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Atlanta Hawks: Who Replaces Mike Scott in the Rotation?

By Jonathan Savitske

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Atlanta Hawks’ forward Mike Scott was arrested on July 30th after a high speed vehicular chase and was found in the possession of high quantities of marijuana and MDMA.

Scott now faces up to 25 years in prison following the alleged felony drug charges. Though the Atlanta Hawks have not yet commented on Scott’s situation, the writing on the wall seems to indicate that the team will no longer be in need of his services.

-= Related: Mike Budenholzer: Repeat as NBA Coach of the Year? =-

Mike Scott was a key part of Head Coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotation in the 2014 and much of the 2015 season. Last year, Scott played in 68 games, averaging 7.9 points per game with 2 rebounds. Though he fell out of favor late in the season, Scott was still a key contributor on an Atlanta Hawks team that was first in the Eastern Conference with 60 wins on the year.

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The big question for the Atlanta Hawks to answer is who will replace Mike Scott on their roster now that it seems that his spot will be open? His scoring ability coming off the bench will be missed; and at the Power Forward position his ability to stretch the floor was key for the Atlanta Hawks to create mismatches.

The Atlanta Hawks could address the void left by Mike Scott both internally and externally. Unfortunately, there are not many noteworthy free agents left on the market, and even if the Hawks could afford a player like Tristan Thompson, the cost of signing him would be prohibitive. The Hawks simply do not currently possess the requisite financial flexibility to go out and sign an impact player to replace Scott (though signing Thompson would be a dream come true after his performance in the ECF).

-= Related: Elton Brand: Former NBA All-Star Retires =-

A couple of candidates to take the place of Mike Scott on the roster are internal options:Lamar Patterson and Terran Petteway. Both players are invitees to training camp and played on the Atlanta Hawks Las Vegas Summer League team.

Though both Patterson and Petteway are small forwards, Scott himself is undersized for his natural position. Mike Budenholzer would occassionally shift Scott to the 3 in some lineups; and with both Walter Tavares and Tiago Splitter now on the Hawks roster, the need for depth at the PF position has already been addressed.

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Patterson and Petteway demonstrated during the LVSL that they are capable of making outside shots like Scott, and if they are able to develop, could help defray the loss of Mike Scott’s production off the bench. Before Mike Scott’s arrest, there was only one roster spot left on the Atlanta Hawks depth chart, but now there would seem to be two, allowing the Hawks more flexibility in vetting the strengths of both players.

The final way the Atlanta Hawks could address the situation at hand is to not address it at all. With Tiago Splitter, Mike Muscala, and Walter Tavares on the roster, there is not a glaring need to go out and sign another player or to fill the empty roster spot. All three are capable of producing at the same level (if not more) than Scott did last season.

It is unfortunate for the Atlanta Hawks and Mike Scott that both parties are now thrust into this situation; but the silver lining for the team is that I do not believe Scott will be missed that much. Maybe Petteway and Patterson will surprise the Hawks’ brass at camp and be able to secure an NBA contract.

Next: Mike Scott Faces 25 In Prison After Arrest

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