Report: Atlanta Hawks Considering Signing Gary Neal
According to a report, the Atlanta Hawks are considering adding a shooting guard to their roster. Is this particular player the right fit?
The trade rumors have temporarily stopped for the Atlanta Hawks, but that doesn’t mean their roster won’t undergo any changes. It appears like they are planning to add some depth on the wing.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Hawks have recently worked out veteran shooting guard Gary Neal. They are now considering offering him a ten-day contract. Neal currently plays with the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.
ESPN sources say the Hawks worked out Gary Neal this week and are strongly leaning toward signing the veteran shooter to a 10-day contract.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2017
It would be an @nbadleague call-up if the Hawks go through with the signing of Gary Neal after the ex-Spur recently joined the @TexasLegends
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2017
They currently have a number of wings fighting for playing time on the roster. Kent Bazemore, Thabo Sefolosha, DeAndre’ Bembry, Tim Hardaway Jr., Taurean Prince, and Mike Dunleavy Jr. comprise the current wing rotation. Of course, only one of those players is an above average three-point shooter.
Related Story: Are The Trade Rumors Over For Good?
Neal is a fairly limited player, especially defensively, but one thing he can do is make outside shots. Neal is a 38.2 percent three-point shooter for his career. During the 2015-16 season, he played 40 games for the Washington Wizards. In 20.2 minutes per game he averaged 9.8 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting and 41 percent from outside.
More from Soaring Down South
- Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
- Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
- When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
- Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
- Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
The Wizards waived him in March after he was limited by nagging injuries. Neal’s best season came during his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs.
That season he played in 80 games, averaging 9.8 points per game on 45.1 percent shooting from the floor and 41.9 percent from three-point range.
Adding Neal to the roster certainly couldn’t hurt. It’s unlikely that he would earn meaningful minutes, but if he proves that he’s healthy he could bring scoring off of the bench.
The Hawks are 24th in the NBA in terms of three-point shooting efficiency, making just 34.1 percent of the three-pointers they attempt.
Next: Grades From The Loss To The Celtics
Stay tuned for more details about this potential signing.