Hawks assign rookie Adreian Payne to D-League
The Atlanta Hawks will try to get rookie forward Adreian Payne some run over the weekend, but not with the NBA club.
The Hawks assigned Payne to the D-League on Thursday. He's expected to play with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants on Friday and Saturday, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Payne, the Hawks' 15th overall selection in this year's draft, has yet to play an NBA minute. He's been on the inactive list in nine of the Hawks’ 10 games, and missed the first five of those games with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
It's unclear whether the Hawks plan to return Payne to the NBA roster after his weekend games with the Mad Ants.
"It’s hard to say right now but I think what I’m very comfortable saying is I do believe in the D-League," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "I believe in taking advantage of opportunities. Young players need to play. If we can play them in our games, that’s probably better, but it’s hard to get everybody in.
"We have a lot of good choices, a lot of good options. If the time is right and it’s appropriate, I very much believe in the D-League."