Kofi Inkoom
The Atlanta Hawks have opted not to extend a qualifying offer to forward Saddiq Bey, meaning he will become an unrestricted free agent instead of restricted, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
This decision comes as the Hawks exercise their team option on sharpshooter Garrison Mathews for the 2024/25 season, as reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Bey, drafted 19th overall in 2020, spent his first two-and-a-half seasons with the Pistons before being traded to the Hawks last season.
Despite showing potential as a three-and-D wing, averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over his NBA career, Bey struggled with inconsistency in the 2023/24 season, shooting a career-low 31.6% from three-point range before suffering a left ACL tear in March.
His recovery from this injury is expected to keep him out for a significant portion, if not all, of the upcoming season.
Before his injury, Bey met the criteria for a higher qualifying offer, which the Hawks decided against due to financial considerations and uncertainty around his recovery timeline.
This move avoids the risk of Bey accepting a substantial offer while being sidelined, potentially leaving Atlanta as a free agent once healthy.
On the other hand, Mathews, known for his sharpshooting, had a career-best shooting season in 2023/24, hitting 44% of his three-point attempts.
The 27-year-old shooting guard, who also played for the Wizards and Rockets before joining the Hawks, will now look forward to becoming eligible for a contract extension on July 6.
His consistent performance as a floor-spacer off the bench has solidified his role with Atlanta, paving the way for potential future deals with the team.