The Atlanta Hawks have found a way to fill their final roster spot left vacant by the Adreian Payne trade last month, at least temporarily. The team officially announced the signing of rookie guard Jarell Eddie to a 10-day contract on Thursday morning.
The 6-foot-7 Virginia Tech product is not a stranger around Philips Arena. Eddie participated in the Hawks' preseason training camp, even playing in three preseason games, before heading to the team's shared D-League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, this season. Eddie has found success in his first professional season, and it's not a complete mystery as to how he will fit into coach Mike Budenholzer's offensive scheme if he sees any playing time.
Eddie is the reigning 3-point Shootout champion in the D-League and is making more than 42 percent of his outside shots this season.
He's averaging 11.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in the process.
The 23-year-old will not likely see much time behind the team's top wing options -- Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, Mike Scott and Kent Bazemore -- but with Thabo Sefolosha still out with an calf injury, Eddie could see some minutes, particularly if shoots well and the team elects to rest players down the stretch of what has been a lopsided Eastern Conference race.
The Hawks currently hold a 10 1/2-game lead in the East over the Bulls, Raptors and Cavaliers.
