John Salmons Released by Atlanta Hawks

As expected and reported by Peachtree Hoops previously, the Atlanta Hawks have waived John Salmons prior to the midnight deadline that would have guaranteed his seven million dollar contract for the 2014-2015 season.

Salmons immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with anyone, provided LeBron James finally signs somewhere and things get moving.

The Hawks must carry one million of Salmons' contract against the cap, the lone portion of the contract for the year that was guaranteed. Salmons and his partially guaranteed contract was picked up in a trade with Toronto that sent Lou Williams and Lucas Nogueira to the Raptors. The Hawks also acquired a future second round pick in the trade as well.

The Hawks have the cap room to continue to negotiate with other free agents as laid out in our own Hawksfanatic's article Thursday. The Hawks, with predicted cap holds and exceptions, have about 14-15 million to spend on free agents, after this Salmons release.

There has been no change in status of any of the Hawks free agents, including Shelvin Mack, Mike Scott, Gustavo Ayon and Elton Brand. Mack and Scott have been offered qualifying offers for about a million dollars apiece, making them restricted free agents.