The competition for the Hawks’ 15th and final roster spot will go down to the wire.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team may wait until the NBA’s Oct. 26 deadline for rosters to be set to decide on one of four players in training camp. The Hawks open the regular season the following day at home against the Pistons.
Lamar Patterson, Terran Petteway, Earl Barron and DeQuan Jones are still competing — even if receiving limited minutes during exhibition games.
“I think they are all playing well and competing,” Budenholzer said. “We have a few more days to keep observing.”
Budenholzer said two factors have prevented him from playing the final four as much as he might have liked during exhibition games. The Hawks are trying to get newcomers Tim Hardaway Jr. and Justin Holiday indoctrinated into the system. In addition, regulars Kyle Korver, Shelvin Mack and Thabo Sefolosha are all coming off significant surgeries and need to work back to full health.
In addition, the Hawks are looking for a new starter at small forward and exploring different matchups and rotations on the wing.
“It’s understandable,” Patterson said of the playing-time limitations. “Those guys are veterans and are coming off injuries. They have to get back in the flow. They are key pieces from a great season last year.”
Here’s a look at how the competition with eight days and three exhibition games remaining.
Lamar Patterson
Patterson, a second-round pick two seasons ago, is still the front-runner for the final spot. He has played the predominant minutes in the preseason and has been the first of the four to enter a game in each of the four exhibition games. The Hawks will lose his rights if he does not make the team after signing him to a partially guaranteed contract after his season in Turkey.
The guard/forward is averaging 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in the four games. He entered Friday’s win over the Mavericks in the first quarter as the Hawks began sitting some regulars to get more time for the young players. In all, Patterson as played 53:18, including a high 21:14 against the Mavericks, which is more than the other three combined.
“I just want to stay humble and be prepared for whenever my name is called,” Patterson said.
Terran Petteway
Petteway, an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, impressed the Hawks’ coaching staff during the Las Vegas Summer League. He earned a partially guaranteed contract following the tournament. The Hawks will lose his rights if he does not make the team. It would appear Petteway has done enough to get a chance in the NBA Development League.
The guard/forward is averaging 1.7 points, 0.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in three exhibition games. He did not play against the Mavericks and may be bothered by a sore right ankle. Petteway played 21 minutes, 29 seconds in the preseason.
“I just have to be patient,” Petteway said. “This is my first year here. Nothing is going to come that fast. I have to be patient. If I get two minutes, if I get one minute, I just have to go out there and play by butt off for that whole one minute.”
Earl Barron
Barron, who signed a training-camp deal with the Hawks, has NBA experience and could be an addition if the Hawks have an injury or choose to carry another center.
Barron has averaged 0.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in three exhibition games. He has played a total of 13:11, including 6:35 against the Mavericks.
DeQuan Jones
Jones, who signed a training-camp deal with the Hawks, also has some NBA experience. He played in Italy last season.
The forward has shown signs of his athletic ability during limited playing time. He is averaging 3.0 points in three games. He has played just 8:50 in the preseason, including 4:34 against the Mavericks. He is 3-of-4 from the field that includes a key fourth-quarter jump shot in a win over the Cavaliers and impressive dunks against the Spurs and Mavericks.
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