Hawks Invite David Lighty and Eric Dawson to Training Camp

Feb. 21, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Eric Dawson (23) passes the ball off as Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) defends during the third quarter of the game at the Rose Garden. The Blazers won the game 137-97. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

With training camp for the Atlanta Hawks set to begin in less than a month, the team has reportedly extended training camp invitations to two non-roster players.

Former Ohio State swingman David Lighty and former San Antonio Spurs forward (albeit briefly) Eric Dawson will be attending Hawks camp in order to battle for a currently vacant roster spot. As of this moment, the Hawks have 14 players on the roster, but with Shelvin Mack and Mike Scott holding non-guaranteed contracts, that number is a bit more flexible than it seems with the roster maximum of 15 still in play.

Lighty has honestly been a favorite of mine for a long time. Despite his poor choice of collegiate destination (ahem), he was a lock-down defender of the highest order in college, and that has reportedly translated to his overseas professional stops. However, Lighty was offensively limited after he exited Columbus, and that stigma has blocked him from an NBA career thus far.

As for Dawson, he is a more unfamiliar player to me thanks to his collegiate experience at Midwestern State. However, the Spurs thought enough of his talents to sign him to two separate 10-day contracts, and he is a long-time veteran of the NBDL. He has good size at 6-foot-9, and he’ll be battling with the newly acquired big man rotation of Pero Antic, Gustavo Ayon, and Elton Brand during camp.

It is pretty unlikely that the Hawks would keep either player when the season opens, but if I had to handicap it now (in early September, mind you), I would surmise that Lighty has the better chance, simply because of the lack of wing depth on the roster. It’s almost time for the NBA, and the excitement is building in the midst of footballs flying through the air. Stay tuned.