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
SteveW
August 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
Pffft – Shhhh! – 10% of 1.35m is $135,000.00 – your blowing my cover man.
You should have seen what the Wiz gave me when we signed the 6yr 37.8m contract in ‘04 for with Etan – a good chunk of change.
In all seriousness – Guys who follow these posts know I’ve been screaming for the Hawks to get legit help at SF-C – because both Smoove and Al went public asking for it, and I agree with them from my own observations.
Now that it looks like it’s all just bottom feeder guys – Etan can go toe to toe with Dwight for short stretches, as can Collins. Etan is a defensive specialist from his college days, is removed further from his surgeries, and I think he would be a fine 3-4th string Center.
Statistically he would be our 3rd string C – better than JCollins.
Would I prefer Dampier – yes. Would I have preferred Shaq? Yes. But with Vet Min. guys, he’s probably as good as is left. And I like Josh Boone alot for what he is – but a totally different skill set.
And I think Etan eats Skinner and esp. Elson alive. Ask Brendan Haywood.
3Klub
August 30th, 2010
1:39 pm
Be careful asking to move Jamal. For what it’s worth he is our starting PG. Even if Teague does win that starting spot, and thats not a given, he probably wont be finishing games for us. Jamal is a MAJOR asset to the Hawks who can flat out make things happen. Now if it’s a deal for Carmelo then I’m good with that, but lets not hand over the club to Teague and Jordan Crawford until the prove they can cut it in this league. So for they havn’t.
SteveW
August 30th, 2010
2:14 pm
3Klub – I agree that Jamal’s role at PG is often overlooked in the discussion about him.
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
2:15 pm
The plot is thickening in Denver for Melo trading. In these scenarios, the only way Hawks could participate is in a 3-team trade involving Denver and Houston. The Hawks would unload Bibby and Mo Evans to Houston since they would need a backup PG and possibly a SG after giving up so many assets to Denver for Melo. Bibby’s old coach (Rick Adelman) might see some value in acquiring him as backups to help Billups in the backcourt and reunite. The Hawks would acquire J. R Smith in return and would be a serious upgrade from Mo Evans. Since Smith is an expiring contract as Mo Evan, we could evaluate any chemistry issue after the expiring year. This scenario would also require the Hawks to obtain a vet min PG to replace Bibby.
GeeMack
August 30th, 2010
2:54 pm
The Truth
Or just keep our current team, since bringing in JR Smith don’t make the Hawks better. JR Smith is a problem child, and since a well established coach like Karl can’t control him with Billups as the floor leader. Then a no floor leader, rookie head coached, Hawks team would blow with JR’s attitiude.
JoJo the Godfather
August 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
Somebody break down the Houston/Melo rumor for me…
northcyde
August 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
Truth . . . what do you mean that’s the only way? Crawford + Marvin + 1st is as good of a deal than anything that Houston can offer. It’s certaintly better than the Martin + Jeffries + 1st that the article was citing as the #1 deal that Houston could do.
The thing thats would hold that deal up, are:
- would Denver think they could get more out of Marvin Williams?
- would Atlanta do it, seeing that if they kept Melo more than one year, they’re going to be in big time luxury tax land ( if they also retain Horford )?
Otherwise, Denver is getting a 10 million expiring contract, a 1st round pick, and a solid SF who can also play a little PF.
Those are better than those Houston offers.
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
3:47 pm
GeeMack
Agreed, JR Smith is a problem child. But he would be an expiring short timer that avg 15.4 ppg in 27.7 MP (@ .55 pts/min) last year vs. Mo Evans 5.7 in 16.7 MP(@ .34 pts/min) So Smith is offensively more productive even in the short term. However, the biggest benefit to the Hawks in all of this is not to acquire Smith but to move Bibby and Mo Evans for cap relief.
drmaryb (*_*)
August 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
Well Fellow Bloggers!
Some more breaking newz: Turner settles sale dispute with David McDavid.
The terms of the 281M settlement are not disclosed, but Turner Broadcasting does not want to drag out this seven year dispute any longer.
McDavid originally sued for 450M.
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
3:54 pm
northcyde
I said “that’s the only way” because reports suggest Houston is where Melo wants to go. I’m just being realistic. Melo would have to cooperate to make this work for the Hawks to acquire him. That notion has not been reported yet.
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
4:02 pm
northcyde
Look under The Proposed Deals: Option #5
5. The Rockets get: F Carmelo Anthony, PG Chauncey Billups, and SF J.R. Smith
The Nuggets get: PG Aaron Brooks, SG Kevin Martin, SF Shane Battier, F Jared Jefferies, F Jordan Hill, 2011 or 2012 Draft Pick, Trevor Ariza trade exception, and SG Jermaine Taylor
This is called the “kitchen sink” scenario
ryan
August 30th, 2010
4:07 pm
Can David McDavid purchase the Hawks & Thrashers now that he got a settlement from Ted Turner .
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
4:14 pm
Wow, a 281M settlement! I guess that means layoffs at CNN
terrell
August 30th, 2010
4:31 pm
Robdawg hatin on NBA salaries. Wow! If you were good at basketball, you wouldn’t be saying that shiizz. lol!
terrell
August 30th, 2010
4:34 pm
Truth, if the Rockets acquired Melo, what would they do with Ariza?
terrell
August 30th, 2010
4:35 pm
I cant see Melo going to Houston. It’s NY,NJ or Denver imo.
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
4:39 pm
terrell
“The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired Trevor Ariza from the Houston Rockets in a trade that sends James Posey and Darren Collison to Indiana, Courtney Lee from New Jersey to Houston, and Troy Murphy from Indiana to New Jersey.”
truthspitter
August 30th, 2010
4:42 pm
Well Hawks got there new superstar Pap Sye or whatever. What a joke of a team. This guy is Mario West Jr. and they go through all of this.
http://hoopshype.com/rumors/tag/atlanta_hawks
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
4:49 pm
terrell
“I cant see Melo going to Houston”
Yeah this trade might not happen but Houston is trying to return to their glory days when T. Mack was on the team. They know they’re not contending for a championship with the roster they currently have, so I can see them doing anything to get Melo. However, the wrinkle in all of this is if Denver is willing to put Melo in the western conference to compete against them or not.
The Truth
August 30th, 2010
4:57 pm
Nice find truthspitter
With the Hawks acquiring Pape Sy and possibly Thomas, that should Max the penny pinchers out.
Rufus1
August 30th, 2010
5:57 pm
Hawks Offseason..I am Happy
Big man depth, new coach, new small forward, new offense and the promise that our young PG will get his chance….I can’t complain.
jerrywest
August 30th, 2010
6:09 pm
I bet ASG will make Pepsi pay for the buyout.
jason
August 30th, 2010
6:24 pm
MC do you think Etan Thomas solves our center/bigman problem.
jason
August 30th, 2010
6:28 pm
Yay we got Pape Sy. People were making characteristics of him and teyshaun prince hope he becomes that for us.
jason
August 30th, 2010
6:30 pm
why dont we trade jamal to denver for chauncey billups
Grandad
August 30th, 2010
6:33 pm
1-9 / Not necessarily by position nor by importance:
1. J Teague (pt g)
2. Joe (go to guy)
3. Jamal (scorer)
4. Josh (best all around)
5. Al (franchise player)
6. Pape Sy (defensive stopper)
7. Zaza (our Big)
8. Marv (LD restoration project)
9. Bibby (bait)
*Mo just became more expendable
*Jordo valuable [#10]-(pos trade chip)
*Etan, J-Cheese, J.Powell, = cannot be traded [CBA]
[great intangibles]
From…..^…..above…..^…..::::
Pape Sy is more apt to be like Scottie Pippen than Magic!
One man’s opinion.
I said “like” I did not say Paps would one day be in the HOF.
His meal ticket will be his defense & versatility.
Much better offensively than Mario.
I’m pullin’ for the kid.
The Hawks deserve a break, finding a diamond [in the rough].
If so, good for LD.
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2010
8:11 pm
It looks like Sund has put together the type of team former GM BKnight envisioned when he made the commitment to rebuilding through the draft. Woodson obviously lied and pretended to share the same vision and commitment to building through the draft, when he was interviewing for the HC job.
With a potential starting lineup of JJ, Smoove, Marvin, Horford and Teague, and a bench composed of Ja & Jo Crawford, MEvans, MBibby, Zaza, JCollins, Pape Sy, JPowell and possibly EThomas, we’ll definitely be quick, fast, versatile, athletic, talented and deep. We certainly have the talent, chemistry and depth to win the East. It all depends on how quickly the players can digest LDrews OFF and DEF systems, make them become 2nd nature, and make both systems work for them.
cp
August 30th, 2010
8:45 pm
I actually liked what I saw from Sy before he got hurt. He got after it defensively and can handle the rock. I don’t see anything that resembles Mario West in him at all. He has more size and length, can actually dribble the ball, and has no problem going to the hoop. Might be a better option at the backup sf position than Mo because of his size and length
KevinM
August 30th, 2010
8:54 pm
No one added to the roster to threaten the core.
Bibby is the incumbent until further notice. A motion offense favors Bibby IMO.
Zaza/Collins/Thomas is about as good as Sund can do.
- The Marvin experiment continues
- Smoove needs to improve his FT numbers so he isn’t such a liability there.
- Rookie JC2 and Powell will be lucky to see 10 min in any game this year. A Sy buyout doesn’t seem to be worth it if it takes $800K-900K to do it. Mo Evans gets to keep his role.
- Let’s see if there is any defense when Al and Zaza are on the court together.
- LD under no pressure to win 53 games. Apparently, not much more is expected from the ASG. If we don’t get past the 1st round, it won’t be a complete surprise or upset IMO.
- We finish 3rd in our division if we can hold off Charlotte and should get a 1st round home series.
I hate to lose Jamal if he can’t get his extension. I would like to see him get 3 years and be able to focus on what he can do to help with the new systems.
Not worried about Al and an extension. He will get his turn next offseason if the CBA can be hammered out w/o any in season game losses.
I reserve judgement on any system that LD is supposed to have brought this team until a few games are played.
KevinM
August 30th, 2010
8:59 pm
Well, we do get our 3rd string SF:
averaging 5.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in the last French Pro A league for Le Havre……
I don’t think those numbers rivaled Boris Diaw, but we might as well see what he can do.
northcyde
August 30th, 2010
11:19 pm
Oh well . . . smh
I guess we have to hope that the new offense turns JJ into a superstar, or that it gets Horford a lot more looks and have him average 18 ppg.
This team needs to improve DRASTICALLY on defense though. We’ll see if the new guys will elevate us to top 10 defensive status this season.
It’s almost football season. Thank goodness.
darrell starks
August 31st, 2010
1:49 am
Wow if houston can give up martin and jarred and 1st for melo, why can’t the hawks give them jamal and marvin and 1st for melo.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
August 31st, 2010
1:52 am
Melo is always here in atlanta plus lala the girl he married grew up in atlanta and went 2 redan high school, so im sure they have a home here.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
August 31st, 2010
2:00 am
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, MELO, JOSH, HORFORD.
BENCH BIBBY, JC2, MOE, ZAZA, COLLINS
RESERVE PAPA, POWEL.
The bench will be a weak depend on how jc2 adjust 2 the nba.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
jason
August 31st, 2010
8:13 am
Trading for melo is going to be tough becuase we need that small foward. Trade youe marvin bibby mo and zaza and futre fuirst round for him. that makes sense
GeeMack
August 31st, 2010
8:23 am
jason
that trade doesn’t make since for Denver. 1st of all Marvin is under contract for 4 more years plus he is very unproductive on the offense.
2nd Why would Denver want Bibby, when they have Billups and Lawson who are both better PGs.
3rd They have Nene, Kenyon, and Birdman who are all better defenders, scorers, rebounders than Zaza.
And finally they just signed Al Harrington to come off the bench so Mo would be useless.
KevinM
August 31st, 2010
9:25 am
GeeMack, well that Harrington acquisition and Melo leaving probably moves him into the starting rotation. Melo is now being linked to interest from Sacramento. That would be a shock if they can bring him in…if they can keep Evans and Cousins…that would be a nice Big 3.
I just think if Melo wants to get to the Finals, he has to move East….CP3 as well.
Looks like Denver can be added to the list of worse offseasons with Cleveland and Atlanta.
GeeMack
August 31st, 2010
11:01 am
KevinM
Personally, I don’t think the Hawks have had a bad offseason.
We have not had the offseason Miami had, but it’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination.
If we lose Jamal without using his expiring contract to make us better, then we’ve had a bad off season, but it’s nowhere near Clevland, or Toronto for that matter.
The Hawks biggest problem, they’re putting a lot of pressure on LDrews new offensive and defensive system, but have failed to improve the talent on the roster.
At best they Hawks have stayed, and with 4 weeks before training camp the jury is still out on the offseason.
GeeMack
August 31st, 2010
11:03 am
“At best the Hawks have stayed the same”
This is what I meant to say.
dap01
August 31st, 2010
11:05 am
With Pepe coming over, I bet we trade Mo for nothing (or maybe 2nd round pick in 2026).
KevinM
August 31st, 2010
11:36 am
GeeMack, yes include Toronto in that mix, but I think the Hawks have done very little to make themselves a championship contender. We are going to depend on LD, and was so convinced he is the choice that he got 2 years. Saying that, they very well might still win 53 games…I don’t see it though.
You might as well have LD in that mix of coaches who have to come in and implement a system. If Chicago struggles, so will the Hawks. A brand new system on both ends, with a group of guys who should be very comfortable with each other and their current habits.
I can say confidently that there will be alot of doubt going forward and during the season. No matter how many games LD can win in Year 1, the only thing that matters is performing in a 1/2 court situation in the playoffs.
For the things that have changed this year, and with the questions of JC1 and Al with their future, I don’t see a lot to be excited about with the ASG, who time and time again has proven they don’t care what the fan base thinks…kinda like how Joe said it last year.
This league is about adjustments and improvements, and the Hawks have adjusted very little. That cap limitation is fine with me as well….I just say it as I see it.
The Truth
August 31st, 2010
12:10 pm
With many proclaiming Pape Sy as Marvin’s backup as a SF, his style of play showed me something different as I agree with this assessment:
Although he’s not an immediate threat to Jamal Crawford’s leverage, Sy projects as a shooting guard off the bench. He’ll be a developmental player this season.
Ken Strickland
August 31st, 2010
12:18 pm
GEEMACK-How can you say the team has failed to improve the talent on the roster when it’s up to the individual players to do that in the off season. Haven’t Horford and Smoove improved each of the last 2-3yrs, and is there any reason we can’t expect the same this season?
If Marvin is included more in the OFF and increases his OFF contribution, which is very likely since LDrew has stated it as one of his priorities, wouldn’t you consider that an improvement. If Bibby’s mins are reduced, but his production remains about the same, wouldn’t you consider that an improvement?
If Teague starts, or gets starter mins, and doubles or triples last yr production, along with his DEF, wouldn’t you consider that an improvement? We don’t necessarily have to add players to improve, we can improve by getting more consistency, efficiency and production from the players we already have.
NOTHCYDE-If Teague replaces Bibby as a starter, or gets the bulk of the mins at PG, wouldn’t you consider that an improvement on the DEF end? With what we’ve seen already from Jordan Crawford and Pepe S defensively, wouldn’t you say their additions will provide more versatility and DEF? With the abandonment of the switching DEF, which will allow our front line players to remain near the basket and in more favorable match ups, wouldn’t you consider that a potential DEF improvement?
I swear, it appears some of you are going out of your way to seek reasons for despair. WE’RE NOT A PERFECT TEAM, BUT NO TEAM IS. With JJ and JaCrawford’s overall abilities, we don’t have to worry about whether Teague can carry the load, because he won’t have to. They certainly did an excellent job of bailing Bibby out, with his limited OFF and DEF production last yr, so they can certainly do the same for Teague.
We’re going to run all season just like we did at the beginning of last season when we led the NBA in PT’s in the paint, fast break pts, shooting percentage and assists, while finishing in the top 5 in scoring. Unlike Woodson, LDrew will hold players accountable and won’t be dumb enough to give major mins to players who play little DEF and contributes little on OFF. HOW CAN THAT NOT BE CONSIDERED AN IMPROVEMENT?
I just don’t understand this one dimensional thinking that seems focused on the single minded idea that the only way to improve a team is through bringing in new players. The idea of internal, or organic improvement as a viable way of improving a team seems beyond the intellectual grasp of some of our fans.
The Celtics are one of the NBA’s oldest and most injury prone teams, and they just lost their starting center KPerkins and backup center RWallace. They just got older and more injury prone by replacing them with Shaq and JOneal. Yet, based solely on the fact they made changes and/or additions, some delusional fans rate them better than the Hawks.
The Bulls made some changes and/or additions, including an unproven new HC, and these same delusional fans want to believe that automatically makes up the 12 gms, and then some, the Hawks finished ahead of them last yr. WHERE’S THE LOGIC?
Rufus1
August 31st, 2010
12:44 pm
Ken co-sign
The idea of internal, or organic improvement as a viable way of improving a team seems beyond the intellectual grasp of some of our fans.
KEN, DON’T FORGET NBA WRITERS.
We went into the offseason with 4 problem areas Head coach, PG, Back-up SF and Back-up Center.
THE HAWKS ADRESSED ALL THOSE ISSES…WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
N.D.T.K.A.
August 31st, 2010
12:48 pm
Well at least the Hawks have depth with some young guys who can at least attempt to run up and down the court and play some semblance of defense (re: Sy, JC2, Powell, & Etan). Especially since the Hawks had little to no injuries all of last year and with L.Drew’s motion offense = (more cutting and movement)there are bound to be more injuries throughout the course of the season.
Would love to sign J. Crawford but it is just not fiscally responsible for Hawks with Bibby’s, Marvin’s, and now J.J.’s contracts as albatross’s around the team’s neck.
Teague and Marvin will be key to Hawk’s success: look at R. Westbrook and J. Green of OKC they are very tough defensively and fearless in there offense assignments. Teague must develop and run the team without fear and Marvin must take his game to another level.
If the team buys into Drew’s system and picks it up on the defensive end there should be no problem competing for one of the top four spots in the East.
O'Brien
August 31st, 2010
1:01 pm
The truth,
If Sy is projected as a SG, won’t he be competing with Jordan Crawford for minutes?
Ramon
August 31st, 2010
1:17 pm
I’m surprised no one has said this, but I see Sy as being a better version of Chills. He’s capable of playing three positions, can defend, has great range on his shot, and isn’t shy from contact. He’s younger than what Chills was, and can score in more ways. I like the kid a lot, and his versatility will go a long ways if he comes in with a mind to want to work hard.
The Truth
August 31st, 2010
1:35 pm
O’Brien writes:
“If Sy is projected as a SG, won’t he be competing with Jordan Crawford for minutes?”
This is the obvious question that would surface from an assessment like that. The answer is yes if he plays his natural position. But since we have an abundance of SG players, the assumption is that LD plans to convert him to a situational defensive SG hybrid or a “tweener”. He has seen something in him that he likes.
The Truth
August 31st, 2010
1:38 pm
Correction: “the assumption is that LD plans to convert him to a situational defensive SF hybrid”
Ramon
August 31st, 2010
1:47 pm
The Truth, I think LD sees Sy as a defensive option on PGs more than SFs in the league. If you recall when he was first listed, it was as a PG not as a SG nor SF. Our on ball defense was the biggest problem we had last season. So by bringing Sy in, he’s able to see if he’s capable of staying in front of the PGs in the league.