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Atlanta Hawks: Is Brandon Goodwin Out of Rotation?

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Brandon Goodwin #0 of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball during a game against the Phoenix Suns at State Farm Arena on January 14, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Brandon Goodwin #0 of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball during a game against the Phoenix Suns at State Farm Arena on January 14, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Accessing whether or not Atlanta Hawks’ two way guard is on the way out of the rotation.

The Atlanta Hawks played the first few months of the season without a true backup point guard to Trae Young.

Young played a great amount of minutes, and with wings like Evan Turner, Deandre Bembry’, and Kevin Huerter showing ability to handle the ball, they didn’t really need one.

Despite, the team took a chance on two-way player Brandon Goodwin in mid December, who ended up playing some good minutes from then out.

The 24-year-old point guard has appeared in 14 games, averaging 13.1 minutes, 6.1 points and 1.6 assists. He had a highlight night with 21 points against the Magic on the 30th, then scored 14 against the Wizards a few nights later.

He wasn’t fantastic by any stretch, but provided enough offense to carry the 2nd team when Trae needed a break. Goodwin seemed to be the backup for the rest of the season, but then the Hawks made a trade.

Former Hawk Jeff Teague made his triumphant return to the ATL in the deal that sent Allen Crabbe to Minnesota, with Teague and Treveon Graham coming to the Hawks.

It was unclear how much run the two would get off the bat, and was answered a bit in the past two games.

In Teague’s re-debut, he got 25minutes off the bench, playing both behind and with Trae Young. Graham clocked 12, while Goodwin got just 4 minutes in the blowout loss.

Monday, all three got less run, with Graham getting a DNP. Teague played 11 minutes, Goodwin just 2. Trae Young played just a tick under 40 minutes, limiting the need for either of the new guards.

It is a small sample size, but it looks like Goodwin is now the team’s 3rd point guard.

On paper, it makes more sense for the rebuilding team to give the 24-year-old more play, but Teague is probably the better option, and has a real connection with the fans.

As for Goodwin, I still wouldn’t be surprised if his two-way contract gets converted into a full time NBA deal, but he might be more of a end of the bench guy than key contributor.

Next. Atlanta Hawks' tale of two rookies. dark

We’ll see how coach Lloyd Pierce handles these guard’s minutes in their next game, which is Wednesday at home vs. the Clippers.

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