Atlanta Hawks Request Waivers On Former Saint John's Standout Guard

Deivon Smith signed with the Hawks earlier this week, but has already been waived by the team

Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; St. John's Red Storm guard Deivon Smith (5) dribbles during the second half of a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

After signing with the Hawks earlier in the week, former Saint John's guard Deivon Smith has been waived. Atlanta signed Smith, M.J. Walker, and Lamont Butler before the preseason win over the Miami Heat, but have since waived Walker and Smith.

Smith appeared in two games with the Hawks during the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 14.2 minutes (.600 FG%, 1.000 FT%).

Prior to suiting up for Atlanta’s Summer League team, the Decatur, Georgia, native saw action in 30 games (17 starts) with St. John’s during the 2024-25 season, notching 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.1 minutes of play, earning All-MET Honorable Mention.

Over the course of a five-year collegiate career, Smith appeared in 139 games (64 starts), averaging 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.8 minutes, suiting up for Mississippi State (2020-21), Georgia Tech (2021-23), Utah (2023-24) and St. John’s (2024-25).

Walker has appeared in two NBA games with the Phoenix Suns during the 2021-22 season on a 10-day contract, making his NBA debut on Dec. 31 at Boston. He has seen action in 132 career NBA G League games (57 starts) across four seasons with the Westchester Knicks (2021-23) and Greensboro Swarm (2023-25), owning averages of 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.0 minutes (.410 FG%, .375 3FG%, .795 FT%). The 6-5 guard knocked down a career-high 10 three-pointers in a win over Mexico City on Feb. 21, 2025, finishing with 30 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 32 minutes.

A native of Jonesboro, Georgia, Walker appeared in 120 career collegiate games (82 starts) across four seasons at Florida State (2017-21), recording 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.3 minutes of play. The two-time All-ACC selection (All-ACC Second Team in 2021, All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2020), finished his Seminole career with 96 wins, the third-most in school history, leading Florida State to three NCAA Tournament appearances in his four seasons (2018, 2019, 2021).

Butler, a member of Atlanta’s NBA 2K26 Summer League 2025 team, appeared in 27 games (all starts) for Kentucky during the 2024-25 season, tallying career highs of 11.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds, in addition to 1.6 steals in 26.0 minutes (.498 FG%, .391 3FG%, .735 FT%).

A native of Moreno Valley, California, Butler spent his first four collegiate seasons suiting up for San Diego State (2020-24), leading the Aztecs to the 2023 NCAA National Championship Game. He finished his Aztecs career ranked fifth all-time in steals (183), sixth in conference victories (52), ninth in total victories and 10th in assists (338). A three-time Mountain West Conference All-Defensive Team member, Butler was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24.

In five collegiate seasons, Butler appeared in 158 games (129 starts), owning career averages of 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 23.8 minutes (.428 FG%, .333 3FG%, .691 FT%).