Atlanta Hawks Summer League Preview

The Atlanta Hawks begin play at the 2016 Las Vegas Summer League on Friday, July 10.

The Summer League gives undrafted and under-utilized players the opportunity to showcase their skills and try to earn a roster spot on an NBA squad. The coach for this year’s Atlanta Hawks Summer League team will be Hawks Assistant and Dominican Republic National Coach Kenny Atkinson.

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For the past couple of summers, Atlanta Hawks players Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala have played in Las Vegas, demonstrating the ability to compete in the NBA and to further develop their skill-set.

This year’s summer league is more interesting than other Atlanta Hawks teams in years past because it features an intriguing NBA prospect — 7’3’’ center out of the Spanish ACB League Walter Tavares.

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Walter Tavares was the 43rd pick of the Atlanta Hawks in the 2014 NBA Draft. Though he has yet to play in the NBA, his size is reason enough for fans and pundits alike to wonder about the prospect of Tavares playing for the team next season. The 23-year-old Tavares possesses a 7’9’’ wingspan, and is adept at rim protection and securing rebounds.

As a member of Herbalife Gran Canaria last season, Tavares averaged 8.1 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game — clearly demonstrating the physicality to make an immediate impact on the defensive end while playing in the second best professional basketball league in the world. His offense is still a work in progress, but with playing time he could develop into a very nice player in the league.

Apr 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (31) shoots the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Nets 131-99. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

It is unclear whether Walter Tavares will even crack the rotation for the Atlanta Hawks this season following his buyout by the Hawks on July 2nd. At the very least, his play in the summer league will allow the Hawks to gauge where he is at in his development. During his play in the Las Vegas Summer League in 2014, Tavares averaged 6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Expect improvement in those categories in 2015.

Mike Muscala is returning to the Las Vegas Summer League for the third consecutive year. Muscala became a rotation player for the Atlanta Hawks toward the end of last season and into the playoffs, taking minutes away from the oft-maligned and now departed Pero Antic, as well as the ever streaky Mike Scott.

Muscala raised his play at the end of last year, displaying a silky jumper and the ability to stretch the defense beyond the three-point-line. He also displayed physicality and the ability to rebound on the defensive end. It is probable that Muscala will continue to gain the trust of Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer in the coming season and will see his minutes on the court increase as he continues to develop.

Another returning player to the Atlanta Hawks Summer League squad is 2014 second round draft pick, Lamar Patterson. Patterson, a swingman from Pittsburgh, played last season in Turkey, averaging 11.2 PPG and 50 percent field goal percentage for Tofas Bursa. With the Hawks looking to add wing depth after the departure of DeMarre Carroll, Patterson’s play this July is worth a further look by the Hawks.

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