The plan is for Diamond Stone to play for the Hawks’ entry in the Las Vegas Summer League contingent on the completion of the trade that will bring the second-year center from the Clippers, according to several people familiar with the situation.
Stone is part of an agreed-upon three-team trade between the Hawks, Clippers and Nuggets. The deal cannot be finalized until the end of the NBA moratorium period Thursday. The Las Vegas Summer League begins Friday when the Hawks open play against the Nets at 8 p.m. (ET). Stone must pass a physical as part of the completion of the trade and his availability to play summer league.
Stone, 6-foot-11, 260 pounds, was drafted in the second round (No. 40 overall) out of Maryland by the Pelicans in the 2016 NBA Draft. The Clippers acquired him in a draft-night trade. He played seven games for the Clippers last season. He spent time in the G League with Santa Cruz and Salt Lake City. In 13 combined games, Stone averaged 16.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 21.7 minutes.
Stone appeared in five games for the Clippers in the Orlando Summer League as a rookie last year and averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.4 minutes.
