Atlanta Hawks Blog – Page 8 – NBA Blog

Atlanta Hawks sign Chris Silva

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Chris Silva.

Silva has appeared in 69 regular season games over three seasons with Miami, Sacramento and Minnesota, and has logged NBA G League time with Sioux Falls and Iowa. He has NBA career averages of 2.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 7.7 minutes (.606 FG%, .707 FT%). In 10 games last season (nine with Miami, one with Minnesota), the 6-8 forward put in 2.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 9.1 minutes (.533 FG%, .833 FT%).

A native of Gabon, Silva played four seasons at University of South Carolina, where he averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 21.7 minutes, appearing in 134 games (108 starts). In 2018, he was named First Team All-Southeastern Conference, was the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Defensive. In 2017, he helped the Gamecocks advance to the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Atlanta Hawks sign Tyson Etienne

The Atlanta Hawks signed guard Tyson Etienne.

Etienne was most recently part of the Hawks’ Summer League team, where he averaged 10.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 16.7 minutes over five games in Las Vegas.

In three collegiate seasons at Wichita State, the 6-2 guard saw action in 80 games (65 starts), tallying 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.4 minutes. He became the school’s 48th 1,000-point scorer on 2/27/22 at Memphis. Etienne buried his 200th career three-pointer on 3/10/22, becoming the fourth Shocker to reach that milestone. Last season, he scored in double figures 22 times, including his final 11 contests.

The American Conference Player of the Year in 2021, Etienne was voted Third Team All-Conference in the American last season and was also named to the NABC Second Team All-District. Prior to Wichita State, he spent a post-graduate year at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, leading the club to a 38-2 mark and a No. 2 national ranking.

Atlanta Hawks sign Trent Forrest to a two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent guard Trent Forrest to a two-way contract.

Forrest saw action in 60 games (six starts) for the Utah Jazz as a two-way player during the 2021-22 campaign, averaging 3.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 12.8 minutes (.490 FG%, .792 FT%). In his six starts, the 6-4 guard notched 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 28.4 minutes of action (.611 FG%, .429 3FG%, .889 FT%). Utah compiled a 4-2 record when inserting Forrest into the starting lineup. In a win against Denver on Feb. 2, 2022, Forrest poured in a career-high 18 points on 6-7 shooting from the floor, in addition to two rebounds, a career-high tying eight assists and one steal in 39 minutes as a starter.

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft, Forrest signed a two-way contract with the Jazz prior to the start of the 2020-21 season, and then again before the 2021-22 campaign. He signed a standard NBA contract on April 10, 2022. Over his two-year career, Forrest has seen action in 90 games (six starts), owning career averages of 3.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 11.9 minutes (.478 FG%, .851 FT%). He has also appeared in four postseason contests.

A product of Florda State, Forrest appeared in 137 games (69 starts) over his four-year collegiate career, tallying 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 25.4 minutes (.462 FG%, .748 FT%). He finished his Seminole career as the all-time winningest player in program history with 104 wins, ranked third in total steals (224) and games played (137), while ranking fifth in total assists (455) and 10th in free throws made (336). The Chipley, Florida, native was selected to the 2019-20 All-ACC Second Team and All-ACC Defensive Team, while garnering All-ACC Academic Team honors in each year at Florida State (2017-20).

Atlanta Hawks waive Sharife Cooper

The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on guard Sharife Cooper.

He appeared in 13 games for the Hawks last season after signing a two-way contract on August 5, 2021. In 34 games (31 starts) with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League, he averaged 17.4 points, 6.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 29.9 minutes (.436 FG%, .353 3FG%, .852 FT%).

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “the Powder Springs native had a tough time during this month’s Summer League, opening the tournament 1-of-14 from the floor and 0-of-5 from long range. By the Hawks’ fourth game, though, Cooper found his rhythm. He had 15 points, two rebounds and four assists in the Hawks’ 87-86 win over the Spurs.”

Cooper was selected by the Hawks in the second round (48th overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft.

Atlanta Hawks hire Kyle Korver as director of player affairs and development

The Atlanta Hawks have hired Kyle Korver as the organization’s director of player affairs & development.

In this newly-formed position, Korver will assist in creating and overseeing a development plan for each Hawks player in partnership with the coaches, athletic performance team and front office.

“We are excited to bring Kyle back to the Hawks,” said Hawks General Manager Landry Fields. “He is a tremendous person and someone whose presence will benefit all of our players, both on and off the court, drawing from his unique experiences over his 17-year playing career, as a late-second round pick who later became an All-Star in Atlanta and one of the league’s all-time best shooters.”

Korver, who spent the 2021-22 season as a player development assistant with the Brooklyn Nets, returns to the Hawks, where he played in 332 regular season games over four-and-a-half seasons (2012-17), including an All-Star appearance in 2015. He was also the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award recipient in 2014-15.

Korver appeared in 1,232 career regular season games (and 145 playoff contests) in 17 seasons with Philadelphia, Utah, Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Milwaukee. He ranks fifth in NBA history in three-pointers made (2,450) and seventh in career three-point percentage (.429), including the best single-season mark in league history (.536 in 2009-10 with the Jazz). Korver is the only player to ever lead the league in three-point percentage four times.

Selected 51st overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, Korver was the two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a collegian at Creighton. Korver, 41, was born in Paramount, Calif. before his family relocated to Pella, Iowa.

Atlanta Hawks sign rookie Tyrese Martin

The Atlanta Hawks have signed Tyrese Martin, the No. 51 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, to a multi-year contract.

Through four NBA Summer League contests for the Hawks, Martin is averaging 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.2 minutes (.475 FG%). He poured in a game-high 21 points on 9-14 shooting from the floor in Atlanta’s 95-88 win over Miami on July 12.

Atlanta acquired Martin’s draft rights, along with cash considerations, from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the draft rights to Ryan Rollins, the No. 44 pick, on June 23.

Martin saw action in 29 games (all starts) for UConn during the 2021-22 campaign, tallying 13.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 32.1 minutes (.449 FG%, .430 3FG%, .689 FT%).

The 6-6 guard transferred to UConn following a two-year stint at Rhode Island (2018-20). In his two seasons suiting up for UConn, the Huskies made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2021, 2022), punching their ticket in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2011 and 2012. During his time at UConn, Martin appeared in 51 games (50 starts), averaging 12.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.2 minutes (.446 FG%, .393 3FG%, .682 FT%). He was named to the 2022 Big East All-Tournament Team and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association District I All-District Team.

Throughout his four-year collegiate career, Martin saw action in 114 games (99 starts), notching 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.8 minutes (.435 FG%, .346 3FG%, .670 FT%). A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, he attended William Allen High School, finishing with 1,120 career points. Following high school, Martin attended Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia, leading the team to a 32-4 record during the 2017-18 season.

Atlanta Hawks sign Frank Kaminsky

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent center Frank Kaminsky.

Kaminsky joins the Hawks from the Phoenix Suns, where he saw action in nine games during the 2021-22 campaign, tallying 10.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.1 minutes (.545 FG%, .333 3FG%, .900 FT%). In a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 10, the 7-0 center poured in a career-high 31 points on 12-18 shooting from the floor, in addition to seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 32 minutes. It was announced on Nov. 21, 2021, that Kaminsky would miss the remainder of the season due to a stress reaction in his right knee.

Drafted with the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Kaminsky has appeared in 377 games (49 starts) throughout his career, notching 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.0 minutes (.429 FG%, .348 3FG%, .743 FT%). He has also seen action in 17 postseason contests (five starts), including 10 appearances in the Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals, averaging 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 15.2 minutes.

The seven-year NBA veteran has suited up for the Charlotte Hornets (2015-19) and Phoenix Suns (2019-22), posting 171 double digit scoring outings. Kaminsky played for Team USA in the 2017 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, netting a team-high 33 points on 12-16 shooting from the floor, including a 9-13 clip from three-point territory, in 20 minutes as a reserve.

The Lisle, Illinois native enjoyed a four-year career at Wisconsin, becoming the first player in Wisconsin history to win National Player of the Year (Wooden, Naismith, Oscar Robertson) and the 18th consensus All-American in UW history. He appeared in 144 games (79 starts) as a Badger, averaging 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 20.4 minutes (.522 FG%, .369 3FG%, .763 FT%). Kaminsky left Wisconsin as just the second player in program history to post 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocks, setting the UW career blocks record with 153 rejections.

Atlanta Hawks hire Mike Longabardi as an assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks today announced the hiring of Mike Longabardi as assistant coach. Longabardi, who owns 19 years of NBA coaching experience, and has won two NBA Championships, comes to the Hawks following one season as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings.

Prior to Sacramento, he spent two seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards coaching staff (2019-21). Before his time in Washington, Longabardi, who was hired on Jan. 25, 2016, by the Cleveland Cavaliers, spent three and a half years as an assistant coach for the Cavs, winning one of his two NBA titles in 2016.

The Frostburg State alumnus has also spent time as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns (2012-15) and Boston Celtics (2007-13). While with Boston, Longabardi helped lead the Celtics to three Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals appearances and a 2008 NBA Championship.

In addition, he was an assistant coach/video coordinator for the Houston Rockets under Jeff Van Gundy. In 2003-04, his first year in Houston, Longabardi served as assistant video coordinator before being promoted to lead video coordinator the following season.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, he began his coaching career at the collegiate level for seven seasons, which included coaching stops at Pfeiffer University, Adelphi University, Lafayette College and Townson University.

Hawks trade Kevin Huerter to Kings for Maurice Harkless, Justin Holiday and draft pick

The Sacramento Kings yesterday acquired Kevin Huerter in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Maurice Harkless, Justin Holiday and a future first round pick, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

“The opportunity to acquire a player like Kevin is always exciting,” said Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “His ability to create shots and score will make him an instant asset to our team. We would also like to thank Maurice Harkless and Justin Holiday for their many contributions and wish them all the best in the future.”

Huerter, 23, played for Atlanta for the last four seasons (2018-22). During the 2021-22 campaign, Huerter averaged 12.1 points (.454 FG%, .389 3PT%, .808 FT%) 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 29.6 minutes per game through 74 games (60 starts).

“In acquiring Justin and Moe, we add two defensive-minded, quality veterans who can help our team on the court and in the locker room,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk. “We would like to thank Kevin for his contributions, both on and off the court. He grew as a player and person in his four seasons with us and we wish him the best in Sacramento.”

Holiday, who was acquired by Sacramento on Feb. 8 in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, appeared in 74 total games during the 2021-22 season (65 starts), averaging 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 27.8 minutes (.394 FG%, .367 3FG%, .806 FT%). He put in 10-or-more points on 37 occasions this past season, including pouring in a season-high 27 points on 9-11 shooting from the field and a 6-8 mark from three-point territory in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 13. Holiday’s .818 field goal percentage in the victory marked a career-high clip from the floor (min. 10 FGA).

From the 2018-19 campaign through the 2020-21 season, the 6-6 guard saw action in every game (227 total games, 135 starts). Holiday brings nine years of NBA playing experience to the Hawks, having suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13), Golden State Warriors (2014-15), Atlanta Hawks (2015-16), Chicago Bulls (2015-16, 2017-18), New York Knicks (2016-17), Memphis Grizzlies (2018-19), Indiana Pacers (2019-22) and Sacramento Kings (2021-22). He has appeared in 576 games (285 starts), tallying 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.6 minutes (.398 FG%, .365 3FG%, .820 FT%). He has also seen action in nine postseason games (two starts), registering 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.8 minutes (.478 FG%, .529 3FG%).

Holiday brings international playing experience to Atlanta, having played for Okapi Aalstar (2011-12, Belgium) and Szolnoki Olaj (2013-14, Hungary). The Chatsworth, California, native suited up for the Washington Huskies from 2007-11, earning a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in 2010. Holiday’s younger brother, Aaron, was recently signed by the Atlanta Hawks, while his older brother, Jrue, is a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Harkless appeared in 47 games (24 starts) for the Kings during the 2021-22 season, notching 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes (.459 FG%, .307 3FG%, .714 FT%). He recorded a double-double in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 5, tallying a season-high tying 18 points on 7-14 shooting from the floor, including a 4-8 clip from the three-point line, and a season-high 11 rebounds in 38 minutes.

Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Harkless has appeared in 621 games (372 starts) over his 10-year career, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.6 minutes (.474 FG%, .320 3FG%, .624 FT%). Acquired by the Orlando Magic as part of a four-team trade prior to the start of his rookie season, the 6-7 forward has played for the Magic (2012-15), Portland Trail Blazers (2015-19), LA Clippers (2019-20), New York Knicks (2019-20), Miami Heat (2020-21) and Sacramento Kings (2020-22). He has appeared in 33 postseason games (32 starts), owning averages of 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.6 minutes (.436 FG%, .289 3FG%, .609 FT%).

A native of Queens, New York, Harkless played collegiately at St. John’s for one season (2011-12) before entering the NBA Draft. In his sole season suiting up for the Red Storm, he was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, as well as a member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team and an All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.

Atlanta Hawks sign Aaron Holiday

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent guard Aaron Holiday.

Holiday comes to Atlanta from the Phoenix Suns, where he appeared in 22 games (one start) averaging 6.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 16.3 minutes (.411 FG%, .444 3FG%, .939 FT%). He was acquired by Phoenix on Feb. 10 in a trade with the Washington Wizards. In total, the 6-0 guard saw action in 63 games (15 starts) during the 2021-22 season, notching 6.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 16.2 minutes of play (.447 FG%, .379 3FG%, .868 FT%). His .447 field goal percentage marked a career-high clip from the floor.

He scored 10-or-more points 18 times this past season and dished out five-or-more assists on 12 occasions. In a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on March 13, Holiday swiped a career-high four steals, in addition to 12 points, four rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes as a reserve.

Drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Holiday has appeared in 245 games (56 starts) over his four-year career, owning averages of 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 18.2 minutes (.412 FG%, .373 3FG%, .840 FT%). He has also seen action in 13 playoff games (two starts), recording 4.4 points and 1.5 assists in 8.1 minutes (.550 FG%, .556 3FG%). During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Holiday tallied a .517 mark from the field (8-14 FGM), including a .714 clip from three-point territory (5-7 3FGM) in six games played.

The UCLA product appeared in 101 games (65 starts) over his three-year collegiate career (2015-18), averaging 14.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 31.7 minutes (.450 FG%, .422 3FG%, .795 FT%). He concluded his Bruins career ranked No. 25 on UCLA’s all-time scoring list with 1,443 total points.

Born in Ruston, Louisiana, and raised in Southern California, Holiday is the youngest of four siblings. His two older brothers, Justin and Jrue, both play in the NBA, while his sister, Lauren, played on the UCLA women’s basketball team from 2012-14.