Adreian Payne

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ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks have acquired a protected future first round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for forward/center Adreian Payne, it was announced today by Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

Payne, 23, was selected with the 15th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Hawks.

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Hawks Acquire Future First-Round Pick From Minnesota

The Atlanta Hawks return 12 players from last year's team, meaning Coach Bud doesn't have to spend much time introducing a brand new system to an entire team as he did before last season.

However, new Hawks Thabo Sefolosha, Kent Bazemore and Adreian Payne have had to learn it on the fly while trying to keep up with their seasoned teammates.

"I'm picking up things every day, it's going well," Sefolosha said. "I just enjoy being on the court with the guys."

Sefolosha is averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21 minutes per game through four preseason games.  He said the system suits his style of play well.

"It's a lot of reading of the game.  I'm very comfortable out there."

Payne said he's trying to improve one game at a time.

"I'm just trying to get better and grow," Payne said. "My teammates are encouraging me, so that's a good thing."

Like Sefolosha, Payne said the flow of the game dictates the system.

"Learning offense, spacing and how Coach Bud wants me to play in the offense," Payne said of what he's trying to learn in the preseason.

Bazemore has played just two games after returning from a foot injury and said he's looking forward to getting more game action.

"As long as you understanding the spacing, it's not too difficult," Bazemore said. "(For me) it'll come with time."

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New Hawks Getting More Comfortable With System

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The Hawks have re-signed power forward Mike Scott (per team policy, contract details were not released). Scott excelled under Coach Mike Budenholzer and made major strides in his second season in the NBA to become an important role player for Atlanta.

He averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game coming off the bench for the Hawks in 18.5 minutes per game. He spent his summer getting in better shape and expanding his range to play more on the perimeter, and it paid off for him in a big way.

Off the bench, Scott became one of the Hawks’ primary offensive weapons with the second unit, and he excelled in the pick-and-pop game. Scott shot 31 percent from three-point range on the season and 48.4 percent on long twos (16 feet to the three point line). His ability to space the floor made him a valuable commodity for Coach Bud and earned him a significant role as one of the first bigs off the bench.

Bringing Scott back gives Atlanta a lot of frontcourt depth for what figures to be a very tight competition for minutes. Scott joins first round pick Adreian Payne, Pero Antic and Mike Muscala as the bench unit behind All-Star Paul Millsap and the returning Al Horford. All six Hawks frontcourt players have the ability to step outside and knockdown perimeter shots as well as run the floor in transition, and with the way Coach Bud likes to space the floor and push the pace, it makes sense that the Hawks have tailored their roster to fit those desires.

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Several current and former Hawks players, executives and even mascots have accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge over the past few weeks.  You can see all of them individually above, but I thought I'd provide a recap of each anyway.  Some are more hilarious than others, but all are very good.

The Atlanta Hawks' majority owner got in on the action, completing the challenge while on a trampoline in Colorado.

Coach Bud accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge from Al Horford.

Muscala accepted the challenge from a few people, and among the folks he challenged was Imagine Dragons drummer and Hawks superfan Dan Platzman.

Teague's Ice Bucket Challenge involved everything you could possibly want...except the ice.  Watch for a Bill Clinton reference.

I'm not sure why you'd want to lean back while having ice water dumped all over you.  Millsap tried that, then quickly sat back up.

A 15-second Instagram video isn't enough to capture the reaction of being drenched with ice cold water, so Schröder documented the feat with two videos.  The second is the more entertaining of the two, and his reaction is priceless.

By far the most painful-looking of the bunch to date.  Adreian...why did you think it would be a good idea to have ice fall on your hairless head from two stories above?  At least it didn't end like this.

When the commissioner challenges you, you have to accept.  Mutombo seemed to be the most unprepared for how cold the water was, judging by his reaction.

The Hawks CEO stepped up and accepted Ryan Cameron's challenge.  Is that a stove pot with ice from the freezer?  Whatever works!  Another must-see reaction.

Harry was first in the Hawks family to accept after being challenged by University of Florida mascot Albert the Gator.  Next time we'll tell him to cool it on the caffeine.

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Hawks Taking Part In Ice Bucket Challenge

Add Paul Millsap to the list of Hawks who have completed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Millsap accepted teammate Al Horford's challenge Monday: