Hawks finalize buyout of Ersan Ilyasova’s contract

Atlanta Hawks' Ersan Ilyasova, left, moves to the hoop against Indiana Pacers' Thaddeus Young in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Atlanta, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Credit: David Goldman

Credit: David Goldman

Atlanta Hawks' Ersan Ilyasova, left, moves to the hoop against Indiana Pacers' Thaddeus Young in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Atlanta, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

The Hawks bought out the remainder of Ersan Ilyasova’s contract on Monday and subsequently waived the veteran forward.

Once Ilyasova clears waivers, as expected, he will be a free agent. The 76ers reportedly are interested in signing Ilyasova.

The Hawks and Ilyasova reached a tentative buyout agreement on Friday. The Hawks held Ilyasova out of Friday’s loss at Indiana as he gauged interest from other teams.

Ilyasova’s Hawks contract was set to expire at the end of the season and he is eligible to become a free agent in the summer. Earlier this month, Ilyasova invoked his right to reject the trade offers the Hawks presented to him. Under collective bargaining rules, Ilyasova is eligible for a larger contract as a free agent this summer than he would be if he had accepted a trade.

Ilyasova played 26 games for the Hawks last season after they acquired him in a trade with the 76ers. He re-signed with them last summer for one year and $6 million and was a starter much of this season.

In 72 total games (53 starts) with the Hawks, Ilyasova averaged 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 25.1 minutes per game while shooting 35.5 percent on 3-pointers.