Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Hawks guard Kris Dunn undergoes arthroscopic ankle surgery

Hawks guard Kris Dunn recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage in his right ankle.

He will be placed in a walking boot, and after two weeks of rest, his health status will be reviewed.

Per the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “I know (vice president of athletic performance and sports medicine Chelsea Lane has) been in communication with (him) and the family,” Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said Thursday (the team is still in Brooklyn, and will face the Nets again Friday). “It sounds as if everything went well, as well as the surgery can go, and he’s staying here at the hotel. But he’s post-op and laying low.”

Hawks guard Kris Dunn to undergo arthroscopic surgery on ankle

Atlanta Hawks guard Kris Dunn underwent an MRI on Nov. 24th, which confirmed cartilage disruption in his right knee. He has been able to participate in modified individual workouts and modified team practice.

While showing steady improvement from the cartilage disruption in his right knee, Dunn began experiencing discomfort in his right ankle and low back as his on-court loads increased.

A recent MRI revealed loose cartilage inhibiting his range of motion in the ankle and creating compensations in his knees and low back. A tele-visit with Dr. Martin O’Malley of the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York on Dec. 23rd confirmed the diagnosis.

Dunn is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove the loose cartilage in his right ankle on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the Hospital of Special Surgery.

Atlanta Hawks exercise contract options on Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the fourth-year (2021-22) contract options on Kevin Huerter and Trae Young, along with the third-year (2021-22) options on De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish.

Entering his third season with the Hawks, Huerter last season averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 31.4 minutes (.413 FG%, .380 3FG%, .828 FT%) in 56 contests (48 starts). He finished second on the team with 127 3FGM, including two games with a career-high-tying six triples. He scored in double-figures 35 times, including six games with 20-or-more points. Through 131 contests (107 starts) in two seasons, he holds career averages of 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.1 minutes (.416 FG%, .383 3FG%, .783 FT%). The 19th overall pick in 2018, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2018-19.

Also entering his third year and an Eastern Conference All-Star starter last season, Young put up 29.6 points, 9.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 35.3 minutes (.437 FG%, .361 3FG%, .860 FT%) in 60 starts, ranking second in the NBA in assists, fourth in scoring, 10th in minutes and 26th in free-throw percentage. Young led the Eastern Conference in assists for the second straight season and hit double digits in scoring 57 times, including 49 contests with at least 20 points. Through 141 games (all starts) in his two seasons, he’s averaged 23.6 points, 8.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 32.8 minutes (.428 FG%, .344 3FG%, .847 FT%). Young, the fifth overall pick in 2018, was a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018-19.

As a rookie last season, Hunter averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 32.0 minutes (.410 FG%, .355 3FG%, .764 FT%). Among qualifying rookies, he ranked first in minutes per game, fifth in free-throw percentage, tied for fifth in three-point percentage, sixth in rebounding, seventh in field goal percentage and tied for seventh in scoring. He scored in double-figures 42 times, including eight games with 20-or-more, and recorded 15 games with at least three three-pointers, the third-highest total by a rookie in Hawks history. The fourth overall pick in 2019, he is one of three rookies in league history to reach 12.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 32.0 mpg and 100 triples on .350 3FG% (Stephen Curry, Shane Battier).

Reddish averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 26.7 minutes as a rookie last season. Among qualifying first-year players, he ranked second in steals per game, ninth in minutes per game, three-point percentage and blocks per game, 11th in points and rebounds per game. He placed second among rookies in steals (62) and had at least eight games with three steals, the second-highest total among rookies. The 10th overall pick in 2019, Reddish was also one of three rookies last season to compile at least 100 FTM (101) and 80 3FGM (83).

Clint Capela makes debut in a Hawks jersey

NBA preseason began yesterday. It’ll be an incredibly brief period of exhibition games, with the regular season starting December 22.

One of the teams making the biggest splashes this offseason was the Atlanta Hawks, who fell 116-102 to the Orlando Magic. But one key Hawks addition was made last season: center Clint Capela, who arrived to the team while injured. He made his debut yesterday. Via the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Not long after Lloyd Pierce subbed Clint Capela out in the fourth quarter, Capela asked him if he could get back in the game.

Capela was about four minutes under the 24-to-25 minute restriction Pierce had assigned everyone, but he decided to keep the center, making his debut in a Hawks jersey and playing in his first NBA setting since Jan. 29, out for the final stretch of the game…

Most of the returning Hawks players haven’t played since March 11, but Capela has been out even longer, bothered by a nagging heel injury until he eventually started feeling better this summer. He’s now fully healthy, but it will take a while for him to get back in game shape. In just 20 minutes, though, he already helped alleviate the Hawks’ rebounding woes.

Capela finished with 14 rebounds (nine defensive, five offensive) in a smaller amount of playing time than he’ll normally get, and helped the Hawks out-rebound the Magic, 61-49.

A number of key Hawks played very limited minutes yesterday, and didn’t have their best games. But the squad is one to watch once the season begins.

The Atlanta Hawks had a busy NBA offseason

Last season’s Hawks won’t be this season’s Hawks. Things changed over the offseason. Via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Overall, the Hawks added nine new faces as they revamped their roster this offseason with an eye on winning now, as opposed to gathering assets and rebuilding for the future as they’ve done in recent years. Some of the most notable additions include a handful of experienced veterans (Danilo Gallinari, Rajon Rondo, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, Tony Snell, Solomon Hill) who will be expected to contribute from the get-go, but also share what they’ve learned with the Hawks’ young core of players, most of which is still quite young.

Some of that may be X’s and O’s-related, some of that may be more intangible.

Immediately, though, many returning players have noticed an increased amount of team communication, which is a good sign on a team that often struggled to talk enough on the court last season. Some of that came simply from having quieter players on the roster, and some of it was because the Hawks had several rookies and young players getting heavy playing time while still learning the NBA.

The Hawks finished 20-47 in the coronavirus-shortened 2019-20 NBA season. Trae Young put up 29.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game, but there weren’t a lot of bright spots in Atlanta beyond those numbers. But now, on paper, a squad is emerging.

Hawks players Kris Dunn, Tony Snell, Onyeka Okongwu dealing with injuries

With 2020-21 NBA training camps set to open tomorrow, the Atlanta Hawks have some player injuries:

Guard Kris Dunn underwent an MRI on November 24, which confirmed cartilage disruption in his right knee. He is currently able to participate in modified individual workouts. He will be reviewed on December 11 and an update will be provided as appropriate.

Forward/center Onyeka Okongwu underwent an MRI on November 20, which confirmed inflammation of the sesamoid bone in his left foot. Following a period of unloading and rest, Okongwu has begun a graduated return to re-loading, including form shooting and conditioning activities. He will be reviewed on December 11 and an update will be provided as appropriate.

Guard Tony Snell underwent an MRI on November 20, which confirmed inflammation of the cuboid bone in his right foot. Following a period of unloading and rest, Snell has begun a graduated return to re-loading, including form shooting and conditioning activities. He will be reviewed on December 11 and an update will be provided as appropriate.

Hawks sign former Bulls guard Kris Dunn

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent guard Kris Dunn.

“Kris is an elite defender and an intense competitor who will bring real value to our group,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk. “We are happy to add him and believe his presence will improve our club.”

In 51 games (32 starts) with the Chicago Bulls last season, the Providence College graduate swiped 1.98 steals per game (second-best in the NBA), adding 7.3 points, 3.6 boards and 3.4 assists in 24.9 minutes. Dunn shot a career-best .444 FG% in 2019-20, including .630 FG% (29-46) over his final eight games played.

Originally selected by Minnesota with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Dunn holds career averages of 8.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.55 steals in 24.3 minutes through 227 contests (126 starts) with the Timberwolves and Bulls. Among players from his draft class, Dunn ranks second in career steals (351) and fourth in assists (948). Since the beginning of the 2016-17 season, Dunn’s 1.55 steals per game rank 15th among all qualifying players and his 351 total steals rank 25th.

The New London, Conn. native will wear jersey No. 32.

Atlanta Hawks sign forward Solomon Hill

The Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, November 25 signed free agent forward Solomon Hill.

“Solomon is a player who has been on four playoff teams and has competed on the highest level,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk. “We are fortunate to add his veteran presence to our group.”

Hill has played in 364 regular season NBA games (172 starts) over the course of seven NBA seasons with Indiana, New Orleans, Memphis and Miami. The Los Angeles native holds career averages of 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22.0 minutes per matchup (.395 FG%, .336 3FG%, .801 FT%). Hill has appeared in 24 playoff contests with the Pacers, Pelicans and Heat, shooting .463 (19-41) from beyond-the-arc and .923 (24-26) from the free-throw line in postseason play. The 6’7 forward played in four NBA Finals games in 2020 for the Heat.

The 23rd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by Indiana, Hill was a four-year player at the University of Arizona and left tied for the most games played (139) in Wildcats history.

He will wear jersey No. 18.

Hawks sign former Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic

The Atlanta Hawks have signed restricted free agent guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Per multiple reports, Bogdanovic’s Hawks contract is a four-year deal for $72 million.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “the Kings have elected not to match the Hawks’ offer for the 28-year-old restricted free agent, the AJC confirmed, and thus he will play for Atlanta this season, rounding out a handful of moves that have significantly improved its roster.”

“Bogdan has a great feel for the game, and we expect him to be a great fit for us with his high-level offensive skill set, experience and toughness,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk. “It’s no secret that one of our biggest areas of focus in free agency was adding shooting and quality depth. With Bogdan as part of our incoming group, we feel those are now areas of strength.”

Bogdanovic, 28, averaged 15.1 points, 3.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.0 minutes for the Kings last season (.440 FG%, .372 3FG%, .741 FT%), appearing in 61 games (28 starts). He was tied for 24th in the NBA in three-pointers made (164). In his three-year career in Sacramento, the native of Belgrade, Serbia has totaled 13.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 28.2 minutes (.434 FG%, .374 3FG%, .806 FT%) in 209 games (97 starts).

Originally the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by Phoenix, the 6-foot-6 Bogdanovic played internationally for Partizan (Serbia) and Fenerbahce (Turkey) before coming to the NBA.

He will wear jersey No. 13.

Thunder sign-and-trade Danilo Gallinari to Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward Danilo Gallinari (da-KNEE-lo gal-in-ARE-ee) and cash considerations in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a conditional 2025 second-round pick in a sign-and-trade transaction.

“Danilo checks a lot of boxes for what we have prioritized. We wanted to add productive veterans and high-level shooting to our group and he provides both. At his size, he is one of the league’s most versatile and efficient scorers and he has proven to be the type of veteran you want in your locker room,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk.

Last season in 62 games with Oklahoma City, the 6-foot-10 native of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy averaged 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.6 minutes (.438 FG%, .405 3FG%, .893 FT%), ranking 16th in the league in three-pointers made (178), tied for 19th in three-point percentage and sixth in free-throw percentage. Over the last two seasons, Gallinari has averaged 19.3 points while shooting .418 3FGs (on 6.2 3FGA per game).

Through 11 NBA seasons, in 611 games (541 starts) with New York, Denver, the LA Clippers and Oklahoma City, Gallinari has averaged 16.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30.9 minutes (.427 FG%, .380 3FG%, .873 FT%). He’s also seen action in 25 career postseason contests (all starts) with the Nuggets and Thunder, averaging 15.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 31.3 minutes.

Gallinari was the sixth overall pick by the Knicks in the 2008 NBA Draft following an Italian League MVP season with Olimpia Milano.

Born on August 8, 1988 (8/8/88), he will wear jersey No. 8.