The Hawks have signed Lamar Patterson and Terran Petteway to partially guaranteed two-year minimum contracts, according to several people familiar with the situation. The two guard/forwards had solid showings in the Las Vegas Summer League earlier this month and will be in training camp.
Patterson, a second-round pick (No. 48 overall) last season obtain in a draft-day trade, led the Hawks in scoring during summer league this year. The 6-foot-5 Patterson averaged 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 25.9 minutes. He started all seven games for the Hawks. He scored in double figures in six of the seven games including a 17-point performance and three 16-point performances.
Patterson completed a solid campaign playing for Tofas Bursa in Turkey last season after being drafted out of Pittsburgh. In 29 games, he averaged 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 28.6 minutes.
“That’s the plan, that’s the goal,” Patterson said recently of a potential roster spot. “That’s why you play sports. You want there to be a battle. Whoever works the hardest usually comes out on top. Right now, I just want to show them how much I improved overseas.”
Petteway, an undrafted free agent after his junior season at Nebraska, appeared in all seven summer league games, including six starts. He averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.0 minutes. The 6-6 Petteway scored in double figures three times, including a 19-point game. He ranked fourth in the Big Ten is scoring as 18.2 points per game last season.
“Really, I like the way these guys play,” Petteway said recently about his decision to play summer league with the Hawks. “They get up and down the floor. That’s my type of basketball, right there, getting up and down the floor. They play great defense and share the ball.”
The Hawks have 14 players on their roster before the signings of Patterson and Petteway. Only Mike Muscala is not guaranteed but he is a lock to make the team. That leaves the Hawks with one potential roster spot going into the 2015-16 season. The Hawks would like to add depth at the wing position following the departure of DeMarre Carroll to free agency and with Kyle Korver and Thabo Sefolosha coming off season-ending injuries. Patterson and Petteway will get a chance to earn a spot in training camp. The Hawks could also elect to keep the final spot open for possible in-season moves.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned both Patterson and Petteway last week when asked about players who had made a good impression during summer league.
The Hawks will open training camp on Sept. 29.
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