Hawks re-sign NBA Dunk Contest participant in latest free agency move

The Atlanta Hawks have re-signed Jacob Toppin in free agency. The team tendered a qualifying offer to Toppin, making him a restricted free agent, and he has now accepted a new two-way contract with the Hawks.

This contract means Toppin will occupy one of the Hawks' three two-way roster spots. As a two-way player, he will be limited to 50 NBA games during the regular season and will not be eligible for the playoffs unless the Hawks convert his contract to a standard NBA deal. The team previously signed Eli Ndiaye to another two-way spot this offseason.

Toppin will be entering his second season with the Hawks, who acquired him in March of last season after his release by the New York Knicks. He appeared in only one regular season game for Atlanta last year. However, he spent significant time in the G League, playing 23 games (averaging over 36 minutes) for the Westchester Knicks and College Park Skyhawks. In the G League, he averaged 22.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists with shooting splits of 50.4% from the field, 37.1% from three-point range, and 81.2% from the free-throw line.

Toppin began his NBA career on a two-way contract with the Knicks during the 2023-24 season, after having an Exhibit 10 deal converted. He is the younger brother of Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin. Jacob Toppin also participated in the NBA Dunk Contest during the 2024 All-Star Weekend.