The Hawks waived forward Nicolas Brussino on Friday and eventually plan to use the open roster spot to sign rookie Tyler Cavanaugh to a full NBA contract.
Cavanaugh is playing on a “two-way” contract that limits the amount of days he can be on the NBA roster, with the balance of the season spent at the team’s G-League affiliate in Erie, Pa. Cavanaugh will reach that limit in about two weeks, at which point the Hawks plan to sign him to a full NBA contract, according to a person with knowledge of the team’s plan.
Cavanaugh, 23, wasn’t selected in the draft out of George Washington University. The Hawks signed him to a training-camp contract, waived him before the start of the season, and then signed him to the two-way contract Nov. 5.
Cavanaugh has played 15 games, with averages of 12.1 minutes, 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds. The 6-foot-9 forward has played extensively at center after Dewayne Dedmon and John Collins were added to the injury list last week.
Brussino, 24, appeared in four games with the Hawks after they claimed him off waivers from the Mavericks in July. Brussino played in 54 games for the Mavericks as a rookie in 2016-17, but Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has said Brussino needed to get stronger before he could earn minutes with his new team.
If Brussino isn’t claimed off waivers, the Hawks will owe him the balance of the $900,000 that’s guaranteed of his $1.3 million salary.
About the Author
