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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
779 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:30 pm
Ra’mon ,
An interesting idea. Just wondering if LD would turn it into a “pg battle”, ya know?
Here’s the thing – it wouldn’t hurt for Teague to have a little pushing, but I don’t see his development happening. Not like what the Memphis Grizzlies head coach did with his pg. I see LD just giving Teague challenges and then sitting back and saying nothing when Teague overcomes them. He’ll take minutes away and put Kirk in the game, then watch Kirk fail at the pg. I mean…. come on …
Harris/Teague would be one quick backcourt tandem that could give teams fits if utilized at the right times.
But I have a real hard time trusting a coach to do that when he doesn’t even know how to deploy his own bench (T-Mac and Ivan), took way too long to realize that Marvin was better off the bench (seriously? He had been an assistant coach with the Hawks Marvin’s whole career and couldn’t see that THEN?), and couldn’t understand that Kirk Hinrich is way better as an undersized backup SG than he is a starting or even backup pg in most situations.
Don’t trust him at all.
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:33 pm
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8137116/deron-williams-said-trade-joe-johnson-helped-choose-brooklyn-nets
I see this, and it just KILLS me. To think that Deron stayed with the Nets because of a guy like Joe.
To think that those two could have been paired up in 2005, in Hawks uniforms, for years to come…
But Billy Knight was a “visionary” who thought we needed no such player and then signed Speedy “I think I have a hangnail that will keep me out for 59 games” Claxton….and Woody the Moron didn’t want a rookie pg.
This is what happens when you let FOOLS run your franchise.
Big Ray
July 6th, 2012
9:33 pm
“Beast Mode” off….catch y’all later…
Mr.E
July 6th, 2012
9:47 pm
Ray Allen joins the Heat.
Uh oh
O'Brien
July 6th, 2012
9:53 pm
With Ray Allen on the Heat, it will be even harder to double LeBron.
Ken S,
If we get Dwight here, other players will take less money to play here too.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
I’d be surprised if the Heat win less than 65 games next year.
tjhook
July 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
I now hate Ray Allen . . . merc!
ryan
July 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
Will it force other teams in our division to make moves with Heat more dangerous Ferry has to do something .
WHEN ARE THEY MOVING ?????
July 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
WINGING TO SEATTLE I HOPE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MOVE NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rufus1
July 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
Northcyde,
It took Cuban 10 years(I think) of tweaking his(playoff) team before he won a title… The fans are already regretting his decision to blow up his team…
I have yet to figure out how the Hawks are going to get D12 and get him to sign an extension… I am hoping we get D12.. I just don’t think we will.
Rick James
July 6th, 2012
10:00 pm
@Just Joe
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.
——————————————————————————————————————————
When Brewer came out of Florida with Horford and Noah I honestly though he was the better all around player.I think he will break out someplace.Good call..
pointguardslim
July 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
And what contender is giving McGrady 20 minutes per game for 82 games a season.
Come on. He couldn’t elevate to shoot and was hit or miss. He injured himself to end the season.
20 minutes a night? on a contender? What can he do reliably for 20mpg?
Lakers? Heat? Oklahoma? on a contender? No.
The honest answer is no. Tragic rise and fall but I doubt Ferry will sign McGrady as he rebuilds the Hawks.
pointguardslim
July 6th, 2012
10:03 pm
Is Mike Miller staying? How small will they go? o.O
ryan
July 6th, 2012
10:04 pm
We need D12 now with Ray Allen in our division need twin towers to face the Heat .
MattP
July 6th, 2012
10:07 pm
ryan,
I wouldn’t even try to mess with the Heat now. I would say Ferry so just start rebuilding a team to compete a few years from now.
dan
July 6th, 2012
10:09 pm
Howard, Smith, Randolph, Mayo and CP3 run run and run release the hounds!
pointguardslim
July 6th, 2012
10:19 pm
“I wouldn’t even try to mess with the Heat now. I would say Ferry so just start rebuilding a team to compete a few years from now.”
“Matt” P. responding to “Ryan”.
I found that funny. Hawks don’t have the option to “build for later”. Lebron Josh and Al are in their primes.
MattP
July 6th, 2012
10:24 pm
pointguardslim,
I agree and that is why we can get a lot for Smith and Horford. Unless Hawks can for sure get both D12 and CP3 they should just rebuild.
O'Brien
July 6th, 2012
10:40 pm
From the N.O. paper;
LAS VEGAS – New Orleans Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon said if the team matches the four-year, $58 million offer sheet he signed this week with the Phoenix Suns, he’ll play in the Crescent City, but he won’t be happy about it.
Gordon made his comments speaking with reporters for the first time since issuing a statement through his agent that his “heart” was in Phoenix.
“If (the Hornets) were interested, there wouldn’t have been no tour, there wouldn’t have been nothing,” Gordon said. “There’s been no negotiations. I was right there in Indiana. I haven’t received no calls, to me personally. They’ve contacted my agent.
“As for now, I don’t know what’s going on. (If the Hornets match) as of right now, I’d be disappointed.”
Is there anything the Hornets could do to change his mind? “I don’t think there is,” Gordon said..
http://www.hoopsworld.com/hawks-zaza-pachulia-off-the-trading-block?/
If New Orleans does not retain Eric Gordon, then they would have lost Gordon and Kaman from the CP3 trade. And if that happens, you can blame David Stern for not letting the other trade go through.
This reminds me of the JJ situation, and the Josh situation. JJ told Phoenix not to match the Hawks offer (although Im not sure if Phoenix really would), so we worked out a SNT.
And Josh was offered by Memphis, and we matched. Josh was not happy that he had to go out and find his money, and Eric Gordon isn’t happy about it either.
O'Brien
July 6th, 2012
10:41 pm
wrong link.
http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2012/07/new_orleans_hornets_guard_eric_21.html /
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
10:42 pm
“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” –BRay–
Yea you should know…
Peel back the onion maybe you’ll something…..
Me likes the Grasshopper also…Hahaha
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
10:46 pm
[learn]^^^^
Sonia Windley
July 6th, 2012
10:48 pm
Bring back Damien Wilkins. You can get him for cheap and I think all he needs is a solid opportunity to prove he’s more than capable. Just my thoughts
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
10:49 pm
C’mon Sautee you can do better.. [scroll]
NekiEcko
July 6th, 2012
10:52 pm
Its looks like the Dwightmare is almost over,
I hope that the Hawks getting him but this is the NBA, he probably going to the Lakers or Nets (as David Stern desire)
crawdiddy72
July 6th, 2012
10:59 pm
tyreke evans
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
11:00 pm
You buy the bullchit,I don’t player….lol
KevinM
July 6th, 2012
11:09 pm
I know this is of little fanfare to most of the Al distracters here, but I’m reading the Dominicans are one win away from qualifying for the first time ever for the London Olympics…..Al Horford had 30/12 in a game this week, and they have Lithuania on Sat night.
Congrats to Al and Coach Calipari for getting together and getting a chance to go to London. DR is ranked 25th worldwide and Lithuania is ranked 5th in the world.
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
11:13 pm
5 more days[The suspense is growing]..
Can Danny pull off the biggest trade in Hawks history to date?
That is the 64 million dollar question..
And what will it cost the Franchise? Will he have to give up the selected Allstar, mind you not voted in by the public? How many picks? How many years will this Real SuperStar sign for?
This requires tremendous thought and planning far beyond Mr. Know it all Jr…
brigadierjerry
July 6th, 2012
11:36 pm
Take it for what it is worth regarding Dwight Howard.
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Magic- … index.html
Rev in Tampa
July 6th, 2012
11:37 pm
I haven’t been this giddy about the offseason since Shaq was trying to decide whether to join the Hawks or Celtics. I hope the Hawks don’t get left standing at the alter alone again.
Although as I try to remember back to that time I’m not really sure the Hawks ever made an offer to Shaq.
brigadierjerry
July 6th, 2012
11:42 pm
regarding the link i submitted with an dwight howard trade immenient:
I would bet that it’s the Lakers. By getting Nash they have elevated themselves back into the big picture big time. Bynum, for as good as he looked for stretches last season, is still not in Howards range in terms of being able to dominate especially defensively. The Lakers, if they were smart (and they are) would realize that with Kobe winding down and with the 38 year old Nash in tow that swapping the not as ready Bynum for the more ready and more defensively dominant Howard would push them up yet another notch in the championship ladder. Doesn’t matter about Howard whining. Doesn’t matter about what Bynum’s future might be. It’s about right now. And right now Howard is better than Bynum. Right now the Lakers window is…well…right now. Id’ actually be shocked if the Magic were willing to do a Bynum for Howard swap that the Lakers would back out. This really goes to what I’m talking about understanding that i’s a business that it’s about the team and doing whatever it takes to get your team be the best team it can be for the timeframe you have.
Rev in Tampa
July 6th, 2012
11:46 pm
I remember how many on the blog were pointing out that having Shaq on the roster would be good for attendance and revenue for the Hawks even if Shaq rode the bench and was a bad locker room influence. I agreed then and continue to agree.
I don’t care if Dwight is a nightmare and a man-child. He is also the best true center in the league. He will elevate the quality of basketball played by the Hawks. He will elevate the attendance at the games. He will draw the attention of the national media. He will build the fanbase outside of native Atlantans. He will be making money for the Hawks even when he is on vacation. AND aquiring him will go a long ways toward changing the culture of the entire organization.
corporate tv ball sux
July 6th, 2012
11:49 pm
keep hinrich. trade LD for a head coach that the players and fans respect.
Rev in Tampa
July 6th, 2012
11:50 pm
The ONLY misgiving that I would have about the Hawks aquiring Howard now is that it would likely give Larry Drew another winning season and another extension on his contract. YUCK!
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
11:54 pm
Buddy G even “know it gets it”… lol
If All played in the Western Conference night in and night out would he receive an Allstar invite?..
“Nope. He would not. And neither would Josh. Maybe not even Joe. Next”…-BRay-
doc
July 6th, 2012
11:58 pm
big ray, shortly after d will made his decision i too mentioned here the irony that it took so long to make the pairing that could have put us over the top for years. it would have been a true batman and robin show. it will hurt if they seem to have an unmistakable bond from the get go and jj revives his career more as a catch and shoot gunner and crafty defender since his legs arent used up trying to create plays.
i also had a long note crafted, prob along similar lines and for the umpteenth time it got blowed up because MC shut er down while i was composing it.
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
12:01 am
Hey BigRay, guess calling me a “Hater” required deep thought on your part…Well Kudos to ya! Hehehe
Let me let you in on a little secret: I don’t drink the Kool-aid but your more than welcome to keep gulping down GALLONs of the stuff since you apparently have years of practice!. How else is Mr. Blank gonna take your money like a kid in a candy store?…Stick that feather in your Hat Einstien…
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
12:03 am
[all]^^^^
KevinM
July 7th, 2012
12:03 am
I gotta wonder though if D12 comes here via trade, then does he really improve us chance for a title?
We more than likely have to give up our starting PG, 2 1st rounders at minimum, and perhaps Josh would be the best Robin he’s had, but looking at it from D12’s perspective, your coach would be LD and your team has never been a threat.
I can see why he isn’t mentioning us as a destination.
I think Danny’s chances are slim to get this to happen. We so bad need to have a good PG here for D12 and Josh, and plan B would be to move Josh for a Harden, a Gay, or a potential high lottery pick.
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
12:12 am
If the D12 acquisition never materializes for our Hawks this franchise [may become] basically irrelevant for at least a season..What a tragedy that would be…
The long suffering fans would suffer again…
No news there…
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
12:25 am
doc we aint seen nothing yet..wait till Joe and Dwill come down to Phillips and drop 60 pts on us?
Oh the Humanity…
Ra'mon
July 7th, 2012
12:29 am
Houston is open to a sign and trade for Camby. Could Hawks trade Zaza for Camby and one of Houston’s 5 SF’s?
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
12:34 am
Ra’mon, I dont think I would make that trade. Camby stays hurt..We need Zaza..He’s much younger and rarely hurt!
If it were not for duck breaking his foot he would have been there to help the Hawks defeat the Celtics!
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
12:37 am
Would like to see Derrick Williams starting at the 3 spot for the Hawks.. This guy is going to be something…What could we give Minn to show we’re serious?
Grandad
July 7th, 2012
12:50 am
Are yawl listening to yourselves ?
Let`s say we trade Al, Teaguer, Zaza, & two picks
for your guy D.H..
Now we would have two knuckleheads
with one yr left on their contract
as the cornerstone of “our” franchise.
[even if one or both re-sign]
[1] … Devin Harris ?
[2] … John Jenkins / Anthony Morrow
[3] … ? ? ?
[4] … Josh = stretching the floor, chuckin` jumpers [sarcasm]
[5] … Dwight = self absorbed narcissist
• No cap space
• Very few draft picks
• No trade chips
Am I missin` somethin` ?
O'Brien
July 7th, 2012
12:54 am
Ra’mon,
Camby does not want to come here. He wants to go to the Knicks or Miami (if he doesn’t stay in Houston), but to get more money from those teams, he needs a SNT from Houston. Hawks are not on his list.
And I wouldnt make that move anyway, because Zaza is expiring, and we need the salary cap space next year (for more options).
O'Brien
July 7th, 2012
12:54 am
Doc, Big Ray,
If BK knew what he was doing, our team (back then) would have been:
PG: CP3
SG: JJ
SF:Childress
PF: Josh Smith
Center: Zaza
That would have been a great nucleus. And since CP3, Chills, and Josh would have still been on rookie contracts, we would have had salary cap space to fill out the bench nicely.
O'Brien
July 7th, 2012
1:01 am
KevinM,
Since Orlando resigned Nelson, I don’t know if they would still want Teague, who will be a RFA next year, and might command $5+ mil (imo).
Maybe they would take Al ($12 mil), Zaza ($5.2 mil, expiring), Devin ($8.5 mil expiring), and 2 first round picks for D12 ($19 mil expiring) and J-Rich ($5.8 mil – although his total contract is 3 years, $18.6 mil).
Would you do that deal? And IF they all resigned (assuming Teague $6 mil, Josh $16 mil, Dwight $20 mil), we would still have roughly $10+ mil to spend on upgrading the team.
If they want Teague, we would have Devin Harris as our starter, and just have to hope that he gives us at least his career average of 13 and 5, while shooting a good %.
Ra'mon
July 7th, 2012
1:03 am
G’dad, the Hawks have many expiring contracts that would still be trade chips once the season starts, and the two months waiting period has passed. Also, the Hawks will have a lot of cap space next off season even if both re-signs. Also, when the Celtics big three came together, KG was a perennial loser (Kevin Garnott), Paul Pierce was a chunker who had at best questionable b-ball IQ, and Allen was a shooter who athleticism had passed him by 3 seasons earlier. Josh and D12 would be younger than either of the big three were when they came together. And they will still have more than enough room to add a superstar level player, with the mid level also available because they’re under the luxury tax. Also after the big three came together, Boston had only 5-6 players on their roster, and their big three totaled over $60 million alone.