Atlanta Hawks: Shaq open to joining Hawks (UPDATE: Shaq hasn’t heard from Hawks)
Shaq provides muscle but also potential headaches.
Tim Povtak of FanHouse reports that the Hawks have offered Shaquille O’Neal a two-year contact starting at the full mid-level exception. That figure is pegged to the league average salary and won’t be known until the league completes its audit this week but should come in at about $5.5 million for the first season.
I can confirm at least the Shaq half of this story: He’d be interesting in playing for the Hawks, according to a person with knowledge of his free-agent desires. But a person familiar with Atlanta’s plans said it’s doubtful the team has made such an offer this early in the free-agent process. (UPDATE: Shaq’s agent, Perry Rogers, says he hasn’t heard from the Hawks.) The Hawks are seeking a bulky center, and ASG is said to be willing to use the mid-level exception and pay some luxury tax if necessary to do so, but so far it doesn’t appear the Hawks have decided whom else to target after re-signing J.J.
Shaq, 38, just finished the least productive of his 18 seasons. He’s certainly a more physical deterrent in the post than anyone the Hawks have now, and his blocks and rebounds numbers are still pretty good. But Zaza’s production actually compares decently when adjusted for minutes and when accounting for Shaq’s much higher usage rate. And if Shaq were to play a major role for the Hawks it would mean less minutes in the lineup for Al and/or Smoove, who are more effective players.
If the Hawks are looking to make a buzz as Potvak suggests (”They also could use O’Neal’s star appeal to help create some much needed interest in the franchise,” he writes) then Shaq can still do that. But they should be careful what they wish for in that regard. The Hawks are looking to create a more serious and dedicated culture for the team with a first-year coach, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that Shaq probably isn’t going to help that effort. His approach is that of an 18-year vet with four rings and a nonchalant view of the regular season.
If Shaq came to Atlanta, it wouldn’t be long before he’s telling teammates and media that the Hawks simply need to be dominant at home and .500 on the road and everything will be OK. When L.D. says the Hawks need to play with more energy and effort every night to make it a habit, Shaq at some point would suggest the Hawks don’t really need to worry until March. When the Hawks lose games they shouldn’t and slide down the standings, Shaq would shrug and say they just need to hold onto homecourt advantage for the first round and everything will be cool. And if Shaq becomes unhappy with his playing time, then I don’t need to tell you Shaq is not going to be quiet about it.
If the Hawks signed Shaq, he would instantly become the biggest presence in the locker room, the guy with the most cred and the biggest voice. In addition to deciding if Shaq could still help them on the floor, the Hawks would have to be sure this team is ready to handle his off-court influence.
MC
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656 comments Add your comment
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
10:57 pm
@ Geemack: well said. in fact, you said it better than me because now some of my blog people seem to think i have something against Shaq. it’s not that, it’s just that i can see the potential problems.
Geemack
July 5th, 2010
10:57 pm
MC
I’m convinced the relentless & competative nature of Kobe & D-Wade was able to offset some Shaq’s antics. Eventhough he is one of my favorite players ever at this point in his career I think he hurts the Hawks more than help them.
hawkville
July 5th, 2010
10:58 pm
U cannot compare Shaq and Za Za. Shaq received touches in an offensive set, Za Za was an after though unless it was a bad play. I will agree that he needs to be better with the ball around the rim, practice and coaching would do the job. I like Shaq but he has seen better days. Za Za and Al played good together, one n the post and the other ready to shoot that 15 foot jumper. Spacing. U guys are talking about trading a 24-25 year old with talent for what reason. Remember who coached the Hawks.
The key for the Hawks is J. Smith, he needs to play small forward, hopefully he is working on his game. He shot the ball better than M. Williams and played better. Joe, Josh, Al
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
10:59 pm
ClassicHawks
July 5th, 2010
10:53 pm
AL HORFORD IS THE ONLY PLAYER ON THE HAWKS ROSTER WHO IS… (UNTOUCHABLE!!)
LMAO thats the same thing al says who ever penetrates into the paint. They are untouchable. Trade the Defenseless one.
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
10:56 pm @ Mike Cunningham.
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
10:59 pm
@ Knowledge: because it’s not just that you are saying you want Al traded. you are saying that he (and I) already knows this and he’s cool with it. and you linked to some thread about a fantasy basketball trade, which is just weird.
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:00 pm
Please we need al’s career 12 pts LOL
Reid Adair
July 5th, 2010
11:00 pm
I’m sure some folks will try to tell us that this will put the Hawks over the top, but they’re wrong. Shaq couldn’t help LeBron James win a title. How on Earth is he going to help Joe Johnson (ugh) win one?
To pay the luxury tax by acquiring Shaquille O’Neal is nothing but ASG throwing their money away.
I Heart Atlanta
July 5th, 2010
11:00 pm
M.C. Please easy me and tell me Josh is really not getting shopped around……. He is just about to enter his prime, and just beginning to show maturity ……
tidog
July 5th, 2010
11:00 pm
Has the interest in Childerss by the Wizards cooled ? A Ja velle McGhee in a deal for Childress could benefit all parties. I’m just saying.
ClassicHawks
July 5th, 2010
11:00 pm
@ MOBOMAN. JOSH IS NOT IN THE SAME BREATH AS RODMAN. JOSH IS A GREAT SHOT BLOCKER, EXPLOSIVE ON THE BREAK, GOOD REBOUNDER, BUT IF YOU ARE PAYING HIM THE KIND OF MONEY THAT WE ARE WE NEED FOR HIM TO SCORE AND WIN US GAMES WHEN THEY COUNT. RODMAN WAS A GREAT ROLE PLAYER, JOSH IS EXPECTED TO BE THE THIRD OPTION ON A PLAYOFF TEAM. HE IS A TWEENER. 6′8′ POWER FORWARD WHO CAN NOT HIT A 8 FOOT JUMP SHOT. RODMAN COULD GUARD A CENTER, PF, OR SF AND WAS DIESEL STRONG. IF WE HAD RODMAN IN PLACE OF JOSH SMITH WE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER OFF!!
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
11:01 pm
@ JSSmoove: “Are the Wizards still interested in Childress? If so who could the Hawks get from the Wizards in a sign and trade? Also, any possibility of getting Al Jefferson this offseason?”
yes, they are still interested as far as i know. the Hawks won’t get anyone for Chills if he signs an offer sheet they can’t/won’t match. they also could end up renouncing him because if he accepts the $4.8 mil qualifying offer they will almost assuredly be in the tax.
JeJe
July 5th, 2010
11:02 pm
FIRE SUND
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:02 pm
Fair enough mike. Absolutely lets get a center, and if Al is going to be traded so be it. He cant move Josh out of his spot because Josh is an top 3 power forward which Al is not. Move Al to the 3 since his only skill is that 10-15ft face up shot.
Gainesville#1
July 5th, 2010
11:02 pm
He will get the hawks to the finals. He doesn’t have to play big minutes durring the season.
Tech Sucks
July 5th, 2010
11:03 pm
Why don’t you use capitalization?
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
11:03 pm
@ I Heart Atlanta: i don’t think Smoove is being shopped but i’m sure they’d listen to offers, if only because he’s probably their most valuable trade asset outside of Al (who isn’t going anywhere since he’s still on his rookie scale).
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:04 pm
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
11:01 pm
Good information. Thanks and good question JSSmoove. Nice name too!
Mike is back
July 5th, 2010
11:04 pm
ClassicHawks, is right…he got four rings…and I think he would be the one somebody that could actually have a positive impact on Josh.
No comparison Zaza versus Shaq. I take Shaq hands down. Now that Kobe has five rings…I think you will see a different Shaq. Who ever gets Shaq this season…they will get a more determine and focus player…because he knows there only a few select team…that can get him to the big dance.
If he is coming to ATL…its only for one reason…he thinks he can win a RING. People thought he was out of his mind when he went to Miami.
Yes, it’s for pub, and to fill up seats in Phillips…however what’s wrong with that…we are the Hawks…we can use all the pub we can get…how else can we generate enough revenue to bring a marquee players. lol
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
11:05 pm
@Tech Sucks: “Why don’t you use capitalization?”
saves time
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:05 pm
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
11:03 pm
“@ I Heart Atlanta: i don’t think Smoove is being shopped but i’m sure they’d listen to offers, if only because he’s probably their most valuable trade asset outside of Al (who isn’t going anywhere since he’s still on his rookie scale).”
Could that change if they re-do Al’s contract for a sign and trade?
Andre
July 5th, 2010
11:05 pm
Shaqlanta? I like the ring of it!
Rod
July 5th, 2010
11:06 pm
We need a starting center because Horford needs to play the forward position..
ClassicHawks
July 5th, 2010
11:06 pm
@ KNOWLEDGE, YOU SURE U HAVE ANY? HAVE YOU WATCHED AL HORFORD PLAY BRUH? MAYBE 4 BETTER PF, CENTERS IN THE EAST BETTER AND HE’S ONLY 23. DUDE IS TOP 5 IN HAWKS HISTORY ALREADY!! GO GET SOME KNOWLEDGE BRO CUZ IT’S CLEAR YOU ARE MOST DEFINITELY STILL ON THE QUEST!! LOL!! COULDN’T HELP MYSELF…
Really?
July 5th, 2010
11:07 pm
Knowledge quest = the name says it all, you clearly don’t have any….
Al is a freakin ALL STAR. Josh should have been too. I’m saying Al shuts him down if they play against each other down the road.
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:07 pm
“IF WE HAD RODMAN IN PLACE OF JOSH SMITH WE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER OFF!!”
Classic example of a brain on drugs!
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:08 pm
Really? LMAO Al aint shutting nobody down!
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
11:09 pm
@ Knowledge: “Could that change if they re-do Al’s contract for a sign and trade?”
sorry, not understanding the question?
ClassicHawks
July 5th, 2010
11:10 pm
AL IS BETTER THAN JOSH SMITH AND HE HAS BEEN IN THE LEAGUE 3 FEWER YEARS.
Chea
July 5th, 2010
11:11 pm
Enter your comments here
ClassicHawks
July 5th, 2010
11:11 pm
AND HE 2 YEARS YOUNGER THAN JOSH…
dll
July 5th, 2010
11:11 pm
this a good move for the hawks. its a marketing move to get fans back. A little old school ted move with mose, niq, doc, john battle, kevin willis, john k, spud webb. This just might work to get some mid level free agents players to come here. The hawks still need to made the bibby and marvin trade to the spurs for tony parker.
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:12 pm
ClassicHawks no problem with the fun on my moniker. Its all good. Im humble. I also appreciate you being a horford fan. Nothing wrong with that. But the dude is a weak defender and very mediocre as a scorer. Having said that I would love it if he could stay around and back up Josh and the new center…
Mr. Cunningham, about the sign and trade question…Is it possible?
DMACK
July 5th, 2010
11:12 pm
Let me understand this scenario…..we signed an 18 yr veteran that has nothing to prove just to disrupt the team chemistry and earn 5 million dollars to pay child support and taxes…..Sounds like a good deal for Shaq and a lousy deal for the HAWKS…..Where was Shaq 10 years ago when the Hawks could have used a dominant center to contend for a championship?
Chea
July 5th, 2010
11:12 pm
Why don’t we pick up AI too? Get him to take Jamal Crawford’s role, and make a last-ditch effort to trade Jamal for a large body.
Then we find someone to take Marvin…
Najeh Davenpoop
July 5th, 2010
11:13 pm
Knowledge Quest, sign-and-trading Horford is only possible next summer, not now.
I Heart Atlanta
July 5th, 2010
11:13 pm
M.C. Thanks for the reply, appreciate it, hopefully they won’t trade him his potential is still sky high. I’m also one of the few who think we shouldn’t trade marvin, i would first like to see how he does in our new offense.
dll
July 5th, 2010
11:13 pm
i could see trade josh. that wonder be a good move
northcyde
July 5th, 2010
11:13 pm
LOL . . well, if the Hawks are going to try to find a center, and are willing to pay some luxury tax . . the guy to get is Shaq, because he’ll put butts in the seats. Brad Miller and Big Z sure isn’t.
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:13 pm
@M.Cunningham
Al’s in the last year of his rookie contract correct? If so can the terms of that contract be changed? i.e. extended? increased in monetary value? extended? signed and then traded?
moboman
July 5th, 2010
11:14 pm
Classic
Not comparing Josh and Rodman. Only saying that Rodman started and was never asked to hit an 8 footer. Josh similarly gives us too much in other areas. Hawks need to find someone else to hit the 8 footer. Its Marvin thats not givin us what we expected.
One of sports’ great myths coming to Atlanta? « ATL malcontent
July 5th, 2010
11:15 pm
[...] Shaq may be coming to the Hawks, 10 years too late. (Remember Moses Malone?) Not only is O’Neal past his prime, but, contrary to the lickspittles in the sports media, he’s not very funny (save for his cameo on “Curb Your Enthusiasm”). And he’s a brat. Having lived in L.A. during the Shaq/Kobe soap opera I can tell you that the former was by far the bigger diva. [...]
Knowledge Quest
July 5th, 2010
11:15 pm
@Davenpoop thanks I was curious.
Billy
July 5th, 2010
11:17 pm
Sign Shaq, what the devil………………………we love those Los Angeles Lakers……………………..
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2010
11:17 pm
@ Najeh: “Knowledge Quest, sign-and-trading Horford is only possible next summer, not now.”
i believe they could sign him to the extension as part of a sign-and-trade by October 31. of course they won’t do it but i think it’s allowed under the rules.
@ Knowlege: the reason i said they won’t trade Al when he’s on his rookie scale isn’t because it’s not allowed, but because he’s a great bargain ($5.4 mil) for at least another year.
dll
July 5th, 2010
11:17 pm
big al and jamal crawford are the rock and backbone of this team right now. forget about josh smith and joe johnson
northcyde
July 5th, 2010
11:18 pm
I’ll repost here what I posted on Hawksquawk:
Shaq’s PER 36 NUMBERS
18.5 ppg
10.3 rebs
1.8 blks
2.3 asst
57%FG
50% FT
Shaq’s defensive stats PER 48 MINUTES . . scroll to the “Production by Position” section
Opponent eFG% . . . 46.8%
Opponent iFG% . . . 47% ( iFG . . . inside FG% . . . Horford’s opponent iFG% at center was 60% . . which is the main complaint about his defense )
Opponent ppg . . . 15.5
Opponent PER . . . 14.2
Those defensive stats would put Shaq in the top 5 defensive centers in the game, behind Howard . . and on par with what Bogut and Mehmet Okur did last year.
Playing FAST is not the key to Atlanta winning anything.
Playing DEFENSE is.
ClassicHawks
July 5th, 2010
11:19 pm
@ KNOWLEDGE. AL HORFORD IS PROBABLY OUR BEST DEFENDER BESIDES JOE. JOSH ONE ON ONE DEFENSE IS JUST OKAY. HE IS SO EXPLOSIVE THAT HE CLEANS UP ALOT OF MISTAKES. AL HORFORD IS A WARRIOR! HE PLAYS CENTERS WHO OUTWEIGH HIM NIGHT IN NIGHT OUT AND HE STILL AVERAGES A DOUBLE DOUBLE IN HIS SLEEP. JOSH SMITH IS VERY INTELLIGENT DEFENDER BUT I JUST FEEL FOR HIM TO BE GREAT HE HAS TO GET A 18 FOOT CONSISTENT JUMPER TO STICK AROUND BECAUSE OF OUR FRONT LINE SIZE AND THE TEAMS WE RUN UP AGAINST IN THE PLAYOFFS. AL HORFORD OFFENSIVE GAME IS POLISHED AND HE COULD GUARD PF’S HE WOULD BE ALL DEFENSIVE. I’M JUST SAYING, AL HORFORD IS A WARRIOR BRUH! JOE THAN AL, THAN JOSH. JOSH KNOWS THIS EVEN THOUGHT HE WANTS SO BAD TO BE JOE’S SIDEKICK! JOSH WORK ON THAT JUMP SHOT BRUH, HIT IT ABOUT 42-44% OF THE TIME AND YOU ARE AVERAGING 20 A GAME AND AT LEAST 8-10 REBOUNDS AND YOU DESERVE AN ALL STAR BERTH, WHICH AL DESERVED MORE LAST YEAR!!
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
July 5th, 2010
11:19 pm
Yeah….lol didnt Shaq bang Gilbert Arenas’ Fiance?
All jokes aside thats some foul stuff if he knew she had a man.
Jeff
July 5th, 2010
11:20 pm
I say sign him — how bad can a mammoth 7-footer with championship experience BE for this current lineup of softies? Might be good to have someone around to make JJ smile a little and challenge Smoove for his stupid play sometimes.
Look, either we sign Shaq, go into next year status quo, or sign some random, irrelevant guy named John Doe to be our center… I’m not impressed with ZaZa as a starter.
Why not make this move? what do we have to lose? The window for this team is about 2 more years anyhow before the roster as we know it gets blown up due to trades, retirements, free agency, etc. I say give it a whirl… who knows, an outspoken guy who provides muscle inside and has championship pedigree might be just what this team needs to push ‘em over the edge and into a conference final.
d.carter
July 5th, 2010
11:20 pm
Shaq brings a legitimate low post scorer for the Hawks, he also is a great passer and will open things up for JJ