Patterson ‘home’ on 10-day contract

Lamar Patterson is back in a place he calls home.

The Hawks signed the guard/forward to a 10-day contract Sunday for a reunion. Patterson played for the Hawks last season. The move became official after Patterson passed a physical.

The move gives the Hawks a full 15-man roster after the team did not re-sign Gary Neal to a second 10-day contract, after his expired Friday.

“It feels good to be back,” Patterson said. “It feels like home. This is home. Everyone was welcoming.”

The 10-day contract expires Feb. 7 and Patterson will be available for five games with the Hawks. The team can choose to re-sign him to a second 10-day contract and then would have to sign him for the remainder of the season.

The Hawks obtained Patterson on draft night in 2014 after he was taken in the second round by the Bucks at No. 48 overall. He played one season in Turkey for Tofas Bursa. He joined the Hawks the following season and appeared in 35 games and averaged 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.3 minutes.

The Hawks waived Patterson this summer and he was claimed by the Kings. “He is obviously somebody who knows our stuff,” coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He’s shown an ability to be a point guard and a wing. He’s been playing well in the D-League. He is a unique, special passer. I think he’s been working on his shot.”