4:04pm: The Hawks have confirmed via press release that Splitter will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the 2015/16 season as a result.
3:35pm: Tiago Splitter will be out for the season, having decided to undergo surgery on his ailing right hip, reports Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). The Hawks center hasn’t played since January 31st. It’s too late in the season for the Hawks to apply for a disabled player exception, and Atlanta doesn’t have enough of an injury problem to warrant a hardship exception for a 16th roster spot, so the team has limited means to offset the effect of Splitter’s absence.
The injury leaves the Hawks without an experienced backup at the five spot for Al Horford, who’s been in trade rumors of late. Mike Muscala and Walter Tavares are the team’s only other options on the roster behind Horford, unless coach/executive Mike Budenholzer goes small with either Paul Millsap or Mike Scott playing center.
Atlanta gave up virtually nothing in return to acquire Splitter via trade this past summer. He’s making $8.8MM this season, and next season’s $8.55MM salary is the last on his contract.
They did give up 8 million plus in cap space and did the Spurs a favor in unloading Tiago’s contract which in turn helped the Spurs get Aldridge under contract.