Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Hawks trade Luke Babbitt to Heat for Okaro White, who was then waived

The Miami Heat have traded Okaro White to the Atlanta Hawks for Luke Babbitt.

Babbitt, who was originally acquired by the HEAT on July 10, 2016, has appeared in 37 games (nine starts) with the Hawks this season averaging 6.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 15.4 minutes while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 44.1 percent from three-point range and 77.3 percent from the foul line. He led Atlanta in three-point field goal percentage (minimum 50 attempts) and shot at least 50 percent from beyond the arc in 17 games this season. In his lone season in Miami during the 2016-17 campaign, he made a single-season career-high 87 three-point field goals and hit multiple treys in a game 23 times, also a single-season career best.

Babbitt has appeared in 368 career NBA regular season games (102 starts) during his eight-year career averaging 4.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 14.1 minutes while shooting 41.3 percent from the floor, 41 percent from three-point range and 74.7 percent from the foul line. Including this season, Babbitt has shot at least 40 percent from downtown in four consecutive seasons.

White, who was originally signed by the HEAT as a free agent on July 15, 2016, has appeared in 41 career games with Miami (four starts) averaging 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.4 minutes while shooting 38.8 percent from the field. He appeared in six games with the HEAT this season before having surgery on November 16 to repair a fifth metatarsal fracture in his left foot.

UPDATE: The Atlanta Hawks, after the above trade, requested waivers on forward Okaro White.

Hawks sign Andrew White III to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Andrew White III to a two-way contract. He will immediately join the team’s G League squad, the Erie BayHawks.

White III has played in 24 games (21 starts) this season for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League, averaging 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 34.0 minutes (.435 FG%, .400 3FG%, .855).

The rookie played five games at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League with the Cleveland Cavaliers and spent training camp with the Boston Celtics, appearing in one preseason contest.

As a graduate student at Syracuse last season, White III put up a team-best 18.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 assists in 37.2 minutes (.440 FG%, .401 3FG%, .837 FT%), starting all 34 games. He set a Syracuse single-season record with 109 three-pointers. White III was an All-ACC third team selection, and a member of the All-ACC Academic team.

In his senior season at Nebraska in 2015-16, he averaged 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.7 minutes (.481 FG%, .412 3FG%, .775 FT%) in 34 starts. He sat out his junior season after transferring from Kansas, where he played two years, appearing in 25 contests as a freshman and 19 games as a sophomore.

His father, Andrew Jr., played basketball at Morehouse College, while his younger brother, Andrien, plays collegiately at Charlotte. The Richmond, VA native will wear No. 4 with the Hawks.

The 2017-18 season marks the first year of two-way contracts in the NBA. 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 BayHawks but can spend up to 45 days with Atlanta (prorated based on when the player signs), not including any time prior to the start of Erie’s training camp and at the conclusion of their season.

Hawks sign Tyler Cavanaugh to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed Tyler Cavanaugh to a two-way contract.

Cavanaugh has played in one game this season for the Erie BayHawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate, compiling 19 points, 11 rebounds, one block and one steal in 35 minutes (8-13 FGs, 3-5 3FGs). He was also a member of the Hawks’ Summer League team, competing in Las Vegas this past July. He originally signed with the Hawks on September 6, 2017, appeared in four preseason contests, and was waived on October 13, 2017.

He spent his first two college seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to George Washington. As a graduate student at GW last season, he appeared in 35 games (all starts), leading the team in points (18.3), rebounds (8.4), free throws made (173) and attempted (204) in 32.2 minutes (.448 FG%, .409 3FG%, .848 FT%). He was named to the A-10 All-Conference Second Team and the All-Academic Team. The 6’9 Cavanaugh started 38 games in 2015-16 and put in 16.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 30.4 minutes (.505 FG%, .417 3FG%, .827 FT%), leading the Colonials to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) title, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 21.2 minutes in 33 games as a sophomore at Wake Forest, and tallied 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.7 minutes as a freshman in 31 contests. The Syracuse, NY native will wear No. 34.

The 2017-18 season marks the first year of two-way contracts in the NBA. Only players with four-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 BayHawks but can spend up to 45 days with Atlanta, not including any time prior to the start of Erie’s training camp and at the conclusion of their season.

Hawks hire Michelle Leftwich as Vice President of Salary Cap Administration

Hawks hire Michelle Leftwich as Vice President of Salary Cap Administration

The Atlanta Hawks have hired veteran NBA executive Michelle Leftwich as Vice President of Salary Cap Administration, the team announced today.

In this role, Leftwich will assist and advise Hawks General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk with all aspects of the league’s salary cap rules, as well as player contract planning matters.

“Michelle’s expertise and knowledge of the CBA and its complexities will be a great asset to the Hawks,” Schlenk said. “She is widely respected throughout the NBA and brings a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge that will benefit our organization.”

Leftwich joins the organization after 21 years at the league office, including the last 10 years as NBA Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, where she assisted Rick Buchanan, NBA General Counsel, and Dan Rube, NBA Deputy General Counsel, with a variety of legal matters. Her broad duties at the NBA involved salary cap and player contract matters, collective bargaining with the players’ union, player trade approvals, and operation of the CBA’s escrow and tax system.

Prior to joining the NBA in 1996, Leftwich worked for the New York law firm formerly known as Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. A native of Buffalo, N.Y., she received her Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from Canisius College and her Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law.

Hawks sign Isaiah Taylor

Hawks sign Isaiah Taylor

The Atlanta Hawks have signed Isaiah Taylor, the team announced.

Taylor saw action in four regular season games and three playoff contests for Houston as a rookie in 2016-17, after signing with the Rockets on Feb. 27. Additionally, the 6’3 guard averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 34.9 minutes (.515 FG%, .457 3FG%, .816 FT%) in 25 games (19 starting assignments) for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League, while being named to the league’s All-Rookie Team.

A three-year letterman (2013-16) at the University of Texas, Taylor played in 92 career games (all starts) for the Longhorns and averaged 13.6 points, 4.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 30.8 minutes (.404 FG%, .792 FT%). As a junior, he was named First-Team All-Big 12 after posting 15.0 points, 5.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 30.9 minutes (.420 FG%, .811 FT%) in 33 games. He was named Third-Team All-Big 12 as a sophomore, as well as Honorable Mention and to the conference’s All-Newcomer Team as a freshman.

Taylor will wear No. 22.

Hawks exercise contract options on DeAndre` Bembry and Taurean Prince

Hawks exercise contract options on DeAndre` Bembry and Taurean Prince

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the third-year (2018-19) options on the contracts of DeAndre’ Bembry and Taurean Prince, the team announced today.

Bembry, the 21st overall pick by the Hawks in the 2016 NBA Draft, averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.8 minutes (.480 FG%) last season. He compiled 17.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes (.565 FG%) in four games at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2017 in Las Vegas.

Prince, acquired by the Hawks from the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade on July 7, 2016, was originally the 12th overall pick by Utah in the 2016 NBA Draft. As a rookie, he put in 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.6 minutes in 59 games (10 starts). He started all six games of Atlanta’s first round playoff series with Washington last season, recording 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31.2 minutes (.558 FG%, 1.000 FT%).

Hawks trade for Kay Felder, Richard Jefferson, then waive both players

Hawks trade for Kay Felder, Richard Jefferson, then waive both players

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired Kay Felder, Richard Jefferson, two future second-round draft picks and cash considerations from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the rights to Dimitrios Agravanis and Sergiy Gladyr, the team announced today.

The picks include the lesser of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2019 second-round picks, and a protected 2020 Portland Trail Blazers’ second-rounder.

“These situations and decisions are some of the toughest to be in and have to make. Certainly, both RJ and Kay are two guys we also wanted to have here with us this season,” said Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman.

“RJ embodies all of the things you could want in a veteran player and teammate. His consistent success at a very high level over many years is a reflection of the kind of high quality player and person he is. His steady leadership, great attitude, dependability and performance helped us win an NBA Championship and we are grateful for all of his contributions on the court and within our locker room. Kay is a young, hard-working, talented player who has the potential for a bright and long future in this league as well. His daily dedication and hard work are going to help him greatly.”

“We thank RJ and Kay and wish them the very best as they move on to the next chapter of their NBA careers.”

The two draft picks that Cleveland is sending to Atlanta in the deal are Portland’s 2020 second round pick, provided such pick falls between 56-60, and the more favorable of Minnesota’s own 2019 second round draft pick and the Los Angeles Lakers’ own 2019 second round draft pick.

Agravanis (6-10, 235) has played for Olympiacos in the Greek Basketball League since 2013 and was the 59th overall pick by the Hawks in the 2015 NBA Draft. In 2016-17, he played in 51 total games (nine starts) for Olympiacos in Greece and Euroleague play with averages of 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. Over his career, the 22-year-old has helped his teams capture the FIBA Intercontinental Cup (2013) and two Greek League titles (2015, 2016).

Gladyr (6-5, 190) was selected by Atlanta with the 49th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and has spent the past two seasons with the French League club AS Monaco Basket. Gladyr, who also participated in Summer League with the Hawks in 2010 and 2013, averaged 9.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 20.5 minutes over 53 total games (nine starts) for Monaco in the French League, Basketball Champions League and Leaders Cup during the 2016-17 season. He is a two-time Leaders Cup winner (2016, 2017), Leaders Cup MVP (2017) and French Cup winner (2014).

Jefferson (6-7, 233) spent the previous two seasons with the Cavaliers, playing in 153 games (18 starts) with averages of 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes. A member of the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA championship team, Jefferson appeared in 35 postseason games for Cleveland and averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.0 minutes. The 16-year veteran originally signed with the Cavaliers on August 5, 2015.

Felder (5-9, 176) appeared in 42 games for Cleveland in 2016-17, averaging 4.0 points and 1.4 assists in 9.2 minutes. He was the No. 54 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and was acquired by the Cavaliers on draft night.

UPDATE: The Atlanta Hawks have already requested waivers on Kay Felder and Richard Jefferson.

Hawks sign John Jenkins

The Atlanta Hawks signed John Jenkins today.

Jenkins was originally Atlanta’s first-round pick (23rd overall) in the 2012 NBA Draft and spent his first three NBA seasons with the Hawks. He has also played with Phoenix and Dallas in his five-year NBA career. In 145 career regular season games (eight starts), he’s averaged 5.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 12.8 minutes (.448 FG%, .364 3FG%, .849 FT%).

He starred collegiately at Vanderbilt, where he was a two-time First Team All-Southeastern Conference performer. Jenkins attended Station Camp High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

He will wear jersey No. 30.