Atlanta Hawks: Etan Thomas on ’short list’ for Hawks
Hawks interested in Thomas.
Jorge Sierra at HoopsHype.com reports the Hawks are close to signing free agent center Etan Thomas. Hawks assistant general manager Dave Pendergraft confirmed the team had Thomas in for a workout but said Thomas is one of a handful of free agents the Hawks are considering.
“He’s on a very, very short list,” Pendergraft said. “We were pleased with the workout.”
Pendergraft declined to comment on the other candidates for Atlanta’s 13th roster spot. But he said the team likes its options and is “not in a leftover situation” in its search for another center.
“We are very satisfied with who we’ve got under contract and we are looking to see who can accentuate that other position,” Pendergraft said.
Thomas played for the Wizards when Hawks coach Larry Drew was on Washington’s staff. Thomas averaged 14 minutes in 23 games for Oklahoma last season after injuries limited him to 26 games for Washington in 2008-09. He missed the 2007-08 season after undergoing open-heart surgery and has played more than 50 games just three times in eight seasons.
Listed at 6-foot-10 and 260 pounds, Thomas is known as a tough, physical post player who plays with high effort. But his numbers at 82games.com from last season and 2008-09 show that opposing centers lately have been productive against Thomas. Thomas’ block percentage, rebounding percentage and defensive rating have slipped in the last two years.
Thomas has the reputation for being a team leader, though he famously got into multiple fights with former Wizards teammate Brendan Haywood.
– It’s still possible forward Pape Sy will join the Hawks for 2010-11. Sy is set to report to camp for French club Le Havre but the Hawks and Sy’s representative are still talking to Le Havre about a buyout of the final year of Sy’s contract.
Atlanta selected Sy in the second round of the draft in June.
MC
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271 comments Add your comment
Bob
August 29th, 2010
11:06 pm
ha ha
SteveW
August 29th, 2010
11:19 pm
Najeh – I would say Gasol, Bynum, or Odom could play center – Odom is long
Big Ray
August 29th, 2010
11:58 pm
Northcyde
August 29th, 2010
2:32 pm
I see Big Ray was thinking the exact same thing I was about that comment.
Yep.
Big Ray
August 30th, 2010
12:02 am
LOL.
Y’all quit messin’ with Ken Strickland. He can’t help himself. Ever since Woody left, he’s been in a state of absolute euphoria, in which ownership, management, and anybody else related to the Hawks can do no wrong.
Grandad
August 30th, 2010
12:48 am
Najeh
“If the Hawks’ 7-10 players were better, we wouldn’t have to worry so much about the 11-13. More specifically, if the Hawks’ 2nd string big men were better, we wouldn’t have to worry so much about the 3rd string big men.”
Once again you have proved my point.
We are not going to improve positions:
1-9 @ “Big Lots” / just to change the analogy.
Picking up FA’s now whether it be:
Etan(no ‘h’), Kwame, or Josh Boone.
No use fretting.
Lockeroom leaders are more important 11-13
than young athletes that will not play,
will not bring anything to the team,
[except attitude & or dissension]
will not understand role therefore won’t
take practice serious.
Besides Etan is exceptionally intelligent.
Another plus.
Now back to my point.
In the rotation – numbers 8-10,
how do we improve?
Marv, Bibby, Mo???
Trade bait.
I’ve been saying all along we must improve
and it will have to (must come) in the form
of a trade.
The three above alone will not be enough to
entice any team to trade in and of themselves
which is why Sund must decide which additional
player becomes the condiment to improve the
trade to suit the other teams taste.
One additional thought;
as previously stated, Pape sy in my opinion,
jumps into the rotation if they figure out
how to bring him over.
doc
August 30th, 2010
1:41 am
Odin can’t do anything consistently much less play center. No brains, guts or no heart. Probably one of the most talented since Coleman to do lessxwith it. Attest would be a better center than him .
Rev in Tampa
August 30th, 2010
5:36 am
@-Grandad – “which is why Sund must decide which additionalplayer becomes the condiment to improve the trade to suit the other teams taste”
An appetizing use of metaphor. I’m eating it up!!!
Pffft
August 30th, 2010
6:58 am
So this Etan guy has an agent named SteveW? The Hawks go bold in free agency and come up with … a 6-10 heart patient? Yeah, Sund, no way the Hawks are looking at leftovers. Good one.
Pffft
August 30th, 2010
7:01 am
By the way, if Papa Sigh is the next Magic Johnson, why haven’t real teams already snapped him up? Just more flotsam for desperate Hawks fans to drool over as if he were a player.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 30th, 2010
7:22 am
Pfft
At least he has a Heart! And, the plus is – it’s been fixed.
And, he’s not afraid to pay and bang, which is really ironic because
We blogged a whole week last season about the team not having what?
You guessed it – HEART!
drmaryb (*_*)
August 30th, 2010
7:34 am
doc
You’re spot on!
Dereck Coleman and Kwame Brown IMO are two of the laziest NBA players with size and no heart. Coleman made 78M and didn’t do a darned thang to earn one dime. He wouldn’t even take a shower to go to NY and meet with Stern re: disciplinary actions. He showed up in a sweat suit and sneakers, he didn’t even bother the brush his teeth and comb his hair!
Oden reminds me of Sam Bowie aslo of Portland:
Always, always, always injured! Never played a full season, ever.
Portland picked Bowie at #1 over Jordan?
At least, as of yet, CP3 hasn’t won anything and is often injured -
Or, the Hawks would be the Portland of the NBA, by passing on CP3 and
Deron Williams (the better guard) when we had a glaring need for PG and picked Marvin instead, or was it Shelden?
Anyway, we missed twice on a franchise PG. There is no excuse for that – None!
Will we ever recover from those egregious errors? IDK.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 30th, 2010
7:40 am
Pfft
*Play and bang …
Pffft
August 30th, 2010
7:49 am
Etan Thomas = flotsam
jason
August 30th, 2010
8:12 am
We finally got that center who handle dwight. Have you looked at his biceps. And he known for his lowpost defense. All he has to do is to be healthy and i think we have a chance top the ECF
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
8:15 am
We are worried because we know that Al Horford playing center is out of position for him. He’s a power forward based on his height and abilities. Hawks have him at center. We fans were hoping they would not sign Joe Johnson to the current overpaid contract (no other team offered half as much) so they could sign a true bonerfido center and play Horford at PF. Copeche ? Now they are in the alleys trying to sign a “body” to play 8 minutes per game. Yeah, who even cares…
vava74
August 30th, 2010
8:27 am
drmaryb,
Coleman had a good excuse for not combing his hair when he met Stern… unless you were talking about his body hair…
Fresh
August 30th, 2010
8:36 am
From Realgm.com:
Crawford’s Agent, Hawks To Meet This Week
Aug 29, 2010 8:06 PM EST
The agent for Hawks guard Jamal Crawford, Aaron Goodwin, is set to meet with Atlanta general manager Rick Sund this week to discuss a contract extension, according to sources.
Crawford is entering the final year of his contract and there have been reports that he’ll request a trade if he’s not given a long-term deal.
He is the only player among Atlanta’s core that isn’t signed for the next few years.
http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68899/20100829/crawfords_agent_hawks_to_meet_this_week/
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
9:00 am
BIG RAY-You’re absolutely correct when it comes to the euphoria I felt when Woodson wasn’t rehired and LDrew was hired to replace him. But the idea that I’m satisfied with everything Sund and the ASG have done is wrong. I’ve just taken the position that crying and whining about what’s been done, or hasn’t been done, is a waste of time.
Just like all of the other teams, the Hawks have to go into battle with what they have, which ain’t bad, not what they coulda, shoulda, woulda had. If we get more consistent and efficient production from JJ, Smoove, Horford, Marvin, Zaza, JaCrawford and Teague, along with JPowell, JoCrawford and Evans, how can we not be a much improved team?
LDrew was chosen to replace Woodson specifically to get more consistency and efficiency out of our returning roster, while using his familiarity to minimize the changes and adjustments players, coaches, and the organization, will have to go through. Boston finished 3gms behind the Hawks last yr, and I just don’t see them making those 3 gms up, plus our internal improvement, just by signing the 2 Oneal’s to replace KPerkins and RWallace. Plus, they’re a yr older and far more fragile.
I don’t see Milwaukee making up last yrs 7gm difference, plus our internal improvement, just by signing CMaggette, resigning JSalmons, and returning ABogat and NRedd. And how can anyone say adding CBoozer and KKorver, 2 players notorious for their lack of DEF, to their starting lineup, along with this bench additions, can make up last yrs 12 gm difference, plus our internal improvement?
I’m not even sold on Miami as a threat to surpass us. They have some serious chemistry and adjustment issues, both player, team and organization wise, to overcome before they can replace Cleveland as the beast in the East. I can see adding RJefferson to Orlando’s starting lineup making VCarter even more erratic and inconsistent. After all, RJefferson did have issues adjusting to TDuncan, TParker and Manu.
I guess where I differ is I see all of the positives for the Hawks, and how they will overcome the negatives, while others see all of the positives for the other teams and none of their negatives. How long have we been hearing how the Hawks can never win anything because our starting lineup is too undersized, or we’re too undersized at center? Yet, these same whiners have no problem anointing the Heat as the next NBA champions, even though their starting lineup, as well as their front line, is shorter and smaller than ours.
I choose not to waste time blaming Sund for everything that happens, or doesn’t happen, because I have enough sense to know he has to operate within the budget restraints of the ASG, and it’s not his money to spend randomly. I also have enough sense to know Sund and the ASG can’t just make things happen just because they want them to happen, unlike so many of our fantasy basketball fans seem to think. I JUST GO WITH THE FLOW.
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
9:17 am
Has anyone else noticed how the Hawks sudden interest in buying out Pepe Sy’s contract and bringing him over this season has coincided with Jamal Crawford’s demands for a contract extension? With Sy and Jordan Crawford coming off the bench, we might not get the immediate OFF firepower Jamal gives, but they’d give us far more versatility and superior DEF.
yodaddy
August 30th, 2010
9:18 am
i might be crazy but I’m looking squarely at the Denver Nuggets now.
Carmelo Anthony for Jamal Crawford (Exp), Mo Evans (Exp), Zaza Pahculia,Mike Bibby, a few first round draft picks would be GOLDEN.
Atlanta is a star city but haven’t had a SUPERSTAR in sports since Vick and not one in basketball since Dominique Wilkins. His wife would thrive here because plenty of celebs live here and there’s a wealth of opportunities.
Marvin Williams would be the 6th Man where he would excel. Three Bonafide All-Stars that could easily matchup with Miami’s big three. Joe Johnson, Al Horford & Carmelo vs. LeBron, Bosh & Wade ??? We could beat those guys.
I don’t know how the contracts would matchup but some combination of those 4 plus some draft picks could get us Carmelo and some bench player. With those additions to the Nuggets they may still be able to make the playoffs this year and then after the season Crawford and Evans would come off their books (roughly 13 mill).
Teague eases into the starting PG role where all that would be expected of him would be to defend and not turn the ball over while developing. They sign Etan Thomas to battle with Dwight and provide some resistance occasionally. Carmelo takes the pressure off of Joe Johnson to perform.
That’s my optimism for the day. Don’t know how plausible this scenario would be but it sounds good.
Hmmm
August 30th, 2010
9:55 am
Ken, I think u mean Quinten Richardson? Jefferson Re-upped w/the spurs.
yodaddy, I like it but the Nuggs want some youth. Swap Marvin out for zaza in that deal. I doubt they’d take Bibby but you never know.
vava74
August 30th, 2010
9:57 am
yodaddy,
Denver will be looking for more than just expiring contracts.
You would need to throw in Marvin to make the offer at least interesting.
Anything less than Jamal + Marvin would be offensive (and even that may still be).
drmaryb (*_*)
August 30th, 2010
10:08 am
VaVa74
LOL! i thought the carpet matched the drapes …
OK you got me there – he was bald. ROF. But, he was lazy.
-giggles-
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
10:24 am
HMMM-you’re correct, and thanks for the correction. I don’t know how I got the 2 mixed up. I’m not certain QRichardson will be able to beat out JPetrius for the starting SF position. His production last yr as a starter for Miami didn’t even match MBarnes’ overall production.
Rufus1
August 30th, 2010
10:28 am
Jamal=Korver No DEFENSE= 5mil a year
The Hawks will play a lot less “STREET BALL” this year, so his numbers will decrease to about 10-12pts a game.
5mil a year is enough.
GeeMack
August 30th, 2010
10:33 am
Ken Stickland & northcyde
The Suns may have missed the playoffs that season, but they still had a winning record. As a matter of fact I think had 2 more loses than the Hawks.
Ken you are correct the Shaq experiment blew up their faces, however my point still stands. That style win regular season games, but not championships.
D’antoni has tried the same system in NY without the same results because Nash, Amare, and Merrion are missing.
I think the strategies and planning from the old coaching regime was detrimental to the alot of the challenges the Hawks faced.
I also think a first year head coach is under alot of pressure to continue to move this team forward without adding piecies to the puzzle. They are not giving a far shake to be successful next year with the changes to the teams we are chasing (Magic, Celtics & they new Cavs..Miami.
GeeMack
August 30th, 2010
10:37 am
Ken Strickland
Welcome back to the blog. I pray things continue to go well for you.
Rufus1
August 30th, 2010
10:37 am
Jamal’s Money
Jamal wants Ginobili money…LOl, GINO is a fierce defender and a cluth scorer.
Jamal wants JTerry money…Lol, Mark Cuban is the AL Davis of owners when it comes to spending money stupidly.
Jamal wants Ben Gordon…Lol, I bet the Piston’s wish they could get a “Mulligan” on that deal.
None elite scorers who don’t play defense are worth about 5-7mil a year.
GeeMack
August 30th, 2010
10:43 am
yodaddy
Denver would hang up in your face with trade. If the Hawks don’t want Marvin’s new contract and low productivity why Denver?
If you gave them Jamal and Josh or Al they would listen. Nobody wants marvin and his 5 year deal, especially not for Melo.
yodaddy
August 30th, 2010
10:46 am
Marvin, Jamal, and some draft picks for 1 year of Carmelo??
Or even a combo of Marvin, Jamal, Bibby, Mo Evans, Zaza and draft picks (Those are all we can offer) for Carmelo & Billups? Zaza isn’t an old player either he’s like 26.
Let’s do it and take a chance. I like Marvin Williams…I don’t think he’s a bad player at all just drafted too high. Plus he’s still only what 24??? I like Zaza Pachulia as well but if we can get Melo then I would pull that trigger.
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
10:47 am
What’s with all of this CAnthony obsession? Why would the ASG gut the core of our team, give up future draft picks, go over the salary cap and pay a luxury tax, and take on another max contract just to rent him for a yr? If the trade was made, and assuming he’d want to resign with the Hawks when his contract expired, he’d just make the same salary demands he’s now making with Denver.
Signing him would also hinder our efforts and ability to resign AHorford. I know the idea of signing CAnthony sounds good to a lot of you, but it wouldn’t be advisable for the long term financial future of the team. Signing him certainly wouldn’t satisfy those fans who insist that Horford is UNDERSIZED, OR A NATURAL PF PLAYING OUT OF POSITION, OR THE ONE’S CLAIMING OUR FRONTLINE IS ALREADY UNDERSIZED. At 6′8″, wouldn’t adding him make us even more UNDERSIZED?
Rev in Tampa
August 30th, 2010
10:49 am
Who’s saying Sy is the next Magic?
Now that the Hawks direction is starting to be firmed up, I am becoming more firm in my enthusiasm for Ken Strictland’s insistance that the Hawks are building their team to make other teams match up with them.
I really wanted the quality 7′, but now that all that all the center slots have been filled (with questionable quality), I’m willing to take Drew more seriously when he speaks of athleticism, character, and defensive responsibility.
Within that context, I understand Grandad’s enthusiasm for Pape Sy. He is athletic and, from what I saw and heard from the summer league, a very good defender. Obviously he is not Magic nor ever will be, but he is raw athletic talent. Reminds me of what people were saying about Josh Smith. How’s he working out for the Hawks?
Besides we need another Small Forward.
yodaddy
August 30th, 2010
10:57 am
GeeMack
I don’t think they will be getting equal value back for Carmelo. The only way we would even sniff trading Al or Josh would be in Melo was signed and then traded.
As is, he only has one year left on his contract and he’s unrestricted and will not resign. Jamal & Marvin & future picks is plenty for Carmelo Anthony at this juncture. With the contracts they may have to give us another player too…some end of the bench scrub.
But like I said this is just optimism on my side.
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
11:08 am
GEEMACK-thanks my friend. While I understand what you mean, you can’t say that style doesn’t win championships, because teams that win the most championships have a definite style. There was the SHOWTIME style Lakers, the Pistons were successful with their BAD BOY style, the Bulls and Lakers have been successful with their TRAINGLE style of OFF.
The Spurs haven’t changed their DELIBERATE FUNDAMENTAL style of play, and they’ve been pretty successful. The Celtics have maintain a tradition using a certain Celtic style of play. Even D’Antonio’s style was only an injury to JJ one yr, and an injury to Amare another yr, from possibly winning 2 NBA titles.
Almost any OFF/DEF style can succeed if you have the players to execute it properly and consistently, and the HC to keep it all functioning properly. The biggest problem with the Hawks under Woodson was his unwillingness to commit to a definitive style that was consistently effective and best suited our talent. We won because our players were able to succeed INSPITE OF, RATHER THAN BECAUSE OF.
yodaddy
August 30th, 2010
11:13 am
Ken Strickland
If we sign the behemoth that is Etan Thomas then it all falls into place.
We would dump the unwanted contracts/headaches (Jamal,Bibby, Marvin), give up insignificant draft picks (late first rounders) and upgrade at SF. Not to mention bring some excitement and enthusiasm to the team and city. It would be no luxury tax because the contracts would matchup.
If Carmelo doesn’t want to come back here…that’s 15 million we can use on Al Horford next offseason.
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
11:23 am
Signing Thomas for $3 million to play 12 minutes per game and score 2 points is like me overpaying a guy $1,000 to wash my car when its a $20 max job.
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
11:25 am
Melo with JJ & Horford would give you three scorers. I’m guessing you’d rather have Crawford than Melo ? None of Hawks draft picks have panned out except J.Smith & Horford over the past 15 years. So trading a pick isn’t trading gold.
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
11:26 am
Jason Terry (I forgot) was pretty good but not a Hawk now.
Carwash union
August 30th, 2010
11:26 am
$1,000 is a reasonable wage for a wash.
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
11:27 am
Bibby & Marvin are wasted roster spots. They both are 75 % over paid based on their production.
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
11:28 am
How is a 3rd string center worth over $200,000 a year ? These NBA economics are sick !
GeeMack
August 30th, 2010
11:48 am
yodaddy
Exactly I would only do 1 of our core players if he signs the extention.
joemoedee
August 30th, 2010
11:56 am
“last season LA Lakers: *World Champions*
end of bench;”
Look at the Lakers starting 5, now look at the Hawks. Now look back at Lamar Odom, and look back at the Hawks. Look at Kobe, now look at Joe Johnson. See the rings on Kobe’s fingers? He’s a horse.
Comparing what the Lakers need 10-12 on their bench to what the Hawks need is just laughable considering the level of talent 1-9 on each team.
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
12:15 pm
YODADDY/ROBDAWG08-Like I said, trading for CAnthony sounds good and all, but it’s not going to happen. I believe Camelo’s annual salary is higher than JJ’s, and insufficient DEF, not OFF, is what ailed the Hawks most the last 2yrs. And you can’t say he improves your DEF.
Apparently none of you have been paying attention, or you’d have noticed there hasn’t been ANY rumors or mention of MWilliams or MBibby in trade discussions, either by the Hawks or any other team. THIS ISN’T FANTASY LEAGUE BASKETBALL, so stop getting angry at Sund and the ASG for not fulfilling your trade or basketball fantacies.
The organization has already committed to returning 10 of last yrs 12 man roster. THE HAWKS AREN’T GOING TO MAKE ANY BLOCKBUSTER TRADE(S), AT LEAST NOT BEFORE THIS YRS TRADE DEADLINE, SO GET OVER IT PEOPLE.
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
12:23 pm
YODADDY/ROBDAWG08-Like I said, trading for CAnthony sounds good and all, but it’s not going to happen. I believe Camelo’s annual salary is higher than JJ’s, and insufficient DEF, not OFF, is what ailed the Hawks most the last 2yrs. And you can’t say he improves your DEF.
Apparently none of you have been paying attention, or you’d have noticed there hasn’t been ANY rumors or mention of MWilliams or MBibby in trade discussions, either by the Hawks or any other team. THIS ISN’T FANTASY LEAGUE BASKETBALL, so stop getting angry at Sund and the ASG for not fulfilling your trade or basketball fantasies.
The organization has already committed to returning 10 of last yrs 12 man roster. THE HAWKS AREN’T GOING TO MAKE ANY BLOCKBUSTER TRADE(S), AT LEAST NOT BEFORE THIS YRS TRADE DEADLINE, SO GET OVER IT PEOPLE.
yodaddy
August 30th, 2010
12:58 pm
Ken Strickland
All this is hypothetical. I didn’t throw out some crazy trade.
If the Hawks were serious they would explore that trade or something similar because Carmelo (28 ppg) wants out and Crawford (18 ppg) wants out. Stranger things have happened.
Regardless of what you think of Carmelo, when motivated like the Olympics, is a superior defender to Marvin Williams. He’s a better player period. Obtaining Carmelo Anthony would make the Hawks contenders for real. Right now we are on the border between elite and contender. They would have a Big 4 with Carmelo.
The point is it isn’t likely but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. This thought only came about after Jamal Crawford basically demanded a trade. So trading him and another of our contracts for someone who is also on the trading block is not too crazy.
terrell
August 30th, 2010
1:09 pm
All of these so called short lists, and nobody ever signs on the dotted lines. lol!
JoJo the Godfather
August 30th, 2010
1:12 pm
Jamal Crawford should be traded for any long term asset (young player, draft pick, etc…)…This team picked up 6 more wins with him having statistically the best year of his career…His 31 minutes can be given to Teague, Jo Crawford, Mo Evans & Marvin Williams…Evans & Williams shot a comparable or better shooting % than Crawford…Neither can get their shot off as easily, but supposedly our new offense will cure that…Use him to get some depth at SF & PG.
Etan Thomas An Option For Hawks « TheUpperCardNetwork.com
August 30th, 2010
1:15 pm
[...] Assistant General Manager Dave Pendergraft confirmed to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, that Thomas was on a short list of players they were considering adding. Thomas was brought in for [...]
terrell
August 30th, 2010
1:24 pm
So Melo gets motivated for the Olympics, but not for the Nuggets? Hmm???