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Report: Hawks to sign D-Leaguer Jarell Eddie to 10-day contract

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

Having clinched the NBA's first playoff spot on Tuesday night and built a seemingly insurmountable 10-game lead for first place in the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks are looking to fill their one empty roster spot as they head into the stretch run. 

The spot, vacated when Adreian Payne was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves last month, will be filled for at least the next 10 days by D-League swingman Jarell Eddie, according to RealGM's Shams Charania

The 23-year-old Eddie, who went undrafted out of Virginia Tech last year, signed a training camp deal with the Hawks in the summer, but was released after playing in three preseason games. He's spent the season with the Austin Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs' D-League affiliate. 

He hasn't exactly set the world on fire - he averaged 11.9 points and 3.3 rebounds with Austin, and somehow shot just 32.9 percent on two-pointers in his senior season with the Hokies - but he's developed into a fine 3-point marksman. 

He's knocking down 42.2 percent of his long-range attempts this season, and won the D-League's 3-point contest at All-Star Weekend. His time in the Spurs' system should make him well-suited to the basketball ethos in Atlanta. 

Eddie could get a chance to see some decent run if the Hawks continue resting their starters in the season's final weeks to stay fresh for the playoffs. With the aforementioned 10-game buffer separating them from the rest of the conference, they can afford to be frugal with their starters' minutes.

The 10-day contract is expected to be made official on Thursday, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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