Lamar Patterson is back in a place he calls home.
The Hawks signed the guard/forward to a 10-day contract on Sunday for a reunion. Patterson played for the Hawks in the 205-16 season. The move became official after Patterson passed a physical. He was available for Sunday’s game against the Knicks.
The move gives the Hawks a full 15-man roster after the team did not re-sign Gary Neal to a second 10-day contract after his first expired Friday.
“It feels good to be back,” Patterson said. “It feels like home. This is home. Everyone was welcoming. It is an easy transition when you come back to a place you are familiar with.”
The 10-day contract expires on Feb. 7 and Patterson will be available for five games with the Hawks. The team can choose to re-sign him to a second 10-day contract and then would have to sign him for the remainder of the season.
The Hawks obtained Patterson on draft night in 2014 after he was a second-round pick of the Bucks at No. 48 overall. He played one season in Turkey for Tofas Bursa. He joined the Hawks the following season and appeared in 35 games and averaged 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.3 minutes.
The Hawks waived Patterson this summer and he was claimed by the Kings.
“He is obviously somebody who knows our stuff,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He’s shown an ability to be a point guard and a wing. He’s been playing well in the D-League. He is a unique, special passer. I think he’s been working on his shot. His body looks a little better.”
Patterson played this season for the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League where he has put up impressive numbers. In 28 games, he averaged 24.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals in 35.8 minutes. He ranked fourth in the D-League in scoring, 12th in assists and tied for 12th in steals.
Patterson drew interest from two other NBA teams for a 10-day contract. The decision to re-join the Hawks was an easy one, he said.
“This is how it is,” Patterson said of the most recent path on his professional journey. “Everyone has a different story. Everyone has a different path. Right now, I’m going through mine. I love Atlanta. This is home. I’m grateful for another opportunity and that they continue to keep an open door for me.”
Patterson will wear his former No. 13.
About the Author
