Atlanta Hawks Blog – Page 20 – NBA Blog

Hawks sign Alex Poythress and Daniel Hamilton

The Atlanta Hawks signed forward Alex Poythress guard/forward Daniel Hamilton today.

Poythress’ deal is confirmed by the team to be a two-way contract. Hamilton’s contract is probably a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings him to training camp.

The Hawks are in serious rebuilding mode. There isn’t a single player on the roster right now that is considered a star in today’s NBA. The good news is, this means there’s plenty of opportunity for almost everybody on this super-young roster to step up and quickly put their name on the map.

Eyes will certainly be on rookies Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, and young power forward John Collins, among others.

And then there’s Jeremy Lin. Maybe we’ll see Linsanity 2.0. Don’t count on it, because Lin is older now and coming back from serious injury. But if it were to happen, this is the year and the roster for such a blessing to occur.

As for today’s pair of signings, here’s more on each player:

Hamilton spent last season on a two-way contact with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League. In six games with the Thunder, he averaged 2.0 points and 1.3 assists in 4.7 minutes (.455 FG%, .400 3FG%). He started 45 games with the Blue, averaging 16.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.8 minutes (.406 FG%, .813 FT%).

As a rookie in 2016-17, Hamilton appeared in 49 contests (47 starts) with the Blue, compiling 14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 31.2 minutes (.426 FG%, .374 3FG%, .767 FT%).

Following two seasons at Connecticut, Hamilton was selected with the 56th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by Denver, before his rights were traded to Oklahoma City in exchange for cash considerations.

As a sophomore for the Huskies, he was one of two Division I players in the country (joining Ben Simmons) with 450 points, 300 rebounds and 150 assists. On the season, he averaged 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.9 minutes, which earned him Second Team All-AAC honors.

A native of Los Angeles, CA, he attended Crenshaw High School before transferring to St. John Bosco for his final two seasons. He will wear No. 5.

Poythress (POY-thress) finished last season with the Indiana Pacers, where he appeared in 25 games. He began the season on a two-way contract with the Pacers and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (originally signing on August 22, 2017), before his contract was converted on December 28, 2017.

In seven starts with the Mad Ants, he averaged 20.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks in 24.0 minutes (.482 FG%, .675 FT%).

As a rookie in 2016-17, the 6’9” forward signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on April 1, 2017 and averaged 10.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26.2 minutes (.463 FG%, .800 FT%) in six contests. He also appeared in 46 games (45 starts) with the Mad Ants prior to signing with the 76ers, and put in 18.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks in 31.1 minutes (.528 FG%, .403 3FG%, .783 FT%). Poythress earned All-NBA G League Second Team and All-NBA G League Rookie team honors, also earning a spot in the NBA G League All-Star Game that season.

In four seasons at University of Kentucky (2012-16), he finished his career with 966 points, 597 rebounds and 77 blocks, becoming the 12th player in program history with at least 900 points, 500 rebounds and 70 blocks. As a senior in 2015-16, Poythress compiled 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 23.6 minutes (.601 FG%, .706 FT%), playing 31 games and starting 23.

He was named Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball following his senior year at Northeast High School in Clarksville, TN, also earning Parade and McDonald’s All-America honors. Poythress was born in Savannah, GA. He will wear No. 22.

Only players with three-or-fewer years of NBA experience are permitted to sign two-way contracts. Per league rules, teams are allowed to have up to two two-way players on their roster at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular season roster. A two-way player for the Hawks will primarily play for the team’s NBA G League Affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, but can spend up to 45 days with Atlanta, not including any time prior to the start of Erie’s training camp and after the conclusion of their season.

Atlanta Hawks hired and promoted numerous people today

The Atlanta Hawks today made several additions and promotions within their basketball operations department.

The Hawks hired Chelsea Lane as Executive Director of Athletic Performance and Sports Medicine, where she will oversee the Hawks’ Athletic Performance Team and medical staff. Other new hires to the APT staff include Michael Irr as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, John Dusel as Assistant Athletic Trainer/Strength & Conditioning, and Ty Terrell as Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach.

Dwight Lutz recently joined the organization as Director of Basketball Strategy & Analytics, Dipesh Mistry has been hired as Head Video Coordinator, veteran NBA executive Larry Riley has been named Senior Advisor, Nick Ressler has been added as Coordinator of Basketball Operations and Victor Williams has been named as a Security Consultant.

Promotions include Rod Higgins, who has been named Vice President of Basketball Operations, and Daniel Starkman, who has been elevated to Manager of Basketball Operations. Additionally, Therian Williams moves into an Assistant Video Coordinator role.

Lane was with the Golden State Warriors the last three years, serving as Head of Physical Performance and Sports Medicine the last two after beginning her stint as Head Performance Therapist. Lane joined the Warriors from High Performance Sport New Zealand, the provider of sports medicine and athletic performance programs for that nation’s Olympic athletes. The native of Australia was also the lead physiotherapist for New Zealand’s national track and field program.

Also formerly with the Warriors, Irr was most recently Head of Strength and Conditioning. He joined Golden State in 2015 after serving in a similar position for the Charlotte Bobcats from 2008-11 and as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago Bulls from 2006-08. Irr is an Exercise Science graduate of University of Connecticut with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of North Carolina.

Dusel comes to the Hawks from Golden State as well, where last season he was Assistant Athletic Trainer/Strength & Conditioning following a season as the team’s Sports Performance Intern. He has a Bachelor’s in Athletic Training from the University of New England.

Terrell spent the last five years with Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (IFAST) as a performance coach. Prior to that, he owned and operated True Athletic Development, where he developed and implemented customized strength and conditioning programs. He also has experience with the Indy 11 of the NASL. Terrell attended Indiana Wesleyan University.

Lutz comes to the Hawks from the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he was a Basketball Operations Analyst. Lutz was previously with the NBA for four years as Senior Manager, Game Analytics and Strategy. Prior to his time with the NBA, Lutz served as a Statistical Analyst for Harris Connect, LLC. Lutz also spent time as a Teaching Assistant and Instructor, as well as a Statistical Consultant, at the University of Florida, where he received his Master’s in Statistics.

Most recently with the Phoenix Suns as the team’s Assistant Video Coordinator, Mistry was formerly an Assistant Coach at McMaster University and Ryerson University. He also has experience as a Video Coordinator for the men’s and women’s senior Canadian national teams. Mistry holds a Bachelor of commerce degree from Ryerson.

A veteran of nearly 50 years in basketball, including the last 30 in the NBA, Riley was the General Manager of the Warriors from 2009 to 2012, later serving as a consultant for the team. He was also an Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting for the Warriors, an Assistant Coach and Advance Scout for the Dallas Mavericks, Director of Player Personnel for the Vancouver Grizzlies and an Assistant Coach and Scout for the Milwaukee Bucks. Riley is the former Head Coach at Eastern New Mexico and Chadron State (NE).

Ressler joins the Hawks after working as an Analyst with Tishman Speyer, a Commercial Real Estate firm in New York. He has internship experience with WME/IMG in their Global Partnerships Group, with Wasserman in their Team Sports Group and with the NFL Network for their Integrated Sales team. Ressler majored in Finance, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.

With a varied background in law enforcement, Victor Williams joined the Hawks after eight years as an Agent with Homeland Security, based in Miami. Following high school and eight-and-a-half years in the United States Coast Guard, the Norfolk, VA native worked with U.S. Customs while earning a Liberal Arts degree from Berry University. He later worked as a customs agent in Atlanta from 2000-05 and with the Joint Terrorism Task Force from 2005-10.

Higgins, a longtime NBA player, executive, coach and scout, played 13 seasons with Chicago, Seattle, San Antonio, New Jersey, Golden State, Sacramento and Cleveland, before retiring in 1994. Higgins was an Assistant Coach with the Warriors from 1994-2000 before joining the Washington Wizards as Assistant General Manager. He returned to Golden State as General Manager, then spent 2007-14 with the Charlotte Bobcats, finishing as President of Basketball Operations. He was a college scout for the Hawks last season.

Starkman began with the Hawks as a seasonal assistant in 2015 before being promoted to several different positions within basketball operations. He was most recently Manager of Basketball Information and Scouting Coordinator. He is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, while also serving as a student manager for the men’s basketball team from 2011-15.

Therian Williams has been with the Hawks since 2016, working in video operations and player development. He was previously the Video Coordinator at his alma mater, St. Mary’s College, from 2013-16. He was team manager for the Gaels from 2009-13, earning his Bachelor’s in Sociology.

Hawks get Carmelo Anthony, Thunder get Dennis Schroder in three-team trade

The Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday acquired Carmelo Anthony and a protected 2022 first-round draft pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder along with Justin Anderson from the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team transaction, with Mike Muscala going to Philadelphia and Dennis Schröder going to Oklahoma City. As part of the trade, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot goes from Philadelphia to Oklahoma City.

The Hawks are expected to waive Melo, who reportedly may sign with the Rockets once he clears waivers.

“We want to welcome Dennis and Timothé to Oklahoma City and the Thunder,” said Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “Both of these players represent the continued transition of our style of play. Dennis provides us with another proven playmaker and someone that will only enhance the overall speed of our team. Timothé adds another young, long, versatile wing that can play multiple positions and complement our returning core. We are excited about the added depth and stylistic fit that both players provide as we enter our 11th season of Thunder Basketball.”

“On behalf of the Hawks organization, I’d like to thank Mike and Dennis for their contributions to our team over the last five years,” said Hawks General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk. “Both players worked extremely hard to develop and improve throughout their careers in Atlanta and each had a special connection with our fans. We wish them all the best moving forward.”

“Mike Muscala joins our program at a fantastic stage of his career. He has enjoyed some NBA success and his upside in the future is extremely bright,” 76ers Head Coach Brett Brown said. “We will use him both as a backup five and, at times, a power forward. His ability to shoot the ball and the energy with which he plays will help our basketball team.”

Schröder (6-1, 172) has appeared in 352 career games (161 starts) and averaged 12.9 points, 4.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per contest with Atlanta. Last season, the Braunschweig, Germany native appeared in 67 games (all starts), averaging a career-high 19.4 points, 6.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds and a career-best 1.07 steals in 31.0 minutes per game, making him just the fourth player in Hawks history to average at least 19 points and six assists over the course of a season.

Originally selected 17th overall by Atlanta in the 2013 NBA Draft, Schröder has increased his scoring average in each of his five NBA seasons since entering the league.

Luwawu-Cabarrot (6-6, 205) joins the Thunder after spending the 2017-18 season with Philadelphia where he appeared in 52 games (seven starts) and averaged 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 15.5 minutes per game.

Selected 24th overall in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the 76ers, the French native has appeared in 121 career games (26 starts) and holds career averages of 6.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16.5 minutes per game.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Carmelo Anthony and acknowledge his professionalism and contributions during his time with the Thunder,” said Presti. “Although his tenure was only one year, the fact that Melo is a part of our history is important to us. We appreciate Carmelo and his agent Leon Rose for their collaboration and communication as we worked to resolve the situation in a fashion that was suitable to everyone. We wish Melo and his family nothing but the best in the future.”

In one season with Oklahoma City, Anthony averaged 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 32.1 minutes per game. A 10-time All-Star, he scored his 25,000th career point on Jan. 27 at the Detroit Pistons, making him the 21st player in NBA history to achieve the feat. Anthony is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and the United States Olympic Men’s National Team’s all-time leading scorer.

Hawks waive Antonius Cleveland

The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on guard Antonius Cleveland.

Cleveland saw action in four games with the Hawks last season, averaging 3.3 points and 1.0 rebounds in 10.4 minutes (.571 FG%, 3-3 3FGs, 2-2 FTs). He was signed to a multi-year contract on Mar. 14 after signing consecutive 10-day contracts on Feb. 22 and Mar. 4.

Atlanta Hawks waive Jaylen Morris

The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Jaylen Morris today.

Morris played in six games last season with the Hawks, averaging 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.4 minutes. He was signed to a multi-year contract on March 21 after signing consecutive 10-day contracts on February 28 and March 11.

Nets trade Jeremy Lin to Hawks

The Nets today traded veteran guard Jeremy Lin, a 2025 second round draft pick, plus the right to swap second round picks in 2023 to the Atlanta Hawks. And in return for this package, the Nets receive the draft rights to guard Isaia Cordinier, plus a protected 2020 second round draft pick.

“We would like to thank Jeremy for all of his contributions to the Nets organization both on and off the court over the past two seasons and wish him much success as he moves forward with his basketball career,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks.

Lin, who originally signed with the Nets as a free agent on July 7, 2016, spent most of his time on the team sitting on the bench injured. He played in 37 games (34 starts) in the past two seasons with Brooklyn, averaging 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 24.5 minutes per game.

In 406 career games with the Nets, Hornets, Lakers, Rockets, Knicks and Warriors, Lin averages 12.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 26.6 minutes per game.

Lin starred collegiately at Harvard, where as a senior in 2009-10, he put up 16.4 points, 4.5 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks in 32.2 minutes (.519 FG%, .341 3FG%, .755 FT%). He was the first player in Ivy League history to record 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals in a career.

Born in Torrance, CA, Lin grew up in Palo Alto, CA, where he attended Palo Alto HS.

Cordinier was selected by Atlanta with the 44th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The French national currently plays for Olympique Antibes of the LNB Pro A.

Hawks sign Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, Omari Spellman

The Atlanta Hawks have signed rookies Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman.

Drafted 19th overall by the Hawks in the 2018 NBA Draft, Huerter averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 34.4 minutes (.503 FG%, .417 3FG%, .758 FT%) as a sophomore at Maryland while starting 32 games, garnering All-Big 10 Honorable Mention and All-Academic Big 10 honors. He ranked fourth in the conference in minutes per game and ninth in 3FG%. For his career, the 6’7 Huerter posted 12.0 points, 5.0 rebound and 3.0 assists in 31.9 minutes (.466 FG%, .394 3FG%, .748 FT%) in 65 games (all starts).

Spellman, the 30th overall pick by Atlanta in the 2018 NBA Draft, entered the draft after a redshirt freshman season at Villanova that saw him named the Big East Freshman of the Year while helping the Wildcats to the 2018 National Championship. He averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 28.1 minutes (.476 FG%, .433 3FG%, .700 FT%) in 40 games (39 starting assignments). He ranked second in the Big East in blocks and fourth in both rebounding and 3FG% in 2017-18.

An early-entry candidate, the 6’2 Young was a consensus First Team All-American as a freshman at Oklahoma after becoming the first player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring (27.4 ppg) and assists (8.7 apg), while also averaging 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 35.4 minutes (.422 FG%, .360 3FG%, .861 FT%) in 32 games (all starts). His scoring average was the highest in Big 12 history and his assists per game rank second on the all-time list. The Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year award winner, Young was also a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection and named the conference’s Freshman and Newcomer of the Year. He was selected fifth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft before the Hawks acquired his rights, along with a 2019 first-round draft pick, in exchange for the third overall selection, Luka Doncic.

The three Hawks rookies join second-year players John Collins, Tyler Dorsey, Antonius Cleveland and Jaylen Morris on Atlanta’s summer league team, which will begin competition on Monday in Utah vs. Memphis (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV).

Hawks sign Jaylen Adams to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed rookie Jaylen Adams to a two-way contract.

Adams, a 6’2” guard, played four years at St. Bonaventure, and as a senior in 2017-18, averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 37.0 minutes (.438 FG%, .436 3FG%, .851 FT%). He was the Atlantic 10 Conference Co-Player of the Year and an AP Honorable Mention All-American last season. He was First Team All-Conference in each of his final three collegiate seasons.

Adams attended Mount St. Joseph HS in Baltimore, MD, where he scored over 1,200 career points and led the Gaels to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference and Baltimore Catholic League championships as a senior in 2013-14.

Hawks waive Isaiah Taylor

The Atlanta Hawks requested waivers on guard Isaiah Taylor today.

Taylor appeared in 67 games last season for the Hawks, starting nine, and averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 17.4 minutes (.418 FG%, .702 FT%). He was signed by Atlanta on October 17, 2017.

The Hawks are in rebuild mode, and are currently led by Dennis Schroder. Almost everybody else on the roster is a supporting cast-level player. The team has to hope that rookies Trae Young and Kevin Huerter bring some serious game. But even if they do, the Hawks probably have years of rebuilding ahead of them.

Derek Pierce named GM of Erie BayHawks

The Atlanta Hawks today promoted Derek Pierce to General Manager of the Erie BayHawks (Atlanta’s G League affiliate). This will be in addition to Pierce’s current role within the Hawks basketball operations team.

Hawks General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk had to this to say about the move: “We are excited to have Derek take over as General Manager of the BayHawks. He has earned this position, working his way up throughout his time in the league and is well-respected by his peers for his work ethic and eye for talent… Derek understands how much we value the G League and will do a great job leading basketball operations for Erie.”

The 45-year-old Pierce joined Atlanta at the start of the 2017-18 season as the Hawks’ Pro Player Personnel Scout.

Before joining the Hawks organization, Pierce spent eight seasons with the Timberwolves as an advance, college and NBA personnel scout.

And before his time with the Timberwolves, Pierce for three seasons was an advance scout for the Wizards, and for two seasons was an advance scout for the Golden State Warriors. He was also the Pacers’ video coordinator for five seasons.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity given to me by the Atlanta and Erie families. I can’t wait to get to work and continue to build off last year’s success,” Pierce said. “The G League is an invaluable resource and we’ll continue to utilize it extensively like we have in recent years. Right now, my number one goal is to work with Coach Pierce to find a head coach who shares the same vision and passion for developing players and establishing a culture of hard-working and high character players that make both the fans of Atlanta and Erie proud.”