Forward Ersan Ilyasova has been waived by the Atlanta Hawks, the team announced Monday.
After failing to deal the 30-year-old veteran ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Atlanta was long-expected to release Ilyasova via buyout, opening the door for the six-foot-10 forward from Turkey to sign with a contending team for the NBA’s stretch run.
At 18-42, the Hawks are in last place in the Eastern Conference — only the Phoenix Suns have a worse record in the league. Ilyasova signed a one-year $6 million contract with Atlanta last summer.
Believed to be a buyout target for several teams, including the Toronto Raptors, Ilyasova averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 36 per cent from beyond the arc in 46 games so far this season.
Ilyasova had already been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers and is expected to sign with the team.
Once a deal with Philadelphia is finalized, it will mark Ilyasova’s second stint with the 76ers during his 11-year career. In 2016-17 he suited up for Philly and averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game.
Following the trade deadline, the 76ers signed guard Marco Belinelli, who also reached a buyout agreement with the Hawks. The Sixers are currently in seventh place in the East with a 32-26 record.
If they stamp their ticket to the playoffs as expected, it will be the franchise’s first post-season appearance in six years.
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