The world is changing for DeAndre Bembry.
The Hawks’ roster is going through major changes and such a young player could be a factor as a part of a core group moving forward. Bembry, a first-round pick last year, is one of a dwindling number of players remaining from the end of last season. Paul Millsap, Dwight Howard and Tim Hardaway Jr. are gone. Thabo Sefolosha and Kris Humphries likely won’t be back. The Hawks added three draft picks this year to go with a core of Kent Bazemore, Dennis Schroder, Malcolm Delaney and Taurean Prince, another first-round pick from last season.
“So many things are happening with young guys coming in and older guys leaving,” Bembry said. “I would love for the older guys to stay, but I would also love to be out there. That’s where the team is headed with a number of younger guys.”
Bembry is part of the Hawks’ entry in the Las Vegas Summer League. He scored a game-high 22 points in Friday’s 75-72 loss to the Nets in the opener. Bembry was 10-of-18 from the field with four rebounds, two assists and was a plus-20 in 28 minutes. Bembry did have seven turnovers as he played more with the ball in his hands — either as a point guard or secondary ballhandler.
“I feel very comfortable with the ball in DeAndre’s hands,” said Hawks assistant Charles Lee, who is serving has summer league coach. “He did a great job of making decisions. He plays with such a great pace off the pick-and-roll. He’s like a quarterback. He sees his check downs, he looks for the pocket pass. If it’s not there all of a sudden he’s getting to a floater or a pass to the high quadrant. He did a great job of evolving his game and getting more comfortable in pick-and-roll situations. He made great decisions, too.”
Bembry, 22, played sparingly as a rookie last season. The wing appeared in 38 games and averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.8 minutes. He did several stints in the NBA G League, where he averaged 16.2 points and 6.3 rebounds. Bembry spoke of his ability to handle the ball last year, but that opportunity never came. It may this season, especially if Bembry can be a consistent shooter.
“Just being in the NBA for a full year, you learn so much,” Bembry said. “We had so many vets on the team last year, and I got bits and pieces from each person. Then just learning from Taurean, who was starting throughout the playoffs, I got to see a rookie go out and do things that we knew we could do. I’m just coming out here this year trying to slow it down, be more patient, make the right plays and take the right shots.”
Bembry said he sees himself as a playmaker. He would like the chance to be a secondary ballhandler to starting point guard Schroder. Bazemore and Hardaway played that role last season.
Shooting has been the main focus of the offseason. Bembry had a .480 shooting percentage last season, but was just 1-of-18 from 3-point range.
“That’s the biggest thing I’ve been working on all summer,” Bembry said. “I took a week off after the ,and I was probably the first one back in the gym working with Ben Sullivan and our assistant coaches. I’ve been in the gym all summer working on my jump shot. Some other things also, but mainly my jump shot.”
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