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Report: Atlanta Hawks To Sign Ryan Kelly and Lamar Patterson

By Andrew Snyder

Dec 26, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Lamar Patterson (13) dribbles against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 117-98. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Lamar Patterson (13) dribbles against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Knicks 117-98. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Hawks have made two more roster moves. Signing some familiar faces to end of season contracts.

The Atlanta Hawks have a had a busy few days. On Wednesday they acquired Ersan Ilyasova from the Philadelphia 76ers for Tiago Splitter, a second-round pick, and a second-round pick swap.

Thursday afternoon they traded Mike Scott to the Phoenix Suns for cash considerations. The move meant that they would have two open roster spots moving forward. The prevailing thought was that the Hawks would pursue another point guard.

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Buyout candidates like Deron Williams and Tyreke Evans were suggested by fans and bloggers alike. Atlanta decided to go in a different direction. Thursday night Chris Vivlamore reported that the Hawks have elected to sign Ryan Kelly and Lamar Patterson to end of season contracts.

Kelly and Patterson have both spent time with the Hawks this season. Kelly appeared in nine games this season before being waived on Jan. 6. For his career he has averaged 6.2 points per game on 38 percent shooting and 31.4 percent from three-point range.

Patterson began the season with Reno Bighorns in the NBA Development League. After playing well in the D-League, the Hawks signed Patterson to a 10-day contract on Jan. 29. He then signed a second 10-day contract on Feb. 8.

Feb. 18 his second 10-day contract expired, so he returned to the Reno Bighorns. Now Patterson will finish the season with Atlanta. In four games with the Hawks this season Patterson averaged 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game on 25 percent shooting and 20 percent from three-point range.

Kelly and Patterson will likely not factor into the rotation this season. They’ll serve as bench depth and might get minutes in garbage. The signings come as a bit of a surprise. The Hawks love to sign players that are familiar with their system, but neither Kelly nor Patterson is a point guard.

Next: Grading The Ersan Ilyasova Trade

Patterson has served as an emergency point guard in the past, but that is not his preferred role. Vivlamore reported that both will likely be in uniform for the Hawks tomorrow night. Atlanta returns to from the All-Star break to take on the Miami Heat Friday night at Phillips Arena.

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