The Atlanta Hawks have exercised Mouhamed Gueye’s fourth-year team option worth $2.41 million for the 2026-27 season, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The move keeps the 23-year-old forward under contract after he established himself as a reliable member of Atlanta’s rotation during the 2025-26 campaign.
Gueye appeared in a career-high 77 regular-season games, including eight starts, while averaging 4.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 15.3 minutes per game. He shot 45.2% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range, providing frontcourt depth behind Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson on a Hawks team that finished 46-36 and claimed the Southeast Division title before reaching the playoffs.
Although his offensive role remained limited, Gueye earned consistent minutes through his defensive versatility and availability. He averaged 1.2 offensive rebounds per game and committed just 0.4 turnovers while serving primarily as a reserve forward. His durability also stood out, with only Nickeil Alexander-Walker (78 games) appearing in more regular-season contests for Atlanta.
The decision to exercise Gueye’s option is part of an active offseason for the Hawks as they look to build on last season’s playoff appearance. Atlanta recently acquired Aaron Wiggins from the Oklahoma City Thunder using its $11 million trade exception, traded for the draft rights to second-round center Henri Veesaar, re-signed veteran guard CJ McCollum to a one-year, $21 million extension, and delayed the guarantee date on Buddy Hield’s contract to preserve additional roster flexibility.
Atlanta also added two first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Houston guard Kingston Flemings with the eighth overall pick and St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor at No. 23. Those additions increase the competition in the rotation, but retaining Gueye provides continuity in a frontcourt that already features Johnson, Okongwu, Jonathan Kuminga, Asa Newell and rookie Veesaar.
Johnson led the Hawks in scoring last season with 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game while earning All-Star honors and All-NBA Third Team recognition. Okongwu averaged 15.2 points and 7.6 rebounds, while Dyson Daniels contributed 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists and finished among the league’s top defensive players.
The Hawks were eliminated by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in six games during the first round of the playoffs, but the organization has prioritized maintaining much of its core while supplementing the roster through trades and the draft.
