There is a “good possibility” that the Hawks will sign James Nunnally to a 10-day contract, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Nunnally, who currently plays for the Bakersfield (Calif.) Jam of the NBA Development League, likely will sign Saturday.
The 6-foot-7 forward was not in Atlanta on Friday morning in advance of the evening game against the Rockets. He would not have a chance to meet with coaches and begin to learn the Hawks’ system.
Nunnally, who played collegiately at California-Santa Barbara, averaged 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 19 games for the Jam this season. The Jam were scheduled to play Reno on Friday night.
The Hawks watched Nunnally play two games in the D-League Showcase in Reno, Nev. He had 20 points, four assists and three rebounds in a win over Sioux Falls on Sunday. He also had 19 points, six assists and nine rebounds in a loss to Iowa on Tuesday.
Nunnally appeared in three exhibition games with the Suns before he was released in training camp. He replaces forward Cartier Martin, who was waived Wednesday before his contract became guaranteed.
Martin signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls on Friday.
Film session: Following Wednesday's win over the Pacers, several Hawks pointed to a film session the previous day as a key to the victory. Paul Millsap in particular said the session emphasized that the team had gotten away from the discipline necessary in offensive and defensive sets.
“(A lack of discipline) in a lot of different areas can come back and bite you in a big way, even the little areas where maybe we are not as disciplined as we need to be,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. “All those things add up. We talk about we want to be the team that makes the less mistakes, play smarter and smarter. Our guys are great about taking things from the practice court and film room and applying them.”
Injury updates: Forward/center Gustavo Ayon, who has not played in the previous four games, has been healthy and available according to Budenholzer. John Jenkins missed his ninth consecutive game with nerve pain in his leg related to a lower back injury.
