The Hawks have turned to Kris Humphries to fill their vacant roster spot.
The veteran Humphries had his contract bought out by the Suns on Sunday. Assuming he clears the 48-hour waiver period, the forward will join the Hawks for Tuesday’s game at the Warriors after agreeing to a contract with the team, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Hawks president of basketball operations and head coach Mke Budenholzer could not address Humphries specifically before the buyout was reached and the agreement of a deal.
By being bought out Sunday, Humphries should clear waivers at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, in time to be signed by March 1, the NBA’s playoff waiver eligibility deadline. Humphries was scheduled to make $4.6 million this season and in 2016-17. If a team claims Humphries, it would be responsible for a $4.4 million cap hit but owe just a $1.1 million salary for the rest of the season.
“The same generic stuff we’ve been saying,” Budenholzer said Sunday before the Hawks hosted the Hornets. “I think we are looking for opportunities to get better to add to our group. Good players are important. It’s definitely very fair to say (the team continues to look at the buyout market).”
Humphries, 6-foot-9, started the previous three games for the Suns but did not play in Saturday’s win over the Grizzlies.
“Basketball always comes down to winning and competing, especially now that the season is so long,” Humphries told the Arizona Republic Saturday. “(Joining a playoff team) is always an option.”
The Suns acquired Humphries from the Wizards at the Feb. 18 trade deadline in a deal for Markieff Morris. Humphries has appeared in 32 games for the Wizards and Suns this season and averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 16.9 minutes.
Humphries, 31, is in his 12th season after being drafted in the first round (14th overall) by the Jazz in 2004. The well-traveled Humphries has also played for Raptors, Mavericks, Nets and Celtics. He has career-averages of 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds.
The Hawks have been looking at the buyout market to fill a roster spot cleared at the trade deadline due to the season-ending surgery to Tiago Splitter.
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