It is wild that two players who just finished their time with the Atlanta Hawks are now playing against each other in the same city. On July 29, 2026, Jacob Toppin signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv. Just days later, on August 5, 2026, Keaton Wallace signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv. These are the two biggest teams in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. They are fierce rivals. Now, two former Hawks will face off in the capital city of Israel.
Even while the Jonathan Kuminga saga drags on, the 2026-27 Hawks roster keeps evolving, notes Per Peachtree Hoops. This news confirms that two players from last year’s team will not return to Atlanta. Both men found new homes quickly after their NBA stints ended. It is a rare double departure for the same franchise in such a short window.
Toppin’s Injury Setback
Jacob Toppin did not get the big summer league performance he wanted. He aimed to demonstrate his abilities in live basketball after several months away from the court. A labrum injury had ended his 2025-26 season early. He needed a fresh start. Hapoel Tel Aviv gave him that chance. The team plays in the capital city of Israel. Toppin is now part of their squad. This move comes after a tough year that cut his NBA time short.
Wallace’s Rapid Rise and Departure
Keaton Wallace’s path was different but the end result is the same. During the 2024-25 season, he held a two-way deal with the Hawks. A full contract was secured by him before the previous season began. He appeared in 53 games for the team last season. That is a lot of games for a guard who just got his break. However, he played for a total of just 536 minutes. That is an average of about ten minutes per game. Despite the limited time, he made enough of an impression to get a deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv. This is a top-tier club in Europe.
Peachtree Hoops reports that a crosstown rival within the same league recently acquired a Hawk. This means the Hawks have lost two players to the same city. One went to Hapoel. The other went to Maccabi. It is a strange twist of fate. These two teams will battle for the league title. Now they will battle with former teammates on their rosters.
The Hawks are still building their core for the future. The Jonathan Kuminga saga is still going on. But losing two rotation players to Israel changes the math. Wallace played 53 games. Toppin was a former two-way player. Both are now gone. The team needs to find replacements soon. The 2026-27 season is right around the corner. The roster is taking shape, but it looks different than expected.
Both players signed contracts with two different teams in Israel. The news broke this week. It is a quick turnaround. Toppin signed on July 29. Wallace signed on August 5. That is less than a week apart. The timing is tight. The Hawks front office has to react fast. They cannot wait forever for free agents. They need to fill the gaps left by these departures. The season starts soon. The pressure is on.
