By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Atlanta Hawks have officially waived Serbian prospect Nikola Djurisic, leaving Zaccharie Risacher as the lone European representative on head coach Quin Snyder’s roster. The decision to place the 21-year-old forward on waivers was announced on Wednesday, signaling a swift shift in the franchise’s developmental focus.
Djurisic was selected 43rd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, presented by State Farm, by the Miami Heat before being immediately traded to Atlanta. His selection initially extended the prolific pipeline between Serbian club Mega MIS and the NBA. After spending his first professional year with the College Park Skyhawks, he formally joined the NBA roster before the 2025-26 Regular Season. However, he remained primarily assigned to the G League, where he averaged 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest this season.
Ultimately, his tenure in Atlanta was marred by frustration, defined by significant injuries and inefficient shooting displays in the G League. Other NBA franchises now have a 48-hour window to claim his existing contract. If he clears waivers, his future options are expected to range from another G League developmental opportunity to a return to a high-level European league.
By waiving Djurisic, the Hawks opened a roster spot, allowing them to convert 23-year-old Caleb Houstan from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal. This roster move follows the recent departures of Latvian center Kristaps Porziņgis and Czech guard Vít Krejci. In a matter of weeks, the Hawks have pivoted from a roster featuring four European talents to one with only the former top draft pick, Risacher, remaining.