Atlanta Hawks: Hawks trade Willie Green for rights to Greek center Schortsanitis
Hawks GM Danny Ferry gained some more of the financial flexibility he covets by sending Willie Green to the Clippers in a sign-and-trade for the rights to Greek center Sofoklis Schortsanitis.
Schortsanitis signed a three-year contract with Athens club Panathinaikos earlier this month so chances are he won’t be joining Atlanta’s roster. The value for the Hawks in the deal is gaining a trade exception in the amount of Green’s first-year salary with the Clippers, which wasn’t immediately known.
Update: According to ESPN.com’s John Hollinger, the exception is worth between $1.65 million and $2.75 million.
A trade exception works as a sort of credit that would allow the Hawks to make a trade while over the salary cap without meeting the usual salary-matching requirements. The credit expires one year from the date of the trade.
The Clippers selected Schortsanitis in the second round of the 2003 draft. He was listed at 6-9 and 345 pounds while playing for the Clippers’ summer league entry in 2010. Schortsanitis played for Olympiacos and Maccabi before joining Panathinaikos.
Green signed with the Hawks before last season and went on to post a career-best year in scoring efficiency. His 1.04 points scored per possession (on 395 possessions used) ranked 24th in the league, according to Synergy Sports Technology.
Like pretty much every key Hawks reserve, Green struggled to score in the playoffs against the Celtics. In addition, Green’s defensive weaknesses–too slow to handle quicker opponents, too small to check bigger foes–were magnified during that series.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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219 comments Add your comment
Buddy Grizzard
July 31st, 2012
8:46 am
Watch at :40 as Nenad Kristic punches and chokes Big Sofo from behind, then runs away like a little girl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymr43dHcOQA
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
9:34 am
Dominic McGuire may not be a bad pickup for the Hawks.
KevinM
July 31st, 2012
9:35 am
I expect Danny to make a significant move once D12 is off the market.
D12 going to Houston helps our lottery protected pick we own and that would solidify us being able to cash in next year.
Now if Danny keeps Josh on this team, what kind of salary demands is Josh willing to accept? I know someone out there next offseason will be willing to overpay for him.
Danny dealing Willie is Danny getting something for nothing because Willie could have done that deal without any help from us
Big Ray, there is no way Danny can rid himself of LD because LD isn’t going to rock the boat. I would want the same thing, but the only thing Danny can do is watch us get off to a 3-10 start and then justify being able to replace him.
Chicago signing Nate Williams gives them more cushion while they wait on DRose to fully recover. They might still be one of the better East teams. It doesn’t appear they are going to amnesty Boozer.
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
9:38 am
Our Big 3 (If you can call them that):
Josh
Al
Lou
That’s not a terrible Big 3 – and all are going to be at or near their prime this season.
Scoring is not my concern with this team – Defense is.
It just seems like we are going to outscore folks to win.
And Morrow can be such a difference maker on this team – it’s all up to him – and LD also, if LD will utilize him.
Big Ray
July 31st, 2012
9:39 am
Like Sautee said, what an incredible difference between Sund and Ferry.
Of course, there is also the fact that the group formerly known as the ASG finally understood that they needed a suit to do the work, and to keep their uneducated grubby little hands out of it.
Speaking of which, nobody has heard Michael Gearon’s big mouth lately, and all quotes are coming from Ferry. For once there is true hope….
vava74
July 31st, 2012
9:39 am
I would not call that running away like a little girl… it’s more a case of buyer’s remorse
I think he realized that Sofo did not fit in his living room
so he wanted a refund.
He was obviously shying away from having to fight Sofo, but never disregard a Serb as someone capable to mettle with the biggest foes.
These guys have been at war (in the Balcans) since ancient Rome, so it’s not that they are soft by nature.
Big Ray
July 31st, 2012
9:46 am
Kevin M ,
Totally get your point. Now here’s my counterpoint:
At some point “not rocking the boat” just isn’t good enough. In fact, LD is once again on the hot seat for this season (he’s only under contract until the end of this season, if I remember right), if not a lame duck.
Not rocking the boat does not equate to sufficient winning. And that’s what this organization is finally going to be about. Winning. LD is gonna have to prove he can really coach this season. If he can’t, then a roster of quick guards and athletic forwards is not going to be competitive. While we wait for next summer’s free agency bonanza (this should be fun…I hope) LD gets to show he knit this group together, one that doesn’t have the same core it always did (finally!).
So I’m not so sure “I won’t rock the boat” is gonna be a good enough alibi. Ferry has control, he proved it by breaking up the core. If I were LD, I’d be looking real hard at my “offensive brilliancy” scheme again. He’s gonna need it, among other things.
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
9:48 am
Marcus, the last time the Hawks spent more than $3M on a “external” free agent (before the Lou signing a few weeks ago) was in 2005 with a guy name Speedy Claxton. IMO, the reason FAs weren’t interested in playing for the Hawks was because the Hawks were only willing to spend on their own FAs and wouldn’t pay others more than a minimum type fee. Danny Ferry has obviously changed things by clearing up cap space and showing no loyalty to the core group. So, yes, free agents (who ultimately want to get paid) will consider the Hawks because we have an ample supply of what they want, cash.
SteveW, I like Pietrus, always have, but I think a player of that ilk can be had on a one year deal every season. One year, Matt Barnes, another year Pietrus, the next year Damien Wilkins and so on. I don’t think you risk falling $1M short of offering a max deal to an elite free agent because you wanted Pietrus on a multi-year contract.
Dominic McGuire is a GREAT rebounder and above average defender. And unlike Pietrus, Barnes or Delfino, he has both the height and the mass to defend this conference’s better SFs. But if he scores more than 8 points in a game, confetti should fly from the Philips Arena ceiling.
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
9:58 am
Hawks vs. Heat (No, it’s not as stupid as it seems at first glance!):
Josh vs. LeBron – LeBron wins, but Josh can at least compete with him
Al vs. Bosh – Probably somewhere around a draw. Most would probably rate Bosh slightly higher – but some did see some slippage in Bosh this past season.
Lou vs. DWade – Don’t Ask. Only thing we got going for us here is that DWade is getting older, and has been injury prone.
Harris vs Chalmers – Advantage Hawks
Teague vs Cole – Advantage Hawks. But Cole can be very dangerous in spurts.
And you could switch Teague and Harris out in their comparisons and get the same thing.
ZaZa vs Anthony – Advantage Hawks, but again in spurts, Anthony can be serviceable.
Ivan vs Haslem – Haslem is a beast as a rebounder. But he is older and injury prone. Some I’m going to say somewhere around equal for now. We’re not talking about Haslem in his prime, but now.
Morrow vs. Ray Allen – If Morrow is on his game this season, this may not be as big of a blowout as it first appears. Ray is really hobbled, he’s 37, and his D is almost shot. But he probably still has the advantage on intangibles. Morrow will be 27, and should be entering his prime, we’ll see.
Korver vs. Battier – No contest. Only hope is again Battier has been injury prone. Battier holding up for 40+ minutes per nite in the Championship series really pushed Miami over the top.
Jordan Jenkins vs Mike Miller – Not sure how good JJ is going to be, or Miller’s health, so we’ll call it a draw for now.
DeShawn Stevenson vs Rashard Lewis – Probably a wash – both really on the downside of their careers. Again, we’re not talking about 5 years ago, but this year.
Johan Petro vs. Pittman/Darko, or whoever else they roll out there – Probably about a wash. Petro may have a slight advantage in some cases, but not enough to notice.
I mean, look, Miami has a better team. But they definitely have some X factors also. DWade, Miller, Haslem, Battier are all injury prone at this point in their careers. Wade had off season knee surgery, never a good thing for a player like him. And Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen are def. on the way down, and have some injury issues also. So it’s not like they’re invincible.
But Riley has sure done a good job at building that team, surrounding the Big 3 with talent. And LeBron has come on like a Champ. The guys the best player in the world. No doubt.
And Arinson doesn’t mind paying the tax, Big Time. The Heat’s cap situation is abysmal – but as long as Arinson is paying the bills, it really doesn’t matter.
They got a bunch of old, oft injured geezers on the hook for alot of money long term
And I just realized I left James Jones off the list – Maybe Jordan Williams (doubtful), Mike Scott, Pape Sy, Keith Benson, or Pietrus or somebody else we sign cancels him out.
Miami sure has alot of bodies coming off that bench.
doc
July 31st, 2012
10:01 am
you guys are so silly. with rick still around the house i am sure he is the true puppet master to make these things happen. surely danny couldnt have caught on in such a short time what needed to be done.
aj, it has been awhile since our sf was scoring much above 8ppg so i dont think it is a requirement for the job. we do need a defensive and rebounding sf to help our undersized front line. he sounds like the right prescription to me as there are scorers ready to come off the bench for him when our starters need blows and offense drops off among our bigs.
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
10:03 am
Steve, I think if you find Chalmers’ stats against the Hawks, you may have a different perspective.
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
10:03 am
Aj – I hear ya – Just saying if we like Delfino or somebody better than some other guys out there, or if your in a mini bidding war with a team, we do have the Bi-Annual at 1.9m per available. The number crunchers on the Hawks can see if it would affect our FA viability next off season.
McGuire, Gee, a few others – there are some interesting options out there if we go that route.
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
10:06 am
AJ – I know Chalmers can do great in spurts – but he is very inconsistent – but he does his best under pressure, like when LeBron and Wade were hurt against the Hawks last season.
But I think overall, Teague or Harris is better than Chalmers, on a nite in nite out basis.
vava74
July 31st, 2012
10:13 am
SteveW,
The new Lebron (non-choking because he already won the title and now knows how to play point-Power Forward) is such an advantage that you can stop the conversation right there.
Josh is a great multi-talented player, but he does not have the foot speed, nor the post/man to man D to keep up with Lebron.
Let’s first worry with reaching the ECF and not make fools out of ourselves against MIA.
PS: Wade will officially take a back seat, as he did from midway the BOS series and he will not beat up his body as in the past. MIA will coast to a #1 seed but without looking for 70 wins in order to keep his main cogs fresh.
PPS: Our current roster is extremely soft on D. We need to bank on an highly efficient use of our tiny personnel to get within the #6 to #8 seed dogfight.
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
10:15 am
doc, yeah, as recently as Marvin’s last 2-3 games he started(I think).
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
10:16 am
doc, yeah, as recently as Marvin’s last 2-3 games he started (I think).
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
10:17 am
AJ – I remembered that also about Chalmers, but he averaged 13.8 ppg and 4 assists per game vs. the Hawks this past season – good, but not incredible or anything.
And his season averages were 9.6 ppg and 3.8 assists per game – 12.98 PER – nothing to write home about.
The year before in 4 games he averaged 5.5 ppg and 3.5 assists per game against ATL.
I think overall, Teague or Harris are better PG’s than Chalmers.
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
10:21 am
Vava – I agree with you – Durant is the only guy that can be mentioned in the same breath as LeBron right now – and he’s not nearly the complete player that LeBron is. Limited versatility.
But Durant’s O is so unstoppable and incredible, within the flow of the sets, that talent alone puts him in the conversation.
But I agree, I think Miami did some tanking this season to stay fresh.
And Coach Spo’ was masterful resting the oft injured bench guys in the playoffs, giving them rest games, and then letting them be fresh in the next game. Well managed rotations. Fantastic really.
I was rooting against Miami, but I noticed Spo’s rotations and it worked. Masterful.
SteveW
July 31st, 2012
10:24 am
Levenson’s been talking a little bit as well…
PMC
July 31st, 2012
10:32 am
Do you have to go to the doctor if you have a Short Scantis?
KevinM
July 31st, 2012
10:34 am
SteveW, good stuff and I know you know your guys, but I would you rather call Jenkins, Joe, instead of Jordan…..our new JJ.
AJ, I was looking at McGuire’s stats and I remember the game he had against us……….
Date Opponent Result MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OFF DEF REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
Feb 29 @ ATL W 85 – 82 36 0 – 1 0 – 0 0 – 0 1 14 15 1 1 0 2 2 0
The format isn’t there but it basically says 15 rebounds and zero points. That has to be chasing a NBA record of some sort. And yes, I only saw him score in double figures 5-6 times. But I like the kid’s size and perhaps he fills the bench void for a defender. We could use a couple on this roster.
vava74
July 31st, 2012
10:34 am
Yep, Spo was often under fire but he did a masterful work and it was only when his stars bought into his plan (both Lebron and Wade) that they became nearly unstoppable*.
* I still think they got away with some referee bias that favored them in crucial moments.
KevinM
July 31st, 2012
10:38 am
Steve, if you ask me today, I take Chalmers over Teague or Devin Harris.
Why? The guy has clutch in his game. He has hit big game shots time and time again. When Miami was wavering and pandering around last year deciding whether to re-sign him, I was ‘hoping’ Sund would come out of his man-cave and bring him in. But Sund’s rule was never pay more than the minimum to bring someone in.
I hope Sund and his minimum effort serves him well in retirement. What a waste of 4 years!
Brandon
July 31st, 2012
10:51 am
345?? A 6′9″ 345 basketball player??? Is that a typo of some sort?? That’s a nfl linemen right there. Not an NBA player. He’s shorter and fatter than
shaq is if that’s his real weight. Maybe he should read about overweight NBA Players and the Heath problems. And read about Robert “Tracker Trailer”’s story of being severally overweight.
vava74
July 31st, 2012
11:25 am
Brandon,
Sofa-Sofo will not play with us not with anyone else in the NBA.
He is under contract with Panatinaikos for 3 years (just signed).
When his contract is up, he will be a 30 year old 400-pounder.
This was strictly to get from the Clips their trade exception.
Sofo Knowledge
July 31st, 2012
12:00 pm
Lay off on the Sofo hate. The trade exception was genius move. Ferry is moving mountains trying to make the Hawks better. Sofo may never come to the NBA but he has held his own in world competition and is more celebrated internationally than a lot of people realize. Although before I never thought it would be possible or thinkable. At least the thought of Ferry pursuing a Bynum or Howard while keeping Josh and Al here and happy is definitely rootable.
Geemack
July 31st, 2012
12:22 pm
The Hawks need to clear space and go after Bynum next summer. A front line of Josh, Al, & Bynum would be the best in the NBA. Lou WIlliams and Teague would make the Hawks instant contenders.
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
12:32 pm
Geemack, they have the cap space to go after Bynum next year, assuming he wants to walk away from ~$20M by going to another team.
vava74
July 31st, 2012
1:18 pm
The only way we can get Bynum is if in a Howard trade scenario:
a) Bynum says that he will not re-sign with ORL nor with other trade partener, but would sign with us (unlikely); and
b) We, as the third team in the trade, give Horford and someone else like Teague to ORL as the “consolation prize”.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 31st, 2012
1:24 pm
If the rumors about McGuire are true, make it happen. I still remember him getting 15 rebounds on the Hawks from the SG position (for comparison’s sake, his positional counterpart in that game, Joe Johnson, ended up with 4 rebounds). A guy with a 3 ppg average shouldn’t command much more than the vet minimum, but his ability to do other things should make him well worth such a contract.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 31st, 2012
1:28 pm
Here’s maybe the saddest thing you will see all day. Is there any other former first-round pick on Twitter with less than 200 followers?
https://twitter.com/CalBowdler
giggly doop dee do
July 31st, 2012
2:09 pm
Let him give hard fouls to other teams centers.
ryan
July 31st, 2012
2:09 pm
If D12 is traded to Houston and i don’t think he signs long term there he will most likely be a rental my guess is the Lakers , Nets , Hawks will still be in the picture next summer .
giggly doop dee do
July 31st, 2012
2:15 pm
Bynum isnt consistent and stays injured too much.
hawksfancents95
July 31st, 2012
2:17 pm
Id be down for DMac, he’s lengthy gets boards and can play some perimeter D. He’d be a good option coming off the bench.vet minimum on a playoff team should get him.
i resend my offer for barnes, how are you a nba player making that money not pay for traffic ticket or solve that issue promptly and then mouth off to cops?do you value being perceived as a bad a ss or an nba player more? he clearly is bout that life, idiot.
Future NBA Champions
July 31st, 2012
2:43 pm
The Hawks are on their way to being a dynasty. Ferry is a genius. And we will still seriously contend this year I honestly don’t think losing Joe and Marvin will make us take a huge hit in production since we added Lou Will who only scored 3 fewer than Joe (off the bench). Joe’s clutchness, size, and overall defense will be missed but his clutchness will be replaced by John Jenkins and Lou Williams. A defensive sf would help. But with the team the way it is now we will still be a top 5 seed. And of course next year 2013 we will pick up a star or 2 (hopefully SUPERstar) and we will win our first NBA championship of many to come. Btw Josh Smith is a superstar and a top 3 PF in the NBA. Biggest all-star snub in nba history.
roster at about 35 players right now?
July 31st, 2012
2:58 pm
Bet he’ll be glad to get away from all the african immigrants in Greece that the ex-olympic sprinter was talking about. Oh wait, he’s coming to Atlanta!
lol
Buddy Grizzard
July 31st, 2012
3:30 pm
KC Johnson: After Nate Robinson signing, Bulls are either done or might add Tracy McGrady. Twitter
ryan
July 31st, 2012
3:49 pm
Bulls can have T Mac we clearing a lot a cap space for something big don’t know if its D12 or not my gut says Ferry has a plan .
KevinM
July 31st, 2012
4:03 pm
What we’re seeing so far in the Ferry overhaul is not one person has been re-signed from the Sund regime.
The only variable there might be Ivan, but I haven’t seen the news on that yet.
Perhaps Danny takes care of LD in the near future as well. Big Ray, you listening?
I would not be surprised to see Josh, Al, Jeff and Zaza in rumors going forward.
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
4:30 pm
I don’t see the value of dumping LD anytime soon. Ferry likely has a list of coaching candidates to consider next summer. He hasn’t built a team this year to do anything more than compete for the back-end of the playoffs… even with a better head coach. So LD gets to audition for another head coaching job (or offensive coordinator) and Ferry makes his big move next summer with both the roster and the coaching staff.
giggly doop dee do
July 31st, 2012
4:37 pm
Ban SteveW. This is a blog not a book.
KevinM
July 31st, 2012
4:46 pm
AJ, with LD on his one year leash, it does open the potential that if Danny likes him, he gets to return. If it is cut and dry that LD is the scapegoat for one year, why go through that to waste a year on your plan?
Wouldn’t it be more advantageous to insert a long time predecessor now? Or is Danny looking at an active coach like Thibs to fall through the cracks?
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
4:57 pm
Kevin, Ferry probably has both available and contracted candidates on his list. It may also depend on what he can do with the roster next summer. If he brings in some experienced and productive vets, then he may want to go with one type of coach than if he misses out on that type of player and has to build with younger guys. Here’s an example, if he can put together a roster capable of making the Finals in the next 3 years, maybe a Jerry SLoan type makes sense. if he can’t, and he has to use the cap space to trade for players like Derrick Favors or Derrick Williams or sign OJ Mayo (young guys not ready to compete for a title imediately), then Sloan probably isn’t the right guy at his age… maybe Brian Shaw or Mo Cheeks is a better selection. IMO, there is very little chance that LD stays beyond this year and the right coach to replace him should be based (in part) on the roster.
But all of this is easy for me because I have ZERO expectations of the coming season. Many of you are predicting far better results. I’m personally hoping for a lottery pick next June… avoid the playoffs and have a lottery pick, cap space AND a new head coach to start a new era of Hawks basketball.
Buddy Grizzard
July 31st, 2012
4:58 pm
“I don’t see the value of dumping LD anytime soon.”
Maybe we would move up from having the worst coach in the NBA to having the second worst? That would be an upgrade. Anything would be an upgrade. Dominique would be an upgrade.
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
5:02 pm
And my guess is that Pop’s head assistant (mike B—, I won’t try and spell his name) is probably at the top of Ferry’s list.
Melvin
July 31st, 2012
5:03 pm
The Hawks may have salary cap space during the wrong summer. I like the 2012 Free Agents better than 2013. Outside of the top 6 potential 2013 FAs, there is no one I would offer more than 10 mil (or a big contract) to. I like Harden and Ibaka but I wouldn’t break the bank for either of them. I hope Danny doesn’t overpay for mediocre players next summer like Detroit did with Gordon and Charlie V a few summers ago. I would rather see Ferry hold on to the cap flexibility for another season than to overpay avg players.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/ranking-the-2013-nba-free-agents/
KevinM
July 31st, 2012
5:07 pm
I would not be surprised Buddy if Nique took that role and filled the LD slot in a pinch.
LD is an adequate coach; he’s just not a coach that is going to make us a contender. Is he as good as Terry Stotts? Probably.
According to the ASG, he’s better than Casey or Mark Jackson, so opinions vary widely on LD.
I’m ready to put him in the rear view no matter if we are going to compete this year or not. We have to pay for leadership. I don’t see why that is such a hard concept to understand.
Danny’s being too nice keeping LD at this point. If everyone on this roster is being held accountable, LD better be at the top of the list.
Would anyone be shocked if we had no returnees from last year on this year’s opening day roster?
KevinM
July 31st, 2012
5:11 pm
Melvin, if we can’t get a top notch FA next year, get ready for a major rebuild IMO. I seriously don’t even want to wait that long to grab a big name.
We need a big time frontline all-star from the rookies game or the real AS game. We aren’t contending until we do.
Astro Joe
July 31st, 2012
5:16 pm
Kevin, I would be shocked. No way is Ferry getting rid of Horford, Josh or Teague in the next few weeks. There’s pretty much nothing that Ferry can do now to help this team in the 2012-13 season make the ECF… you don’t trade Joe for scraps if you’re in a “win now” mode. Remember how he talked about “building a sustainable program”?