Hawks draftees Adreian Payne and Lamar Patterson each said they intend to play in the Las Vegas Summer League next month.
The status of Walter Tavares is not known, as there are contract issues to be resolved. The issues are similar to those of first-round pick Lucas Nogueira last year, who was cleared to play just before the Hawks’ first game.
All three of last year’s draftees are expected to be a part of the Las Vegas tournament. Mike Muscala confirmed that he will play again this year. Dennis Schroder and Nogueira also are expected to be there. Third-year guard John Jenkins, recovering from back surgery, said he will play.
The Hawks are guaranteed five games in the event that runs from July 11-22.
Scott, Mack likely to get offers: The Hawks likely will make qualifying offers to restricted free agents Mike Scott and Shelvin Mack. With the NBA draft just completed, a final determination has not been made on an offer to Gustavo Ayon.
The qualifying offers would give the Hawks the right of first refusal, meaning they can match any offer from another team to Scott and Mack. Ayon would become an unrestricted free agent if he does not receive a qualifying offer.
The Hawks have until June 30 to submit the offers. A qualifying offer is a standing deal for a one-year guaranteed contract.
Scott would receive a qualifying offer of at least $1,115,243. The forward had a breakout season in his second one in the NBA. He appeared in 80 games and averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. He improved his shooting range and made 62 of 200 (.310) 3-point attempts last season.
Mack would receive a qualifying offer of at least $1,148,163. The guard won the backup point guard position, one season after signing with the Hawks midseason after also playing for the Wizards and 76ers. Mack appeared in 73 games last season and averaged 7.5 points and 2.2 assists.
Ayon would receive a qualifying offer of at least $1,875,000, a figure unlikely to be paid by the Hawks. Ayon, whom the Hawks were awarded on waivers before last season, was lost for the year after right shoulder surgery. He played in just 26 games and averaged 4.3 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Tavares needs development: Tavares, the Hawks' second-round pick, likely will continue to develop overseas. The The 7-foot-3, 260-pound center has a 7-foot-9 wingspan. The 21-year-old played last season in Spain's ACB League, and the Hawks will keep on eye on him and help in his development.
“Walter is a very interesting player,” Hawks general manager Danny Ferry said. “If we can help him develop with might have something unique. … He has made great progress over the last several years as it relates to his athleticism. He is a kid who will work hard and do what he needs to do. We felt like with where we were picking it was a very good opportunity for us to try.”
Tavares, who prefers to be called Edy, was discovered by a tourist in his native Cape Verde, an island country in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Western Africa. He was late to the game of basketball but has played in the Spanish League since 2009. Last season he averaged 6.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 20.7 minutes for Gran Canaria.
Ferry said the Hawks saw Tavares on scouting trips to Europe to watch Nogueira and Muscala in the ACB League. Tavares also worked out for the Hawks before the draft in Atlanta. The organization was surprised Tavares slipped into the second round.
Patterson acquired: The Hawks acquired the draft rights to guard Patterson in a trade with the Bucks on Thursday night.
“Lamar is a player who really knows how to play basketball,” Ferry said. “Smart, a good feel for the game, very good passer and he will fit into our system in regard to his ability to see the court and pass the ball.”
Patterson (6-foot-5, 212 pounds) played four seasons at Pittsburgh. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 32.6 minutes as a senior. The Hawks acquired Patterson for a 2015 second-round pick. Currently the Hawks hold their own second-round pick and a second-round pick from the Nets (via the Jazz) in 2015.
Patterson, who said he models his game after Magic Johnson, had 19 pre-draft workouts. Two were with the Hawks, including one Monday.
Trade talk: The Hawks considered a first-round trade before taking Payne, according to Ferry. "We had conversations to move back, we had conversations to move up," Ferry said. "At the end of the day, as it evolved and all the opportunities came through, we felt like the best thing was to take the pick, and we are excited."
Ratings up: ESPN had a 3.1 overnight rating, the highest-rated NBA draft ever on the network, according to Nielsen. The figure was a 19 percent increase from last year's telecast.
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