Damien Wilkins’ return to the Hawks was short-lived.
Wilkins was one of three players, along with David Lighty and Adonis Thomas, waived by the team Monday to trim the training camp roster to 17 players. All three were non-roster training camp invitees.
“They all were great,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. “It’s been a great camp and I really appreciate all their work and effort. It’s the hardest part in sports and in being a coach. At some point we have to get down (in numbers) a little bit.”
Budenholzer, who was an assistant coach with the Spurs for 19 seasons before being hired by the Hawks this summer, said it was the first time he had to cut a player at the NBA level.
Wilkins, a veteran of nine NBA seasons, played 52 games for the Hawks in 2010-11. The 6-foot-6 guard/forward appeared in two of the Hawks’ three exhibition games, including a start Sunday against the Pelicans. He scored three points, all from the free-throw line, against the Pelicans in 16:18 and had four points against the Bobcats in 15:26.
“It’s nothing new to me,” Wilkins said early in camp about returning to the Hawks as a non-roster invitee. “I’ve been through this the last three years. I’m not foreign to it. You go out there and compete and may the best man or men win.”
Wilkins was competing for one of the open spots at the shooting guard/small forward position.
Thomas appeared in one exhibition game. He debuted Sunday after sitting out the first two contests and had two points in 11:28. The 6-7 forward out of Memphis was part of the Hawks’ Las Vegas Summer League team. He played in three games and averaged 1.3 points and 9.7 minutes. He left Memphis after two seasons but went undrafted. He averaged 11.7 points and 4.5 rebounds his sophomore season.
“I just figured I had total confidence in what I was doing,” Thomas said of his decision to leave college for the NBA. “I felt as though I was ready. I felt as though I was an NBA player and I was ready to leave. I didn’t get drafted unfortunately but you can’t dwell on that. Right now, I’m trying to make the best of this opportunity. I feel like I can compete at this level right now.”
Lighty has also appeared in just one exhibition game. He did not score in 9:42 against the Bobcats. The 6-5 guard from Ohio State has played professionally in Italy and France.
The Hawks must trim their opening day roster to a maximum of 15 players by Oct. 28.
Plenty to work on: Budenholzer said he saw elements of how he wants the Hawks to play during Sunday's 105-73 loss to the New Orleans. Most of it was by the Pelicans, however.
“It wasn’t one of our better preseason games,” Budenholzer said. “Watching New Orleans and how hard they cut and how hard they screen, the edge and execution they had was impressive. There were times during the first half when we were attacking the basket and getting to the rim. I felt like we were getting good looks and good opportunities. We weren’t necessarily converting them like we wanted. Those were probably the two biggest things – coming out ready to play and matching the other team’s energy and effort.”
The Hawks continue their exhibition schedule with their home opener Thursday against the Spurs.
Injury update: John Jenkins, who has missed all three exhibition games with lower back spasms, returned to basketball activities Monday. The guard was taking shots under the watchful eye of assistant coaches following practice. Jenkins remains day-to-day but said he is "coming along." … Kyle Korver missed practice time after suffering a chin laceration Monday. He required several stitches. Gustavo Ayon (right shoulder) and Lou Williams (torn ACL) will not play against the Spurs.
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