Antawn Jamison will not be a Hawk — meaning the team essentially made no move at the NBA trade deadline.
One day after acquiring Jamison from the Clippers, the Hawks requested waivers on the forward Friday. He was obtained for the rights to 2005 second-round draft pick Cenk Akyol, who has remained in Turkey. The deal cost the Hawks nothing.
General manager Danny Ferry indicated immediately following the trade that it was possible that Jamison would not join the team.
“We’ll look at Antwan over the next couple of days and decide if it’s the best fit for each other,” Ferry said Thursday.
Ultimately, the Hawks were looking for a player who could play power forward and center — as they had with Al Horford, Pero Antic and Gustavo Ayon before each was injured. Jamison is more of a forward in the mold of Paul Millsap and Mike Scott.
“I think we always look for ways to improve and get better,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. “That is going to come from within. (The) continuity of our group and keeping our group together is what we feel is best. We really like our guys.”
Jamison will become an unrestricted free agent should he clear waivers in 48 hours. He can sign with any team except the Clippers. If he does sign with another team, Jamison would be eligible for the playoffs. Jamison appeared in 22 games with the Clippers this season and averaged 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.3 minutes.
The Hawks made a similar trade-deadline move last year when they took Jeremy Tyler from the Warriors for cash considerations.
Teague out, Carroll in: The Hawks played without starting point guard Jeff Teague on Friday against the Pistons because of his left ankle sprain. He suffered the injury with three minutes remaining in Wednesday's game against the Wizards. Teague was a game-time decision Friday, but could not play after two days of treatment and a pregame warmup. Teague also missed two games in January with a left ankle sprain. Shelvin Mack started in Teague's place.
The Hawks did get DeMarre Carroll back. The starting small forward and defensive specialist missed the past three games with a left hamstring strain.
Carroll has missed seven games this season, and the Hawks are 1-6 in those games, with an average margin of defeat of 16.3 points.
The Hawks dressed 10 healthy players.
Martin back: The Hawks signed Cartier Martin for the remainder of the season Friday. The move came hours after the team waived the forward before his second 10-day contract expired to clear a roster space for Jamison.
Martin played the first 25 games of the season with the Hawks. He was waived before his contract became guaranteed. After playing out two 10-day contracts with the Bulls, the Hawks brought him back.
“I’m definitely excited about it and being back here with my guys,” Martin said. “I’m locked in with these guys and these coaches and ready to finish out the year.”
Before Friday’s game, Martin had appeared in 31 games (four starts) with the Hawks and averaged 6.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 17.1 minutes.
Cunningham back: The Hawks also recalled Jared Cunningham from the NBA Development League on Friday to help replenish their thinning ranks. The guard has bounced between the Hawks and the D-League all season. He was most recently re-assigned to the Bakersfield (Calif.) Jam on Feb. 4.
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