New Hawks general manager Danny Ferry wants to put emphasize developing unpolished young players.
That could be good news for guard Pape Sy and center Keith Benson, two former Hawks draft picks now looking for another chance with the team.
Sy and Benson were among the free-agent hopefuls at Atlanta's minicamp that opened Tuesday at Philips Arena. The team will practice again Wednesday before heading to the Las Vegas Summer League to begin play on Friday.
Atlanta selected Sy in the second round of the 2010 draft and Benson in the second round of the 2011 draft. Both players were waived during training camp before last season as the Hawks opted to keep veterans for the final few roster spots.
Ferry's plan is to keep some young players who might help the team in the future.
"I saw they have some spots," Sy said. "I am trying to work to show the management that I can have a spot on this team next year."
Sy, whose name is pronounced Pop-See, already got a taste of playing for the Hawks.
Atlanta bought out Sy's contract with a team in his native France in the summer of 2010. The Hawks had him play 23 games in the NBA Development League in 2010-11 before calling him up to appear in three games near the end of the season.
Sy had a good showing during training camp before the 2011-12 season but Atlanta didn't feel like he'd developed enough as a point guard. The Hawks now plan to play Sy, who is 6-7, at shooting guard.
"Pape has really gotten better," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "I've always been intrigued by his size, his ability to get to the basket, his strength. He knows how to draw fouls when he goes to the cup. His shot has improved. Defensively, he's aggressive."
Benson's relatively thin frame and lack of aggression hurt his chances to make Atlanta's roster last season. He played 20 games for Sioux Falls in the D-League last season and appeared in three games with Golden State after signing a 10-day contract in March.
Benson said he's improved his strength and plans on being more assertive. He said losing last summer to the lockout hurt his development because he only got to participate in two abbreviated camps.
"I think I have a good chance [now] to show what I can do and show my skills for a longer period of time," he said.
Sy and Benson are among four players on Atlanta's summer roster with NBA experience. Guard Jerry Smith appeared in five games with the Nets last season and forward Derrick Caracter played 41 games with the Lakers during the 2010-11 season.
The summer league is a chance for 2012 draft picks John Jenkins and Mike Scott to work with Hawks coaches and face better competition. NBA teams field teams in the league that feature a combination of draft picks, young players on their current roster and free agents with professional experience.
Jenkins practiced Tuesday just a couple hours after signing his contract. As the No. 23 overall draft pick, Jenkins is guaranteed about $2.5 million over the next two years with the Hawks holding options for two additional seasons.
Jenkins predicted that the financial windfall won't change him.
"My parents won't let it happen and the people around me won't let it happen," he said. "It's also not who I am. I'm a very, very cheap person. I might get a nice car, not much else. I'm very blessed just to be in the NBA."
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