The Hawks are following through on their previously reported plans to sign Antonius Cleveland to a long-term contract. Once that deal is official, the Hawks will sign G-League prospect Damion Lee to a 10-day contract, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Adding Lee, a 6-foot-6 swingman, will bolster the Hawks’ depth at the wing positions after a series of injuries left them thin.
Kent Bazemore suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday and Jaylen Morris went down with an ankle injury in the same game. DeAndre’ Bembry (groin) hasn’t played since Feb. 23 and Cleveland still is rehabilitating an ankle injury he suffered while playing for the Mavericks in December.
Lee, 25, wasn’t selected in the 2016 draft out of Louisville (he played for the Cardinals as a graduate transfer after four years at Drexel). Lee has played 54 games in the G-League over the past two seasons, including 38 with Santa Cruz this season. He’s averaged 16.4 points per game on 46 percent shooting in the G-League, including 36.1 percent on 3-pointers.
Cleveland, 24, wasn’t selected in the NBA draft out of Southeast Missouri State. After going to 2017 Las Vegas Summer League with the Trail Blazers, Cleveland was cut by the Warriors following training camp and played 81 minutes over 13 games for the Mavericks.
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