Atlanta Hawks: Hawks waive Sy, Wanamaker, Rolle (Update: Benson also released)
The Hawks waived forward Magnum Rolle and guards Pape Sy and Brad Wanamaker today. More cuts are coming later today: The roster now stands at 16, one more than the maximum, and it’s possible Atlanta will carry the minimum 13 players for the regular season.
UPDATE: The Hawks waived center Keith Benson, their only draft pick in June. The team plans to carry 15 on the roster to start the season. There are four players on the roster with non-guaranteed deals: Ivan Johnson, Jannero Pargo, Donald Sloan, and Jerry Stackhouse.
The decisions on Rolle and Wanamaker were not unexpected but the Hawks gave up on Sy after investing in him as a long-term prospect. Coach Larry Drew said Sy’s inability to develop as a point guard played a part in the decision.
“We, the coaches and the management, came to an agreement that he’s been a little bit more effective off the ball than at the point,” Drew said. “With that and the acquisition of Willie Green and [having] a number of other guys that are veterans that can play two, he became expendable. We were hoping he would mature and develop but he just seemed more comfortable at that two-guard spot. With that, we made the decision to go in a different direction.”
Sy, a native of France, made his way to the NBA as a a rare unknown prospect–prominent Web sites that track numerous draft-eligible players had no file on Sy before Atlanta selected him in the second of the 2010 draft. Sy had paid his own way to work out for the Hawks, the only team to grant him an audience, and impressed Drew.
The Hawks paid about $125,000 to buy out Sy’s French contract last year and paid him $473,604 in salary in 2010-11. He played a total of 21 minutes for the Hawks last season and spent 23 games with Atlanta’s D-League affiliate.
Sy had a good training camp but Atlanta’s payroll is pushing against the luxury-tax line, leaving little room for carrying players who can’t help the team now. The Hawks added guards Green and Pargo during training camp.
“It was a really tough decision,” Drew said. “There were a lot of things we liked about Pape.”
When the Hawks drafted Benson, they said he was a long-term prospect because he needed to add bulk and strength. But Benson, like Sy, appears to be a victim of Atlanta’s focus on veterans at the expense of carrying prospects who need time to develop. Benson was released by a club team in Italy during the lockout.
Rolle signed with the Hawks near the end of last season and re-joined the team following a stint in South Korea. He came into camp out of shape after he said a right foot injury hampered him from maintaining his conditioning.
Wanamaker, a rookie free agent out of the University of Pittsburgh, struggled during last night’s exhibition victory against Charlotte.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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771 comments Add your comment
Ken Strickland
December 25th, 2011
3:37 pm
it’s just so good to see NBA basketball again.
Slimjr
December 25th, 2011
3:40 pm
Miami fixin to go up by 30 on Dallas…Wow….by halftime? Sheesh…
EmirS.
December 25th, 2011
3:40 pm
Dallas has no interior defense without Chandler. The way they’re looking now…I don’t know if they can repeat. Nor even make it to the WCF’s.
Slimjr
December 25th, 2011
3:41 pm
Bosch looks much bigger on the block. Nice post ups down there..
Jones stroking 3’s like freethrows…..Scary team…..believe it…
Slimjr
December 25th, 2011
3:44 pm
Dallas reminds me of the Hawks.. Not much interior defense, just kills a team run at an ECF. Forget Championship. Dallas wont sniff it anymore….
doc
December 25th, 2011
3:51 pm
brig wasnt sure about the timing of the two moves, assumed that but wasnt sure. thanks.
doc
December 25th, 2011
3:52 pm
heat looking strong, as expected but even more so with shane.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 25th, 2011
3:57 pm
Anyone playing Miami better crash those boards. That’s the only way to stop their fast break. Dallas is getting killed on the boards with no Chandler.
Harry Hawk
December 25th, 2011
4:20 pm
The owners will try to rebrand themselves in part by abandoning the Atlanta Spirit name, which was adopted when the group came together to buy the Hawks, Thrashers and arena rights.
“I’ve never liked that name,” Gearon said.
You can’t make this stuff up.
Harry Hawk
December 25th, 2011
4:21 pm
Merry Christmas to all!
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
4:26 pm
The polls have the hawks about right. True, our core is in tack but that may be part of the problem. not part of the solution. You guys keep hitting up Marvin for not becoming a super star but ignore ALL NBA AL for producing 10ppg average in the playoffs after 39 games. What does that say when your Highest drafted player only produces 10 ppg in the playoff?
Our coach is a dud!
Woody was better period. If you aren’t going to step up to coach levels above Woodson why in the heck would you down grade to Drew? That was STUPID! Unless you intended to upgrade you should have stayed the course and extended woody.
Other than JJ and Josh this team has nothing in the way of major players. I dont want to hear that crap about ALL Press FAVORITE Al. the Dude has had 39 playoff games to produce 10ppg and 5 seasons to produce 12 ppg and 9 rbs as our highest drafted player. His mind is not even on playing his position because hes so intent on playing Josh’s, and since he cant he takes a non nonchalant attitude about defending the rim.
So double team JJ, and double team Josh ,and the hawks are toast. Nobody else can take over a game and beat you. Just contain those two and you win.
Defense? What Defense? Just Josh.
Most of the teams addressed their weakness and got better, or stepped up their talent level to the next notch.
The hawks didn’t do a, (cuss word goes here) noteworthy thing
Quit hoping for Boston to fail and somehow translating that into us improving. Get better not wait for someone else to get worse. Again stupid is as…..
By the way, the rumors of Boston’s demise are greatly exaggerated. They have much more talent that we do and more than 1 or 2 guys who can take over a game.
Yea, the pollsters have us about right.
Hawks finish somewhere 5-8th (save this to your desk top and read it again after the season)
EmirS.
December 25th, 2011
4:40 pm
Mavs are so out of sync.
And is it just me or has Lebron’s post/paint game improved??
tony
December 25th, 2011
4:42 pm
So the hawks dumped Keith Benson and kept Stackhouse. UNBELIEVABLE! The hawk fans are in for a rude awakening. I counted 30 teams that the hawks could possibly beat. Now I can’t even get excited about the NBA draft anymore because the gm doesn’t have a clue. The people in the State of Ga need to change their ways so good things will start happening for us.
tony
December 25th, 2011
4:47 pm
Opps-CORRECTION……I meant 30 games that they could win.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 25th, 2011
4:48 pm
I have NOT heard one player, coach, or member of this team’s front office say “Our ONLY goal is to win a ring” in the last 5 years. NOT once. LD and Sund will be back if we get to the ECF…Sigh.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 25th, 2011
4:52 pm
“If these players, coaches, and organization don’t start significantly elevating the goals of the Hawks, we’ll never get to the next level.”
That’s the problem. There is NO DESIRE TO WIN A RING in this organization. NO one has come close to saying what the Grizzlies owner said regarding a ring being the goal
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
5:02 pm
The Mavs have no Center. If I’m them, I’m trying to sign Dampier, Fesenko, McDyss, somebody, because the have no C. Mahinmi and Haywood are not going to get it done.
But in a grueling season, I like their depth. Don’t count them out yet.
Norris Cole may be what put’s Miami over the top, along with a healthy Haslem. Haslem’s a beast.
But with the Heats lack of depth, I will be interested in how they hold up this season.
Toney Douglas looks good. So did Shumpert before he got hurt. I think the Knicks lack of depth will hurt them also.
Slimjr
December 25th, 2011
5:05 pm
Keys will be these 4 guys,Teague, Marvin, Vlad, and T-Mac! All NBA is a role(10ppg. playoff performer) player. He’s not an Allstar in the fans eye,that’s why the fans don’t vote him in.How many of those coaches won Championships? Hmmmmm..Josh will be up and down as usual..
The guard play will carry this team or not…Nothing new there….
Joe Johnson may you find your jumpshot and rain in threes like you used to…
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
5:06 pm
I also agree Boston’s demise may be exaggerated, especially once they get Pietrus in there. If they had a healthy Green, they could probably make some real noise.
But they have no Center either. But Brandon Bass may be better, or at least as good as Big Baby.
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
5:08 pm
I guess if your the Celtics, you can throw Bass, Wilcox and even Garnett in there at C. I’ll be shocked if Jermaine makes it through a entire season healthy.
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
5:23 pm
“Joe Johnson may you find your jumpshot and rain in threes like you used to…”
That was when he had someone else to spread the defense. Joe will be doubled and triple as usual, and Josh will bring his 16-20 a night. out side of that lets be real, where can we get consistent offense? Probably. Ivan Johnson. The hawks are so obvious with only JJ and Josh. If we had a sharp shooter like the early Bibby, we could take some heat off those two, but we don’t so they will double and triple JJ an Josh and force the rest of the team to beat em.
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
5:37 pm
Now Norris Cole is most likely garbage at the PG. But they just need a halfway serviceable body at the Point who can play some D. Norris may fit that bill. He’s definitely quick.
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
5:43 pm
The Hawks match up well with most teams, just a little less. Like if Chicago is a “100″, the Hawks would be a “95″. Same with the Heat. We’ve got some good pieces, just not quite good enough for a Championship it looks like.
I like the Hawks this year. Just looks like another good team, but maybe not Championship caliber. I hope I’m wrong.
And the Sixers and Pacers look good on paper. I still think the 76er’s need a better Center to be Championship contenders.
Pacers – Collison and Hill are good at the Point. Granger, West, and Hibbert – that’s one of the better frontlines out there. Not sure how that young guy will do at the 2 spot. If he’s good, look out. And that trade for Amundson was just what they needed off the bench.
vava74
December 25th, 2011
5:44 pm
Merry Christmas!
Typical Lebron: winning when it does not matter.
Obviously, Dallas is worse than last year.
They miss DeShaun beyond the obvious Chandler.
Interesting that the same people who now say that Chandler was essential for Dallas and now consider Haywood a non factor are same that wanted him for the Hawks.
The guy is a perennial under-achiever that had s decent year (a couple if tears ago) in order to secure the contract he got.
Now, it’s back to sleep. On
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
6:26 pm
“At the beginning of the summer . . . I was just drained and exhausted,” Gearon said. “I was emotionally spent. I thought maybe a new face [as owner] might make a difference. By being able to step back over the summer, [I was able to] get recharged, get energized again.”
Gearon said the owners no longer have investment bankers seeking a buyer for the Hawks. “We just told them, ‘Stop everything,” he said.
“If somebody comes and offers you something, you never know, but [selling] is not what my goal is, no,” he added.
Does anybody know how to perform serpical suicide? No? Nevermind, I have a shotgun…that’ll do…
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
6:31 pm
The owners will try to rebrand themselves in part by abandoning the Atlanta Spirit name, which was adopted when the group came together to buy the Hawks, Thrashers and arena rights.
“I’ve never liked that name,” Gearon said.
Translation – “I’d like to say it was all Steven Belkin’s idea, but I’m afraid if I say his name out loud, we’ll have another public lawsuit on our hands.”
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
6:32 pm
Tony,
You’re right. Keith Benson would have been the difference between us winning 30 games and winning more.
Puff…puff…pass…
Grandmaster JeJe
December 25th, 2011
6:32 pm
Haywood will be fine.
He is obviously not as good as Chandler, but he can play with that aggressiveness teams need.
I’m more worried if Vince is focused on winning a ring with these guys. Couldn’t Mark Cuban, of all people, have afforded to keep Chandler? Dallas is a bit over the luxury tax regardless.
All but 2 of the ESPN “Experts” have Miami winning the ring this year. Damnit! Someone please beat that team. I doubt it’ll be Chicago because they didn’t do anything this summer to get better.
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
6:35 pm
Vava74 – Yes, I wanted Haywood, and would still take him for a 15-20 mpg backup C. But he’s not 30-35 mpg material right now. Did he sucker Cuban into his massive deal or what?
But the trade and purposes would have to be right, like Marvin still underperforming – might as well trade 1 bad contract for another, and at least be able to move Al to 4 and Smoove to 3 if that’s what you wanted to do.
But Hawood and Mahinmi are not going anywhere fast as far as BB is concerned.
Grandmaster JeJe
December 25th, 2011
6:36 pm
Big Ray,
The thing that pissed me off most was when Gearon Jr. compared us to LAL and Boston, while simultaneously trashing OKC, ORL, and DAL, who did not advance to the 2nd round 3 years in a row (2 of them went to the Finals/won a ring, the other went to the WCF and is the favorite out of the West this year). What a pathetic remark.
If you read Sund and Gearon’s interviews, they are so damn focused on these numerical stats. I recall Sund mentioning only a few teams have finished in the top 5 multiple years in a row and some useless stat about the 8 teams in the 2nd round and their records against each other. We had some middle-of-the-pack record against them (for the 09-10 season).
Summary of this post: Sund and ASG are both awful at what they do.
Does anyone know what ASG calls themselves now? The Atlanta Spirit site redirects to the official Hawks site
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
6:40 pm
And if I’m Lebron, and somebody says the keys to me winning a championship are a PG rotation of Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, and a C rotation of Joel Anthony, and maybe Eddy Curry or Dexter Pittman, I would run from that team.
But I would guess they’ll finish out games with LeBron, DWade, Battier, Haslem, and Bosh, with some tweaks depending on the circumstances.
Haslem is really a big key for them also. They are a different team for the better when he plays. Maybe Ivan Johnson can be our Haslem, just with a better O game.
SteveW
December 25th, 2011
6:42 pm
I’ll be interested to see where teams are after 44 games of this brutal schedule thing, injury wise and the like.
And age wise with a team like Boston – can they do it with all that age on that team?
Rufus1
December 25th, 2011
6:46 pm
Celtics Back?…..No!
The Knicks haven’t ARRIVED?
Rondo had 31pts with about 10 layups…So much for Chandler protecting the RIM. The Celtics score 104pts without Paul Pierce…That Knicks DEFENSE still a work in progress.
The Celtics CAN’T DEFEND LIKE the PAST.
HAWKS still TOP 3 in the EAST.
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
6:47 pm
SteveW I don’t know if you work for the Hawks publicist office, but I just don’t see any improvement on these hawks and they only have 2 guys who can take over a game. Out side of Joe and Josh, who can and will impact the games for the Hawks? What did the hawks do to get better? What did the hawks do to keep up with the league?
Why are you so optimistic? like many on this blog I’m ready to rebuild, why aren’t you?
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
6:49 pm
and SteveW why would you move Al to the 4 when his average there is 7 pts and 4 rbs ?
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
7:04 pm
Been watching Lakers/Bulls….Rose may have been MVP, but Kobe is still #1 assassin.
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
7:08 pm
Grandmaster JeJe ,
Want to hear something crazy? I think Sund might show himself to be mediocre if he wasn’t Gearon’s Do Boy.
As for Haywood, yeah he’ll be fine, but he won’t ever be Chandler. Not that there is a huge difference between the two, just that Chandler’s athleticism and mindset is superior when it comes to defense, I feel.
But hey, I could be wrong.
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
7:09 pm
Big Ray Im sitting here LMAO!! on the Tony/Keith Benson comeback….
Puff Puff Pass…..LMAO!
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
7:10 pm
Big Ray I’m sitting here LMAO!! on the Tony/Keith Benson comeback….
Puff Puff Pass…..LMAO!
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
7:11 pm
Blue Steel ,
In mind, there are two reasons to move Al Horford to the 4 spot:
1) To maximize an advantage matchup-wise, against another team.
2) Josh is traded away for a “real” center.
Or maybe because Josh is out of the game and Collins/Zaza is in (for whatever reason – matchup, foul trouble, etc).
We’re not talking a permanent move of Al to the 4. Ain’t gonna happen without something else of serious significance going on, which impacts the situation.
By the way, I wonder if there is some more depth of detail in Al’s stats while playing PF? Seems to me that he didn’t log much time there, so we’re not talking about him averaging 7 points and 4 rebounds per 30+ mpg at that position, are we? Gotta be clear about these things. Stats don’t exist in a vaccum.
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
7:12 pm
What happened to the duplicate comment filter?
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
7:14 pm
Blue Steel ,
Glad you liked the reference to Benson, LOL.
As for the PF spot, don’t get me wrong – I’m not arguing that Al should be moved there. I’m just coming up with instances where it makes sense. I do NOT think it makes sense to do this all the time or even most of the time….Al is better at center, and better for the TEAM at center.
And for the record – if we ever acquire a starting caliber center, my guess is it’s because we traded Al, making the move of him to PF totally moot…
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
7:15 pm
What happened to the duplicate comment filter?
It failed.
It failed.
It failed.
Hmmmm….triplicate filter ain’t working either…
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
7:19 pm
BigRay.
Addressed that question to SteveW because he made references.at 6:35pm. I knew what your answers would be and I was looking for fresh ideas.
If I wanted to talk about pot heads or smoking weed, then I call you number like I did at 7:09/10
Why would we down grade the 4 by putting All Press Al there? The correct move would be to trade Al and get an upgrade at center not down grade at the 4 and then get a center.
How much of that stuff did you puff?
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
7:20 pm
OK Ray your humor is with our peer today… good show..Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
7:23 pm
*Without peer today.
Ray I get it on your comments on when to use Al at the 4. Some conversations are best in real time. Your point is made.
Blue Steel
December 25th, 2011
7:28 pm
For what its worth Hawks Fan Nest was awesome.
EmirS.
December 25th, 2011
7:30 pm
Rose is killing the three pointers!
Adding another dimension to his offensive game?
I heard the announces say something about him working on his floater as well. Going to be interesting.
Big Ray
December 25th, 2011
7:32 pm
Blue Steel ,
Yep…hard to keep up in virtual reality world. No sweat, I knew you’d get my point once it all managed to get into print.
I can’t puff the bad stuff…I B Da PoPo.
brigadierjerry
December 25th, 2011
7:33 pm
Chicago reminds me of the Sixers with Iverson or even the Ewing Knicks in the 90’s. Their margin of error is so slim and they play errifc defense but the lack of a second scorer with those sixers and kick teams and with this Bulls team I think will be their downfall even though they got Hamilton but he is past their prime and I am not sure Rose is such a great fit as a point guard for Hamilton like BIllups was