Atlanta Hawks assign guard John Jenkins to D-League, recall Jared Cunningham to active roster

Nov 3, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks to Atlanta Hawks shooting guard John Jenkins (12) during the first half against Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

After the announcement that 1st-round pick Dennis Schröder would be assigned to the Bakersfield Jam (the D-League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks), it seemed as if the roster movement would calm down for a bit. That assumption was proved wrong on Friday morning.

The Hawks announced that shooting guard and 2012 1st-round pick John Jenkins has been sent to the D-League, and that fellow 2-guard Jared Cunningham would be recalled to replace him. At first glance, this is a bit of an odd switch, but with Jenkins seeing very little playing time (and playing relatively poorly in his action) and Cunningham excelling in Bakersfield, it makes some sense.

Cunningham’s addition to the active NBA roster is probably minimal, despite his 15-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist stat line from D-League action, and that leaves Jenkins as the main point of focus. It is pretty odd to see the two most recent 1st-round picks now playing side-by-side in Bakersfield, but with Jenkins posting a 5.09 PER in 10 appearances this year, it can’t hurt.

On the bright side, Danny Ferry and company will get to evaluate Schröder and Jenkins together in Bakersfield, and each guy can (and in my opinion, will) benefit from additional floor time.