Central newcomer Henri Veesaar suffered a tear in his right knee during training on September 15, and will undergo surgery next month. Hawks reported in the press release.
The Estonian giant is expected to miss the entire 2026/27 season, according to the team.
After spending three years in a relatively modest role at Arizona, including a redshirt sophomore, Visaar had a stellar junior season with North Carolina in 2025-26, averaging 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 blocks in 31 games as the team’s regular starting center.
Veesaar was a strong finisher in the paint, making 67.7% of his 8.0 two-point attempts per game. He also knocked down 42.6% of his 3.0 3-point attempts per contest, although he made just 61.5% of his free throws (3.8 attempts).
Projected by many draft experts as a late first-round pick, Veesaar fell all the way to No. 52 in June’s draft when the Hawks exchanged with #57 to catch him. According to various reports during the second round, there were other teams interested in Veesaar, but his representatives were referring him to a club willing to give him a standard contract and a spot on the 15-man roster.
Water island signed four-year, $9.26 million contract with Atlanta in July. The first two seasons are guaranteed. The third is non-guaranteed and the fourth is a team option.
It’s a tough blow for Veesaar and obviously not good news for the Hawks, who were already a bit depleted in the frontcourt. Forward/Center Muhammed Guye broke his foot in July and then underwent surgery to repair the injury. Gueye is expected to be re-evaluated in the next month or two.
Hawks, which reportedly were discussing trade featuring the Hornets Buddy Hield and Dorian Finney-Smithfaced a roster deficit this fall with 15 players on guaranteed standard contracts and Gaye on a non-guaranteed contract. If Atlanta were to waive Guye, the team would still have to pay him until he is fully recovered from his injury.
