Atlanta Hawks Blog – Page 28 – NBA Blog

Dwight Howard reportedly hospitalized, should be fine

It’s always scary when a health issue causes a hospital visit, but it sounds like Dwight Howard should be absolutely fine. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

Dwight Howard was taken to a hospital late Sunday night after feeling ill on a plane flight to Atlanta, according to several people familiar with the situation. It is believed that the Hawks center suffered from dehydration. He is being treated and is expected to be released from the hospital early Monday morning.

Howard, 30, has recently been in China on a 10-day promotional tour with shoe manufacturer Peak. Last week, the Chinese company and Howard unveiled his DH2 shoe which features the colors of the Hawks. It also has ‘Be Gr8’ embroidered on the tongue. Howard changed his number to eight after signing with the Hawks this summer and has worn the slogan on apparel.

No international play for Dennis Schroder this summer

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution with an update on point guard Dennis Schroder, who will have a huge role on the Hawks next season since Jeff Teague was traded to the Pacers:

Dennis Schroder will not compete for Germany’s national team this summer, the German Basketball Federation announced Wednesday.

Germany was to begin qualification play for next year’s EuroBasket 2017 tournament in August. The team made the announcement of Schroder’s withdrawal on social media.

Schroder will assume the starting point guard position for the Hawks next season after the team traded Jeff Teague this summer.

Hawks sign forward Matt Costello

The Hawks on Tuesday signed free agent forward Matt Costello.

Until we hear otherwise, we will assume this deal merely brings Costello to Hawks training camp.

Costello, a four-year player at Michigan State, was an All-Big Ten selection as a senior after averaging 10.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 22.9 minutes in 35 games (.561 FG%, .752 FT%). He played in 138 career games for the Spartans (2012-16) and is the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 146.

The 6’9 Costello was a member of the Hawks’ 2016 Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 5.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists while playing in all six games.

Not likely that Atlanta will get 2017 NBA All-Star game

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on possible new locations for 2017 All-Star weekend now that it will no longer be held in Charlotte:

Atlanta is an unlikely destination for the 2017 NBA All-Star game after the league announced that the event would be relocated from Charlotte, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The Hawks and Atlanta are planning major renovations to Philips Arena, which is the major issue facing a move of the game to the city, according to the person familiar with the situation. Securing the necessary hotel rooms may also be an issue.

The NBA made the announcement Thursday, citing the North Carolina’s controversial transgender bathroom law HB2.

Hawks sign Kris Humphries, Jarrett Jack, Malcolm Delaney

The Hawks have re-signed forward Kris Humphries, and signed guards Jarrett Jack and Malcolm Delaney, team President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer announced today.

All three players will likely come off the bench and play very limited minutes.

Humphries saw action in 21 games for the Hawks last year (Atlanta was 15-6), averaging 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14.0 minutes (.465 FG%), after signing as a free agent on Mar. 1. For the season, he tallied 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.8 minutes in 53 combined games (17 starting assignments) between Washington, Phoenix and Atlanta.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Kris back to Atlanta,” Budenholzer said. “He quickly fit in with our team last season and played an important role on the court and in the locker room.”

The 12-year veteran has averaged 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 18.2 minutes (.466 FG%) in 744 career games (199 starts). Humphries, 31, has also appeared in 21 career postseason contests.

Jack, 32, owns averages of 11.1 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 28.1 minutes (.440 FG%, .856 FT%) in 803 games (343 starting assignments) over his 11-year career. Last season with Brooklyn, he recorded 12.8 points, 7.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 32.1 minutes in 32 games (all starts).

“Jarrett brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our backcourt,” Budenholzer said. “His leadership and versatility will be important to our team.”

The 6’3 guard has also appeared in 24 playoff games (four starts), and averaged 13.1 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 28.8 minutes (.488 FG%, .870 FT%).

The former Georgia Tech standout will wear uniform No. 3.

Delaney has played internationally the last five seasons after a four-year career at Virginia Tech, where he was twice First-Team All-ACC. During the 2015-16 season, the 6’3” guard appeared in 59 games for the Russian team Lokomotiv Kuban and recorded averages of 14.6 points, 4.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 31.0 minutes. The former Hokie was named to the All-Euroleague First Team as he helped lead Lokomotiv Kuban to the Euroleague Final Four.

In his five seasons overseas, Delaney has played in 301 contests and has posted career averages of 14.0 points, 4.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 30.3 minutes. In 2014, Delaney’s team FC Bayern Munich was the German Bundesliga champion and he was awarded German Bundesliga MVP and Finals MVP. In 2013, Delaney played for BC Budivelnyk, the Ukrainain SuperLeague champion, as he was named to the All-Eurocup First Team and was awarded Ukrainian SuperLeague MVP.

“Malcolm is a player we’ve watched closely and built a relationship with over the last few years,” said Hawks General Manager Wes Wilcox. “He’s played at the highest level internationally and won with every team he’s played for. We are excited to welcome Malcolm to the Hawks family.”

Delaney will wear uniform No. 5.

Hawks sign rookies Taurean Prince and DeAndre` Bembry

The Atlanta Hawks have signed rookie forwards Taurean Prince and DeAndre’ Bembry.

Prince, the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, was traded to the Hawks in a three-team deal that involved the Pacers. The four-year letterman at Baylor, averaged 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 34 games as a senior while garnering First Team All-Big 12 honors. The 6’8 forward was also named Second Team All-Big 12 as junior as well as the league’s Sixth Man of the Year after recording 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists in 33 contests. Prince owns career averages of 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting .460 from the field, .376 from three-point range and .718 from the free throw line in 129 games.

Bembry, the 21st overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Hawks, was a three-year letterman at St. Joseph’s averaging 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals (.457 FG%) in 36.1 minutes in 101 career games. As a junior, he tallied 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals (.479 FG%) in 37.3 minutes over 36 contests, while being named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and garnering All-League, All-Defensive Team and All-Tournament honors for the conference.

The rookies are teammates on the Hawks’ 2016 Las Vegas Summer League squad. Prince has appeared in three games and is averaging 13.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.7 assists in 26.4 minutes, while Bembry has played in five contests and is recording 10.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 26.8 minutes.

Hawks waive Lamar Patterson

The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on Lamar Patterson, President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer announced today.

Patterson, a 6-5, 225-pound guard/forward, was the 48th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, appeared in 35 games for the Hawks in 2015-16.

Celtics sign Al Horford

The Boston Celtics signed free agent forward/center and four-time NBA All-Star Al Horford today.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the Boston Celtics family,” said Horford. “I look forward to working with Coach Stevens and the rest of our team towards our goal of bringing a championship back to Boston.”

Horford’s deal is reportedly a $113 million dollar contract over four years.

“We are very glad to welcome Al Horford and his family to the Celtics,” said Celtics Co-Owner and Managing Partner Wyc Grousbeck. “His burning desire to play basketball the right way reminds me of the great Celtics of the past. He is a four-time All-Star, a gifted shooter, playmaker and defender, and an outstanding person. He believes in Celtic Pride and we believe in him.”

In years to come, I feel like this will open the doors for many other big free agents,” Horford said Friday, according to Boston.com.

The 6’10” Horford appeared in a career-high 82 games (all starts) for the Atlanta Hawks last season where he averaged 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 blocks (17th in NBA) while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. Horford was one of three players in the NBA last season to record at least 1,200 points, 575 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 blocks. He is also one of 13 active players to record at least 8,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 1,500 assists and 675 blocks in their career.

“Al is a significant addition to our team and will make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor,” said President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “He is a proven veteran and leader, on and off the court, and we look forward to welcoming Al and his family to Boston and the Celtics organization.”

Selected with the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by Atlanta, Horford has career averages of 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. The nine year NBA veteran has been an All-Star four times (2015-16, 2014-15, 2010-11 and 2009-10). He was named to the 2007-08 NBA All-Rookie First Team and also was named to the 2010-11 All-NBA Third Team when he averaged 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 block per game. Born in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, Horford led the Hawks to nine consecutive playoff appearances to start his career.

Hawks re-sign Kent Bazemore

Big money for a talented player who can still improve

The Atlanta Hawks have re-signed guard Kent Bazemore, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. The deal is reportedly a $70 million dollar contract over four years.

Bazemore, 27, set single-season career highs nearly every statistical category last year, his second in Atlanta, after averaging 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 27.8 minutes (.441 FG%, .357 3FG%, .815 FT%) in 75 games (68 starting assignments). He ranked second on the club in steals per game and free throw percentage, and third in rebounds per game and three-pointers made (109). The four-year veteran scored in double-figures 41 times, including 11 20-point outings, and posted his first career double-double (at Detroit on Mar. 16).

“We are excited to re-sign Kent and welcome him back to the Hawks,” Budenholzer said. “His passion for the game is contagious and through his tireless work ethic, he has developed into a dynamic two-way player. We look forward to his continued development with us.”

The 6’5 guard originally signed with the Hawks as free agent on Sept. 23, 2014 after spending parts of his first two years with the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. In his first season in an Atlanta uniform (2014-15) he posted 5.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.6 minutes in 75 games (10 starts).

Bazemore owns career averages of 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 16.5 minutes, seeing action in 278 games (93 starts).

Three team trade sends Jeff Teague to Pacers, George Hill to Jazz

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired the draft rights to Taurean Prince, the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, from the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team trade, it was announced today by General Manager Wes Wilcox. As part of the deal, the Hawks will send guard Jeff Teague to Indiana and the Jazz will receive guard George Hill from the Pacers.

“Taurean has many of the qualities that we value in our program…we are excited to add his competitiveness, toughness, versatility, and desire to improve,” Wilcox said. “We would also like to thank Coach Scott Drew and Baylor Basketball for their help throughout the scouting process. Taurean is eager to get started and we look forward to beginning his development with our coaches and athletic performance team.”

“I would like to thank Jeff for his seven years with the organization, and our three years together,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. “Jeff developed into a key contributor and played an integral role in the team’s recent success. We wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”

Prince, a four-year letterman at Baylor, averaged 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 34 games as a senior while garnering First Team All-Big 12 honors. The 6’8 forward was also named Second Team All-Big 12 as junior as well as the league’s Sixth Man of the Year after recording 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists in 33 contests. Prince owns career averages of 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting .460 from the field, .376 from three-point range and .718 from the free throw line in 129 games.

Teague, an Indianapolis native, comes to the Pacers from the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-way trade. The Pacers send guard George Hill to Utah and the Jazz send the 12th overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, Baylor’s Taurean Prince, to Atlanta. Young was acquired from Brooklyn in exchange for the Pacers’ first-round pick (20th overall) in the June draft, Michigan’s Caris LeVert.

“We want to thank George for his five seasons with us,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He’s a great guy who did a lot for the community. We wish him nothing but the best. With Jeff, we think he brings something we haven’t had in a true point guard. We think he fits in with what we’re trying to do. He has speed, the ability to create for others and he can score. We look forward to working with him.

“Thaddeus is a long, athletic power forward who can defend multiple positions. He was a 15-point scorer last year and averaged nine rebounds a game. We think he’s a good fit between Myles (Turner) and Paul (George).”

Teague, 28, grew up in Indianapolis (Pike High School), played collegiately at Wake Forest and was a first-round pick (19th overall) of the Hawks in 2009. In seven seasons with Atlanta, Teague averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 assists. Last season, he averaged 15.7 points and 5.9 assists per game. In 2015, he was named to the NBA All-Star team.

Hill (6-3, 188, IUPUI) appeared in 74 games (73 starts) for the Pacers this season, averaging 12.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting a career-high .408 (128-314) from three-point range in 34.1 minutes of action. Hill’s seventh-seeded Pacers then pushed second-seed Toronto to seven games as he averaged 13.6 points on .481 (13-27) three-point shooting.

Originally selected in the first round (26th overall selection) of the 2008 NBA Draft by San Antonio, the 30-year-old guard has appeared in 550 career games (325 starts) over eight seasons with San Antonio and Indiana, and owns career averages of 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists and .376 three-point shooting in 28.8 minutes. His teams have made the playoffs in seven of his eight seasons and he has appeared in a total of 75 playoffs games (64 starts) averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and a .371 three-point percentage. Hill helped the Indiana Pacers to two straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 and 2014.

Prior to the NBA, the Indianapolis native played four seasons at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (2004-08) where he was named The Summit League Player of the Year (2008) and All-Summit League First Team twice (2006, 2008). For his collegiate career, Hill appeared in 94 games and averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33.4 minutes.

He will wear uniform #3 for the Jazz.