Atlanta Hawks

Does Edy Tavares have a role with Hawks when Tiago Splitter returns?

Published Jan. 6, 2016 12:59 p.m. ET

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Atlanta's Walter "Edy" Tavares has played on and off minutes in the NBA and the NBA's D-League this season. Where does he project when Splitter returns from injury?

Tavares has totaled 54 minutes during 7 games for the Hawks this season. But his numbers have been minuscule, adding 2.7 points per game with 2.1 rebounds and 0.7 blocks over 7.7 minutes per game. Over his last few games, however, Tavares has seen his most meaningful minutes to date.

After failing to eclipse three minutes on the floor before December, Tavares logged over seven minutes on December 12.

In his last three games, Tavares has played 10:15 minutes, 18:10 minutes and 12:57 minutes. He's recorded 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks during the stretch. But does he have a role with a healthy Splitter?

"Edy has played well. At the end of day, you probably can't play 5 bigs," said coach Mike Budenholzer, according to Hawks' writer KL Chouinard. "Tiago will start playing some of those minutes."

Coach Budenholzer was honest. With Splitter's return coming soon, Tavares may be destined for yet another trip to the D-League.

Bryan Kalbrosky produces digital content for FOXSports.com. For more, follow him on Twitter @BryanKalbrosky.