Atlanta Hawks request waivers on Diamond Stone

The Atlanta Hawks announced Monday that they have requested waivers on Diamond Stone. The young center arrived less than a month ago in the trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that also netted the Hawks Jamal Crawford (who was later bought out), $1.3 million (which is Stone’s exact contract amount), and a lightly protected first-round pick via the Houston Rockets.

Stone played just seven games for the Clippers last season and likely would have spent a majority of this season in the G League with the Erie Bayhawks. Still, it’s surprising to see the Hawks move on from him.

Stone’s departure opens up another roster spot, but doesn’t come with any additional cap space. His contract was fully guaranteed, so the Hawks will keep his $1.3 million salary on the books as dead money, leaving them with just $6.1 million in cap space and their $4.3 million Room Exception to add to fill out the two remaining roster spots.

This move may be a precursor to another move down the line, whether the Hawks have their eye on a rotation player with their remaining cap space or they need that spot for a potential trade.

Stay tuned.