New forward Windler already sees how he can fit into system

He says he’ll feel at home with Atlanta, in team’s fast style.

NEW YORK — The Hawks added a new face to their roster Monday and he already sees how he can fit right in.

On the final day NBA teams could add players to their rosters on two-way contracts, the Hawks signed small forward Dylan Windler. The 27-year-old Indianapolis native comes to the Hawks fresh off a two-way stint with the Lakers, who waived him Saturday.

Still out in Los Angeles, Windler’s agent gave him a heads up, and shortly after that the Hawks showed inter- est in signing him. By the end of the day, they finalized the deal and Windler had to hop on a cross-country flight to meet the Hawks in New York on Tuesday.

Though Windler, who will wear No. 20, joined the team 24 hours before its matchup against the Knicks, the players welcomed him wi h wideopen arms at the shootaround ahead of the game.

“It’s been good, so far,” Windler said. “Yeah, it’s a lot of new faces very quickly. It’s obviously part of the business, switching teams. But everybody’s been super welcoming to me.”

Though he has had just one chance, so far, to absorb the Hawks’ system, he already saw ways that his skills could fit. Hawks coach Quin Snyder empha- sizes spacing and decisive ball movement to find the high percentage shot.

Windler, who shot 37.5% in 42 appearances in the G League, came into the NBA known as a shooter who thrived coming off screens or floating to the corners to get open shots. He has a quick release and could do well in the fast pace Sny- der wants the Hawks to use.

“Just from the little bits I’ve seen and playing against the Hawks from time to time, seeing coach Quin’s system, I think it’s a system that I fit right into,” he said. “A lot of 3s up, run, good spacing, crash the offensive glass, prioritize next possessions.”

He also has no worries that he’ll feel right at home in the city of Atlanta, having lived four hours away in Nash- ville. Windler played colle- giately at Belmont for four years and set up a few roots there. But with Atlanta set to be home for at least the next couple of months, he can’t wait to explore the city.

lanta has got a lot going on and obviously going to games, they got good energy,

od crowd, good fan base,” he said.

SARAH STIER/GETTY IMAGES/TNS 2022 Dylan Windler (left), who played with the Cavaliers in 2022, came into the NBA known as a shooter who thrived coming off screens or floating to the corners for open shots. His quick release could do well in the fast pace the Hawks aim to use.