The impact of the Atlanta Hawks claiming Jared Rhoden off waivers

The Atlanta Hawks are continuing to make moves this off-season. They started by sending Danilo Gallinari and draft picks to the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray. They also sent Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for some draft capital back as well as Justin Holiday and Maurice Harkless.

They have flipped Harkless to the OKC Thunder for Vit Krejci as well as signing free agents Aaron Holiday and Frank Kaminsky. They drafted AJ Griffin and Tyrese Martin and signed two-way players Jarrett Culver and Trent Forrest. On top of that, the College Park Skyhawks made moves that benefitted the varsity squad.

It has been a very busy summer for the Hawks, especially after they made so few moves the off-season before. From what we have seen in the pre-season, these moves seem like they are going to pay off for the Hawks this season.

Now it is time for the Atlanta Hawks to return the favor.

The Portland Trail Blazers waived Jared Rhoden on October 12th. The Hawks then claimed him off waivers three days later. Then, less than seven hours later the Hawks waived Rhoden in a move that only means that he is on track to join the College Park Skyhawks.

Rhoden played for four years at Seton Hall averaging 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 26.0 minutes per game. He developed enough that in his final season Rhoden averaged 15.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 33.1 minutes per game.

He is a solid 3-point shooter, going at 33.6 percent, and has the ability to create for himself or finish a play. He is a solid defender given that he averaged more than 1.0 steals per game in his final two college seasons.

At 6’6″ Rhoden is a size that can play both wing positions for the Skyhawks. This gives the G League team even more flexibility. Last season the Hawks gave Cat Barber an opportunity after a three-year college career. If Rhoden can achieve half of what Barber did then it is a signing that will be well and truly worth it.