No favor from Rockets, Kelly joins Hawks summer league team

Hawks forward Ryan Kelly during Hawks Media Day in September. Curtis Compton /ccompton@ajc.com

Hawks forward Ryan Kelly during Hawks Media Day in September. Curtis Compton /ccompton@ajc.com

Ryan Kelly is back with the Hawks after a bizarre two weeks.

Unfortunately, it won’t last.

Kelly had a non-guaranteed contract with the Hawks and was traded to the Rockets last week as they accumulated similar contracts to accommodate the acquisition of Chris Paul. Had the Rockets waived Kelly prior to July 1 he could have re-signed with the Hawks. That did not happen. He was finally waived by the Rockets on Friday.

Kelly joined the Hawks’ entry in the Las Vegas Summer League – in the second half of Sunday’s game after clearing waivers – in what can only be described as a weird transaction. He now must audition for the other NBA teams to try to find a landing spot.

Kelly is in the current predicament because the Rockets did not waive him when it appears was planned.

“We anticipated the way things were going to go I was going to be able to (re-sign with the Hawks),” Kelly said. “It didn’t come to fruition as expected. It’s certainly disappointing because I feel like I’ve built some good relationships (with the Hawks). That’s the nature of the business. People tell you one thing and do other things. I’ve got to go out and show what I can do to 28 other teams.”

Kelly suited up for the Hawks’ game against the Pelicans on Sunday but could not play until he cleared waivers at 5 p.m. He remained on the bench for the 4 p.m. start. The waiver deadline passed during intermission and Kelly started the second half. He hit a 3-pointer early in the third quarter, eight minutes after he officially cleared waivers. Kelly finished with eight points, including two 3-pointers in an 84-82 win.

“That was a new experience – both physically and mentally,” Kelly said with a smile.

Kelly appeared in just 16 games with the Hawks last season and averaged 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.9 minutes. He’s hoping to open some eyes in Las Vegas.

“I didn’t play that much last year,” Kelly said. “It’s an opportunity for people to see me who haven’t seen me in a long time. There haven’t been people banging at the doors because I didn’t play a lot last year. That’s fine. There weren’t a lot of people banging on the door last year and I made a squad.”