Atlanta Hawks: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell should make someone’s roster
The Atlanta Hawks have made plenty of headlines over the past few weeks and months. From their improbable turnaround during the regular season, their surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, and an impressive draft haul the Hawks seem to be making all of the right moves on their way up in the NBA hierarchy.
One Hawks Summer Leaguer that needs to be highlighted more is DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell. The 6-foot-6 wing has been a pleasant surprise since the opening tip.
He’s Atlanta’s fourth-leading scorer and has been extremely consistent.
Atlanta Hawks Summer Leaguer DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell deserves a shot at a roster spot
More from Hawks News
- 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?
- Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
- Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic makes special dedication after FIBA win
Akoon-Purcell is averaging 12 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game in Las Vegas, He’s shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also shown good effort on the defensive end.
In their loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Akoon-Purcell had 12 points, five boards, an assist, and shot 50 percent from deep.
The 28-year-old went undrafted out of Illinois State in 2016 but won a championship in his first season overseas.
He signed with the Nuggets in 2018 for Summer League and later on a two-way contract but averaged just 1.0 points and 0.6 rebounds in 3.1 minutes per game.
He was waived when the deal expired after appearing in just seven games.
After a couple of stops back across the pond, Akoon-Purcell played for the 76ers (just two games), Pacers, and Thunder affiliates from 2019 to 2020.
He averaged 17.7 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Blue.
It’s still Summer League so, no he shouldn’t be guaranteed a roster; far from it. But there are definitely a few guys sitting on the ends of some benches around the NBA that he should be able to outwork.
The most impressive thing has been that he’s made an impact even as he’s nowhere close to a focal point. And you can basically set your watch to what he’s going to give you on the floor.
Unfortunately, the Hawks are deepest on the wings with draft picks and high-priced free agents.
dark. Next. Atlanta Hawks: Travis Schlenk sets goal for Cam Reddish in Year 3
There just aren’t many avenues for him the get another shot at the NBA with the Hawks. But the Summer League has been a nice showcase. That is if you value veterans who are steady and just do what’s needed. Akoon-Purcell is very much like the re-signed Solomon Hill in that way. Those types of guys tend to find their way.