Atlanta Hawks Blog – Page 28 – NBA Blog

Atlanta Hawks waive Matt Costello

The Atlanta Hawks have waived forward Matt Costello, it was announced today by General Manager Wes Wilcox.

The Hawks frontcourt has some nice depth to it. It was always going to be tough for Costello to make this team.

The roster stands at 19.

Tiago Splitter out with hamstring injury

Hawks center Tiago Splitter has been diagnosed with a grade 2 hamstring strain, which he sustained in a recent practice. An MRI taken yesterday at the Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center revealed the injury.

Splitter will be out at least four weeks, which means he’ll miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season.

The Hawks will likely start Paul Millsap at power foward and new addition Dwight Howard at center. Splitter will likely come off the bench once he’s healthy.

Hawks sign Josh Magette

The Hawks have signed guard Josh Magette (Mah-jet). It’s probably a non-guaranteed contract.

Magette played in 45 games (all starts) in 2015-16 with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, averaging 11.5 points, 9.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 38.0 minutes, leading the D-League in assists per game and steals per game.

He’s also played for Koroivos (Greece) and Landstede (Netherlands).

He will wear uniform No. 7.

A native of Hoover, Alabama (Spain Park HS), Magette played four years at Alabama-Huntsville, where he was Gulf South Conference co-Player of the Year as a senior in 2012.

The team’s roster stands at 20.

Paul Millsap out with knee injury

Hawks forward Paul Millsap recently underwent a preventative procedure to reduce mild swelling in his right knee.

“After reviewing the options with Paul to treat his knee and provide him the best long-term care, we agreed, largely due to the time of year, that this was the best method and time to ensure his complete readiness for the start of the regular season,” President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said.

In an effort to maximize the benefit of the procedure, Millsap will progress through phases of rest and recovery before returning to full basketball activities over the next three weeks.

He will miss the first two preseason games and his status will be updated as appropriate.

Hawks sign Will Bynum, Ryan Kelly and Richard Solomon

The Hawks have signed free agents Will Bynum, Ryan Kelly and Richard Solomon, it was announced today by General Manager Wes Wilcox. The training camp roster now stands at 20 players.

Bynum, a Georgia Tech alum and eight-year NBA veteran, has played in 360 career games (29 starting assignments) with Golden State (2005-06), Detroit (2008-14) and Washington (2014-15). The 6’0 guard owns career averages of 8.1 points, 3.3 assist and 1.6 rebounds in 18.4 minutes (.442 FG%, .799 FT%). Bynum has also played professionally in Israel (2006-08) and China (2014-16), and was named the NBA Development League Rookie of the Year with the Roanoke Dazzle in 2005-06. He played his final two collegiate seasons at Georgia Tech, where he joined current Hawks teammate Jarrett Jack in helping the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 Final Four.

The 6’10 Kelly has spent the last three years with the Los Angeles Lakers after being selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.5 minutes in 147 games (59 starts). He has also seen action in the NBA Development League with the L.A. D-Fenders. A four-year letterman at Duke, Kelly was a member of the Blue Devils’ 2010 NCAA Champion team.

Solomon played last season in Japan after spending 2014-15 in the NBA D-League with the Oklahoma City Blue. In 28 games (one start) with the Blue, he tallied 8.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in 17.9 minutes (.618 FG%). The 6’11 Solomon had a four-year collegiate career at California, seeing action in 109 games and averaging 8.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22.5 minutes (.512 FG%).

Bynum will wear uniform no. 6, Kelly no. 30 and Solomon no. 7.

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.