The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the third-year (2014-‘15) option on the contract of John Jenkins.

As a rookie last season, Jenkins averaged 6.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 14.8 minutes (.446 FG%, .384 3FG%, .843 FT%), playing in 61 games (two starts).

He ranked fifth among all rookies in three-point percentage, was tied for 18th in scoring and tied for 19th in assists per game. He was Atlanta’s first-round pick (23rd overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft.

The Atlanta Hawks have waived forward Eric Dawson.

Dawson appeared in three preseason contests for the Hawks.

Al Horford did not accompany the Atlanta Hawks for their road game in Dallas and will miss the preseason finale due to a lingering hamstring problem.

The Hawks have a week between the exhibition finale and the regular-season opener against the Mavericks.

Horford played 29 minutes in Tuesday’s game against the Pacers at Philips Arena. He finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Atlanta Hawks have waived James Johnson.

Johnson was the 16th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2009 and has also played with the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.

Royal Ivey and Shelvin Mack are battling for the third-string point guard role on the Atlanta Hawks.

Mike Budenholzer said the Hawks have a "hard" decision on which player to keep.

“It’s a battle," Budenholzer added. "That’s the great part of this training camp and the group that we’ve brought in. There is a lot of competition. Both guys have done well. We are continuing to look at the entire roster and not just the third point guard. Things can change or we can do different things to give us versatility. They’ve both been great and we’ll continue to watch that.”

The Hawks will start Jeff Teague at point guard and bring Dennis Schroder as the backup.

The Atlanta Hawks hired one of the NBA's most respected assistant coaches as their head coach this offseason in Mike Budenholzer.

But Budenholzer was a relative unknown to the public and even to his future players.

"Not at all," said Al Horford when asked if he was previously familiar with Budenholzer before he was hired.

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Cartier Martin.

Martin played in 41 games (three starts) last season for the Washington Wizards, and averaged 6.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.9 minutes.

The training camp roster stands at 18.

The Atlanta Hawks have waived Damien Wilkins, Adonis Thomas and David Lighty.

Danny Ferry has reduced the Hawks' roster to 17.

Gustavo Ayon will miss four to eight weeks after an MRI showed inflammation and a rotator cuff strain.

Ayon suffered the injury in the Atlanta Hawks' preseason loss to the Miami Heat on Monday.

Ayon had a strong summer, winning MVP of the FIBA Americas Championship.

John Jenkins will not make the Atlanta Hawks' preseason road trip to face the Miami Heat and Charlotte Bobcats because of lower back spasms.

Mike Budenholzer said the decision was made as a precaution.

Jenkins believes the injury had started in summer league in July, but he felt 100 percent heading into camp.

"We are just being extra cautious and making sure we keep him healthy and take our time," Budenholzer said. "We want to make sure he is OK."