Atlanta Hawks: Wings are the thing
The Hawks are interested in free agent forward Anthony Randolph, as reported today by Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The Hawks also remain in contact with the Magic about trade possibilities for Dwight Howard.
But the more pressing concern for the Hawks is signing a small forward after they agreed to trade away Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson.
“We have to look at the wing area to bring somebody in that can help us,” Drew said. “With having the six spots filled [including] the two draft picks on the roster, solidifying on the wing becomes more of a priority than a ‘big.’ We could add another big but, right now, certainly the priority is strengthening the wing area and then possibly adding another big.”
As things stand now, Atlanta’s options include playing one of Josh Smith, Anthony Morrow or DeShawn Stevenson at small forward. Smith was able to play the wing effectively in certain matchups last season but neither he nor Morrow or Stevenson is a natural for the position.
The Hawks are interested in Rashard Lewis and Courtney Lee. They’ve also reportedly inquired about O.J. Mayo.
Other free-agent wings still on the board include Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, Carlos Delfino, Antawn Jamison, Mickael Pietrus, C.J. Miles and Tracy McGrady.
The Hawks can offer a contract that starts as high as the non-taxpayer mid-level exception maximum of $5 million. It appears that the first wave of free-agent signings isn’t quite over as players look for money and/or contending teams to join. The Hawks could still be a pretty good team next season but clearly no longer are as attractive to free agents as they were last season, when they could sell the possibility of a strong postseason run.
With that in mind, expect the Hawks to zero in on free agents to sign once the market settles.
“There’s been some surprising things that have happened with free agents,” Drew said. “Our stand is just to continue to look at possibilities that can help our ball club. There are still some interesting names out there. We’ve had contact with a number of free agents and we want to bring in guys that can play right away, whether they start or come off the bench.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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779 comments Add your comment
tjhook
July 6th, 2012
8:08 pm
another person to consider to bring in for a contract would be forward Devin Ebanks. He’s still underdeveloped offensively, but would be a great utility player to bring off the bench. He and James Anderson would be two guys we could look at and assess their long term potential by signing them to a million-dollar contract (or less) since they each only have two years of experience. Ebanks is an outstanding defender which would help our lineup.
Note: On the link is a recap of trades the Hawks made regarding Jordan Crawford, Damion James and Tibor Pleiss (forgot we actually drafted him)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLYgBCATBnU&feature=related
terrell
July 6th, 2012
8:08 pm
Big Ray, Cleveland took Waiters at #4 overall. Dont thnk he was a starter. Of course Im not defending the Marvin pick. Just sayin. And to BK’s defense, WOODY DIDNT WANT A ROOKIE PG.
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
8:09 pm
Hey dude when your football team goes 4-10 against the winners[last two seasons] its not hating its real “nimbers” stating that the team are pretenders……Especially the one that melts down in the money games…lol
Of course Mr Blank and his boys are doing a great job with their “shell’ game cause it worked on you and many more..But thats okay, you guys will get it in a couple of years….Be patient Grasshopper….
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
8:09 pm
FTPB
“NEJAH DAVENPOOP-Here’s a link that talks about Josh being glad about the JJ and Marvin trade, that should tell you WTF I’m talking about. I know you’llprobably try to discount the article, since you’ll want to maintain your position of ignorance. And I’m sure you’ll pretend you’ll pretend not to have heard anything about Josh trying to recruit his friend to come to the ATL.
Sometimes when you say WTF are you talking about, it’s an indication of your own ignorance, or lack of awareness on the matter.”
Sometimes you should try reading the entire article, and its source, to avoid indicating your own ignorance or lack of awareness on the matter.
You linked to a Yardbarker post, which in turn linked to a post at iamagm, which in turn linked to the story by Marc Stein that I and two or three other people posted here on the day of the Joe trade. And what did that Marc Stein story say?
The flurry of action, after years of restraint from the Hawks, has also made a fast impression on Smith, sources said. Smith had been vocal for months about wanting to be dealt, but sources told ESPN.com that the swingman is excited about the direction Ferry has taken things in his brief time in charge.
There is no direct quote in anything you linked. There is a line from Stein quoting an unnamed source. That’s it. Not only does the page you linked not quote Josh directly, but it also twists around Stein’s original story. That line from Stein’s story suggests that Josh is excited that the Hawks have a GM who is not afraid to make moves instead of maintaining the status quo, not that he is excited specifically about Joe being gone. There is a huge difference between what the Yardbarker headline says — and what you interpret from it — than what Stein said in his original story.
Reading comprehension matters.
tjhook
July 6th, 2012
8:12 pm
a second James Anderson snippet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_nIxpxDDtE
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
8:13 pm
“Other free-agent wings still on the board include Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, Carlos Delfino, Antawn Jamison, Mickael Pietrus, C.J. Miles and Tracy McGrady.”
Hill won’t come here. I’d like to see them bring in Pietrus and T-Mac, maybe also Delfino.
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
8:14 pm
Najeh with vicious cross-over and step back 3! Did Marv Albert just say: YES?????? [made shot]
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
8:14 pm
I dont care what nobody Blake GriffIn is a dirty player.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
8:16 pm
HE may have heart but he does not have game to crack the glass ceiling[ECF/Finals]
Ra'mon
July 6th, 2012
8:16 pm
If Howard comes via free agent, Horford will be traded for someone like Rudy Gay who can play SF.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
8:16 pm
Jamison is not a natural SF any more than Josh is. I don’t want his no defense playing, non-passing ass anyway. Let him go to Charlotte where they actually want him.
pointguardslim
July 6th, 2012
8:18 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX_M_UAtKQw
This lets Jeff Teague and the guards make the plays while Smith runs off screens and sets screens.
Ivan is the one messing up there on offense. The defense on all positions was superb. No one running a lane escort service
And he was making good decisions but too short. Horford and Mike Scott should be able to play that elbow very well and the defense comes first.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
8:19 pm
I don’t mind Gerald Green either. I don’t think he’s anywhere close to a sure thing and I have no idea if he can do anything other than score, but at least we know he can score, he’s athletic, and SF is his natural position. Can’t say that about everyone else on the above list.
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
8:20 pm
7 turnovers in the money game from your Allstar center means he was forcing it cause his 1950’s set shot was being contested….
Nothing new there……
pointguardslim
July 6th, 2012
8:20 pm
Najeh Davenpoop do you see McGrady signing with any other NBA team after the debacle of last season?
He can’t hold his own anymore
tjhook
July 6th, 2012
8:20 pm
Now, here is one featuring Ebanks and Derrick Caracter during their rookie years with the Lakers. Caracter is looking pretty good down low on the block. But I think Ebanks would be a good rotational player for the Hawks – a utility guy off the bench.
tjhook
July 6th, 2012
8:21 pm
Sorry, forgot to add the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4Xd0cPTWng&feature=related
hawkfan335
July 6th, 2012
8:22 pm
Scola would make a nice pickup.
pointguardslim
July 6th, 2012
8:29 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuklWpNBhE0
The Hawks almost beat the Celtics in 2010 with Josh Smith at 250 lbs playing SF.
And Steve Kerr and McHale talking about Josh being long armed? – Josh has the same length as Vince Carter and Paul Pierce. And is a natural shooting the gap
So you trying to tell me what his natural position when the Hawks are always last in rebounding and havent won anything? Its a joke. Theres no reason the Hawks should be this athletic and near last in rebounding.
wings and things
July 6th, 2012
8:29 pm
Al the Horford haters… where do they all come from? All the horford haters where do they all belong? A
To all you Horford haters, Get a grip. Al is no Scrub. Al is the Second (2nd) best power forward on this team…. behind Josh.
Now Hate on that Al haters.
wings and things
July 6th, 2012
8:32 pm
Atlanta’s depth chart will look something like this (just for example, so please save your outrage if you disagree):
PG: Jeff Teague/Devin Harris
SG: Anthony Morrow/John Jenkins/Devin Harris/DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Josh Smith/Anthony Morrow/DeShawn Stevenson
PF: Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson/Jordan Williams/Mike Scott
C: Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Johan Petro
J.J.M.
July 6th, 2012
8:33 pm
Hawks fan reaction to joe johnson leaving
http://youtu.be/ZGXZOrEV7_c
terrell
July 6th, 2012
8:33 pm
Sorry azz Elton Brand? Never liked his game. None of those Dukies work out too well in the NBA. Well perhaps Grant Hill, but thats about it. Bunch of system players. With that being said, I’d take him over Collins in a heartbeat. Depends on how much $ he’s wanting.
pointguardslim
July 6th, 2012
8:34 pm
Caracter had upper body size but no length and couldnt defend.
Ebanks I see as an inferior Smith Not seeing him doing nothing better than Josh. Rather sign Rashard Lewis as a backup SF.
Sautee
July 6th, 2012
8:35 pm
“7 turnovers in the money game from your Allstar center means he was forcing it cause his 1950’s set shot was being contested….”
“Nothing new there……”
Well if it’s nothing new, how come you keep posting it over and over?
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
8:45 pm
“Najeh Davenpoop do you see McGrady signing with any other NBA team after the debacle of last season?”
Can you elaborate on what made his last season a “debacle”?
As far as I could see he was a pretty valuable bench player as long as he wasn’t injured or having his minutes unnecessarily usurped by the less productive Kirk immediately after his return from injury.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
8:46 pm
I think T-Mac is a fine bench player if given a consistent role at 15-20 minutes per game, particularly if the bench doesn’t have another player who can pass and create open looks for teammates.
O'Brien
July 6th, 2012
8:46 pm
FTPB,
Ray,
Only half of Turk’s $12 mil salary next year is guaranteed, so Hawks could buy him out after this season.
Liar convention
July 6th, 2012
8:49 pm
I want to be an Al Horford defender!
O'Brien
July 6th, 2012
8:49 pm
Najeh,
Give me Gerald Green for offense, and Pietrus for defense. I think those 2 players would give us good production from the 3 spot (better than Marvin, and for much less too).
Stay away from T-Mac. I don’t think he can be counted on for 82 games, and LD does not know how to use him.
Just Joe
July 6th, 2012
8:49 pm
Saw a clip of Horford playing for the Dominican team today. He looks thinner. Had like 14 pts, 15 rebounds though.
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
8:55 pm
Slimjr west conf centers are sure dominant since 4 out of last 6 all nba centers are from eastern conference. You’re right all nba no shot in the west!
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
8:56 pm
Yesterday I (and someone before me) suggested Devin Harris for Kevin Martin to temporarily plug the SG hole with an expiring player. Here’s another idea to add to that — Anthony Morrow for Mike Dunleavy. Salaries match, and Dunleavy is expiring and is still a somewhat productive player, even if he is injury prone.
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
8:57 pm
Pass on Pietrus his choke turnover ushered the Heat into the finals. Don’t need more guys like Joe who don’t have it when it matters.
scooby Doo
July 6th, 2012
8:58 pm
I saw a film of Al playing center in the 3rd grade. He dominated the 1st graders. Thats the Al Im talking about. I want that Al back. Al was better when he was in the 3rd grade.
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
8:59 pm
Najeh how bout devin for Royce white since they have 37 forwards.
Just Joe
July 6th, 2012
8:59 pm
I still like Corey Brewer as a trade target. We should have roughly a $4.5M trade exception to use once Joe’s trade is finalized.
J.J.M.
July 6th, 2012
8:59 pm
wait you cant trade devin harris for like 3 months right?
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
9:02 pm
“wait you cant trade devin harris for like 3 months right?”
You can trade him by himself. Can’t trade him along with someone else.
In addition, teams cannot trade players under the following circumstances:
For two months after receiving the player in trade, if the trade aggregates the player’s salary with the salaries of other players. However, the team is free to trade the player immediately, either by himself or without aggregating his salary with other salaries. This restriction applies only to teams over the salary cap.
http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:03 pm
Of course Mr Blank and his boys are doing a great job with their “shell’ game cause it worked on you and many more..But thats okay, you guys will get it in a couple of years….Be patient Grasshopper….
Yep. Like I said, you’re just a hater. Requires little or no original thought, and is easiest when working from hindsight….LOL is right….I’ll take grasshopper over earthworm…
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
9:04 pm
And according to the trade machine, at least, Harris can be traded for Martin straight up even though Martin makes $4 million more.
J.J.M.
July 6th, 2012
9:04 pm
ahhhh ok
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
9:05 pm
Tmac had to share minutes with Marvin, joe, vlad (whom ld stupidly fed minutes) and Ivan at SF. Tmac needs to get over it and see the opportunity for minutes at SF on a squad he is already familiar with before he starts over elsewhere.
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:06 pm
I think T-Mac is a fine bench player if given a consistent role at 15-20 minutes per game, particularly if the bench doesn’t have another player who can pass and create open looks for teammates.
And with that statement, I say you give up your day (or night) job and coach the Hawks. You already know more than Uncle Larry….no seriously….funny how veteran players who know how to play the game have had such issues with Hawks head coaches the last several years….
Stats
July 6th, 2012
9:06 pm
I know how T.S. Always yaps about Al’s 12pts and 8 rebounds. Well I actually took Al’s best 3 minutes in which he scored 6pts and had 3 rbs (they were his own misses) and multiplied that across 48 minutes to give a better idea of what Al’s potential is.
I came up with 96pts and 48 rebounds (they were his own misses) per game.
Im expecting Al to have an outbreak year. (the cooties)
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:17 pm
Kevin Martin for Devin Harris….well that does one thing in particular, I notice – eliminate any competition for Teague (and simultaneously eliminating any temptation for LD). Heh….like plate glass…
Ra'mon
July 6th, 2012
9:18 pm
Gerald Green and Pietrus would be a great tandem at the SF position. I agree with O’B, they would come for much less than Marvin would. I will go on record of saying I think this team (with Green and Pietrus added) will compete for a 4-6 playoff spot, long as they stay relatively healthy, for majority of the season. Everyone is overrating the other teams in the east, like they do every year. Teague, Josh, and Al on the floor will still be better than anything else majority of the teams in the east put out there.
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:19 pm
STATS,
Really? The cooties? Ewwwww….I heard he caught them from some little Asian guy that tried to assassinate him after a game with a dirty popsicle stick…
Ra'mon
July 6th, 2012
9:22 pm
Big Ray, I see LD using a Teague and Harris back court to close a lot of games.
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:25 pm
I really do wonder where Gerald Green will end up.
Wasn’t surprised to find that the Sixers dumped Elton Brand. Those dummies could have had Josh Smith (lucky for us they were stupid), wonder how they feel about that now? Oh, I understand precisely WHY they did it, but still think it wasn’t a smart move.