Alex Poythress #22 of the Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
A look ahead to the future of two-way player Alex Poythress of the Atlanta Hawks after the return of John Collins and Justin Anderson.
The Atlanta Hawks signed Alex Poythress to a contract back on August 20th. The deal, a two-way contact, allows Poythress to spend 45 days in Atlanta, and he can split time with the Erie BayHawks of the G-League.
Those 45 days are running out quick, and since the start of Erie’s training camp, which began on October 23rd (when the 45 days start counting), he’s been with the Hawks for all 28 days, as of November the 11th.
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The Hawks will have a tough decision coming up, as they must decide whether to convert Poythress’ contract to a full-season one and keep him on the roster until the offseason or send him down to the G-League. Because the Hawks are running out of roster spots and also because he hasn’t been playing lights-out, the decision will be a difficult one.
In the 13 games he’s appeared in for the Hawks, the former Kentucky Wildcat has averaged 15 minutes a game, which ranks 11th on the team. He made his second career start last Saturday against his former team, the Pacers, which also marked the return of John Collins from injury.
Collins will undoubtedly win back the starting job as soon as he’s ready for 30 minutes or so a game. In his wake the Hawks have run three players out at the four spot: Vince Carter, Omari Spellman and Poythress. Collins does have the ability to play the center spot, but the Hawks already have three centers who get solid playing time.