with immediate competitive demands.
