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Atlanta Hawks: Patterson and Petteway Invited to Training Camp

By Jonathan Savitske

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The Atlanta Hawks invited two of their Las Vegas Summer League players to training camp on Thursday, as former second pick Lamar Patterson and undrafted former Nebraska swingman Terran Petteway will both have a shot at the 15th and final roster spot for the 2015-2016 season.

Lamar Patterson and Terran Petteway both performed remarkably well for the Atlanta Hawks during the Las Vegas Summer League, as Patterson led the team in scoring while averaging 13.5 points per game. Terran Petteway showcased a solid outside shot during the month of July, though he also demonstrated a tendency to go ice-cold at times.

-= Related: Atlanta Hawks: Las Vegas Summer League Review =-

Patterson played last season professionally in Turkey for Tofas SC. As the season went on Patterson continued to improve his game, warranting him another look at this year’s LVSL. Patterson possesses the skills to become a rotation player in the league, but needs refinement in his offensive and defensive. If there is any coach in the NBA that can coax as much talent and effort out of a player as possible, Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer is the man.

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Patterson showed during the LVSL that he is a capable scorer, but similar flaws in his game that plagued him college still exist at the professional level. He tends to try to do too much, not allowing the flow of the offense create open shots. His defense is still suspect as well.

At 6’6”, Terran Petteway is an intriguing prospect for the Atlanta Hawks. Undrafted out of college, Petteway’s mix of size and shooting ability piqued the Hawks interested and as a result was added to the Las Vegas Summer League roster. The Atlanta Hawks have been looking throughout the offseason to add wing depth and shooting to their roster — and Petteway could very well fit the bill. As with most summer league players, Petteway (like Patterson) would at times try to do too much while on the floor, leading to wasted offensive possessions.

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There is only one roster spot left on the Atlanta Hawks going into next season; and it is highly unlikely that either Patterson or Petteway would see any consistent minutes as part of Mike Budenholzer’s rotation. Nonetheless, both players now have an opportunity to make an NBA roster with the Atlanta Hawks. Patterson and Petteway could develop into nice players, given the right system and right coach. DeMarre Carroll was in a similar position a few seasons ago, and he just got significant raise this offseason.

Given both players experience and skill-sets, I think Patterson is the most likely candidate to make the Atlanta Hawks’ roster next season. The Hawks have already invested much into his development, both during the summer league and his overseas play. Petteway could be a nice player on a younger and developing team that needs depth.

For continued updates on the Atlanta Hawks, keep it here at ATL All Day.

Next: Atlanta Hawks: Tiago Splitter and the Front-Court Rotation

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