Former Atlanta Hawks guard battles way back into NBA
Former Atlanta Hawks guard Tyler Dorsey has played his way back into the NBA. In an offseason full of change, the Hawks have seen several players move on via trade and free agency including the surprise waiving of second-year guard Sharife Cooper who had just signed his qualifying, two-way offer.
With big man Nathan Knight signing a new two-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, there have also been plenty of rumblings and movement with former players.
Knight spent last season with the Hawks as a rookie appearing in 33 games off of the bench.
He joins a list that includes Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter, and now Dorsey, a 6-foot-5 guard out of the University of Oregon where he was a Pac-12 All-Freshman and two-time All-Pac-12 Tournament selection.
Tyler Dorsey returns to the NBA, joins Mavs after three-year stint overseas
The Hawks took Dorsey with the 41st-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft; the same year they took John Collins. Dorsey saw action in 56 games as a rookie, even drawing five starts. He averaged 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while knocking down 36.2% of his three-pointers.
That Hawks team finished 24-58 and set the stage for the Hawks to make a draft-night trade for Trae Young the following year.
Their trade sent Luka Doncic to the Dallas Mavericks.
Now, four years later, Dorsey is joining the Mavs on a two-way contract that technically keeps Dallas’ 15th roster spot free. But it also gives Dorsey a much-needed path to another NBA contract.
It comes in a rare case as two-way contracts can be for up to three years in length. But they are only available to players with fewer than four years of service time in the league.
Despite being drafted five classes ago, Dorsey has accrued just two years of service time.
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After his rookie year, he appeared in 27 games with the Hawks the following season before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for point guard Shelvin Mack. Dorsey played 21 games for the Grizzlies with 11 starts.
His best stretch of NBA basketball came with Memphis as he averaged 9.8 points 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while once again shooting over 36% from beyond the arc.
Dallas does have a void following the departure of guard Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks.
But Dorsey still figures to face an uphill battle to make the roster. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a shot. He is coming off leading his team to a Greek Basket League title and the Greek Cup this past season.
With injuries and teams taking more advantage of their two-way slots – which Dallas still has one open – Dorsey should get a shot to show what he can do and stay ready in the G-League.
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For the Hawks, this is inconsequential given his short time in Atlanta. But, just as with Knight, it is always noteworthy when a former Hawks player earns something as Dorsey has in getting another crack at the NBA.