Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry covets wing player but no hurry to add one
Yes, Hawks GM Danny Ferry is considering using the final open roster spot (assuming Ivan Johnson eventually signs his qualifying offer) to add a small forward.
“I would say probably a wing that can compete defensively at a high level would be a good thing to be able to add at some point,” Ferry said.
Ferry taking his time with 15th roster spot. (Photo: Johnny Crawford/AJC)
But, no, that doesn’t mean he’s in a hurry to acquire such a player.
“That may happen,” Ferry said. “How that happens, I can’t sit here and tell you. Could it be someone we sign? Could it be a trade at some point and, if so, when could that be? Trades happen in their own time. We have until February to do it.”
And, Ferry said, if the Hawks do sign a free-agent wing, it’s likely the player would have to accept a non-guaranteed contract.
“There is a good chance we will carry 15,” he said. “But preferably that 15th person will be on a ‘make good’ situation that allows us the flexibility needed in case injuries happen and so on. Being locked into 15 [guaranteed contracts] is generally not ideal.”
Players with non-guaranteed deals are easier to include in trades because the team that acquires them can release them to save money. All players contracts become guaranteed on Jan. 10.
Ferry presumably is waiting to see who he can get through a trade or on a non-guaranteed deal because the wing players still on the market aren’t enticing enough to offer a guaranteed contract now. The wing also could come from among those on Atlanta’s summer roster, though Ferry said he and his staff still are deciding which free agents to invite to veterans’ camp.
The next key date for the Hawks is Sept. 11. That’s when the players acquired in the Joe Johnson trade and Devin Harris will be eligible to be used in trades that aggregate their salaries under CBA rules (60 days after they were acquired).
For now, the Hawks will stick with Kyle Korver as the closest thing to a true wing. But, considering Ferry’s flurry of transactions in his short time with the Hawks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make a trade this summer or early in the season to reconfigure Atlanta’s unbalanced roster.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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428 comments Add your comment
Ken Strickland
August 12th, 2012
1:00 pm
ROD FROM CP-Now that the DHoward trade has been completed, it’s been revealed that the Magic refused to trade him to any team within their division, which included the Hawks. So you can stop making up theories about something you know very little about to justify bashing the Hawks for something they had no control over.
NORTHCYDE-You act like there’s some written NBA or team rule that limits who will be allowed to take the last shot. We have several players that are capable of taking the last shot, starting with JTeague, DHarris, LWilliams, AHorford, KKorver, JJenkins, and AMorrow. You act like it doesn’t count if someone other than a designated player, like JJ, takes the shot.
Whoever ends up with the ball at the time the shot needs to be taken will be the one to take the final shot. It’s just that simple. Ball and player movement, rather than having everyone clearout so 1 player can pound the ball in ISO mode before going 1 on 4-5, will be the determining factor at the end of gms. If you put a combination of Korver, Jenkins, Morrow, Teague, or Harris, along with Horford and Josh on the floor for the last shot, who do you think the DEF will double team or focus on?
There’s always more than one way to skin a cat, or win a basketball gm.
pointguardslim
August 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKCqCeOVH4Y
We’re going to beat The Heat! We just need Ken’s mythical yet to be named Small Forward!
BIG DOG
August 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
I see some of you guys have Hawks finishing 8th, this team may be even better than last year with Joe and Marvin exiting.
Devin, Lou, Korver, Morrow give you a team with more ball movement also being able to play Josh at SF and Horford at PF with Zaza starting at center, will make this a better defensive team and more transition basket for the Hawks, i say Hawks will finish 4th seed or better.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Grandad
August 12th, 2012
1:09 pm
You guys and your soft talk.
Pau Gasol is one of the 10 best players in the world.
-Yes-
He has a finesse game;
-but-
he is also one of the most [basketball] intelligent players in the world.
Best offensive post player in the world *[post moves].
**
-Recognized Internationally-
However the intelligentsia on this blog equates him to Al and due to
pigmentation / being verticalcally [challenged] / & a Spaniard;
he loses credibility.
***
Pau Gasol = International SuperStar !
____________________________________________
northcyde:
I was not suggesting our Hawks are ready to play
-positionless basketball- !
I was, however, suggesting that Al & Josh
are multi-faceted players of that ilk.
I have preached on this blog for years;
that basketball players are just that:
-Basketball Players-
*****
The ability to play multiple positions;
both offensively and on defense;
enabling the defense to be versatile.
KevinM
August 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
Ken S.-
Brand is in Dallas now filling the void for the upcoming season. He may play very well with Notwitski and a cheap acquisition.
Grandad-
Billy Knight = ahead of his time
Unbelieveable….Knight went out and traded for Bibby, so the admitted, interchangeable parts theory was thrown out the door.
Along with that, the best the Hawks did under BK was 37-45 and lost in the 1st round.
Do we need to be reminded on how many guys he passed on? BK had an idea, and one that didn’t work or he would still be employed somewhere and making decisions. Last I heard, he’s at the barber shop telling his tales about how Woody. And yet we see Woody gainfully employed in the Big Apple.
pointguardslim
August 12th, 2012
1:14 pm
“If you put a combination of Korver, Jenkins, Morrow, Teague, or Harris, along with Horford and Josh on the floor for the last shot, who do you think the DEF will double team or focus on?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVthaWwyVAw&feature=related
CJ Watson – Korver – Luol Deng – Joakim Noah – Omer Asik
CJ Watson – Korver – Luol Deng – Carlos Boozer – Taj Gibson
What is your frame of reference for using Harris to replace Luol Deng at the SF rather than Josh Smith?
Grandad
August 12th, 2012
1:16 pm
G-dad @ 1:09 pm
” However the intelligentsia on this blog equates him to Al ”
Yawl act as if that`s a bad thing.
Myself, however, considers it a compliment to Al.
Al being another player
who is ripped to shreds on this here blog by some.
All the while being an elite player whom I am dang proud …
he`s wearing our Hawks jersey !
BIG DOG
August 12th, 2012
1:17 pm
Danny need to bring in Al Thorton a can’t miss player for Hawks.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
KevinM
August 12th, 2012
1:17 pm
Orlando so concerned about trading D12 within their division that they went out and decided to screw the entire league by dealing him to LA.
I gotta say they’re as incompetent as the ASG after this decision.
How so many clueless people are gainfully employed in the NBA is amazing! This will be the all-time worse trade in NBA history and it exceeds the Russell-to-Celtics deal and Kobe-to-LA deal easily.
pointguardslim
August 12th, 2012
1:19 pm
The best “positionless” player out there of Josh and Horford’s ilk is Dejuan Blair. He does not have height but he has strength and bulk and size and mobility to
A- push centers far off the block.
B- very good at screening guys off and rolling to the rim
And should be in better shape than ever to start camp.
We have a trade exception from the Green trade
Grandad
August 12th, 2012
1:21 pm
KevinM
” Unbelieveable….Knight went out and traded for Bibby,
so the admitted, interchangeable parts theory
was thrown out the door ”
___________________________________________
Take the whole context !!!
___________________________________________
” Then he lost his way ”
” he drafted the Williamses ”
Please do not quote me out of context !
pointguardslim
August 12th, 2012
1:22 pm
I don’t usually post highlight mixes but when I do theyre dejuan blair mixes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai7p4J2qRYg
pointguardslim
August 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
I forgot to add Blair is a good ball handler and potentially you can have Josh, Horford, Blair all able to dribble and lead the break and run give and go with a guard.
BIG DOG
August 12th, 2012
1:25 pm
pointguardslim – This should be the Hawks team for 2012
Teague, Korver, Josh, Horford, Zaza
Devin, Lou, Al Thorton, Ivan, Blatche
Jenkins, Morrow, Petro
This team would finish 4th seed or better
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
pointguardslim
August 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
Teague, Korver, Josh, Horford, [Blair + Zaza]
Devin, Lou, Al Thorton, Ivan, [Blair + Zaza]
active: Jenkins, Morrow, Korver
Petro
Thinking Blatche might crumble and lash out for P.T. w/o a contract under his belt . I no longer wish for that.
KevinM
August 12th, 2012
1:33 pm
GDad-
Not knocking your thoughts in segments. I myself thought Knight took on the role of being responsible for the success or failures of this team. He came in talking Joe Johnson, PG, and that in itself didn’t make sense. I thought when he drafted Josh over Jameer, I said unbelieveable at the time.
I would have liked to see what Jameer and Joe could have done instead of spending years trying to make something out of Josh.
What Knight did was draft on athleticisim, not on skills. The exception was Shellhead to that mix.
GDad, you have good points, but I don’t think Knight had any idea what it took to build a team of elite basketball talent.
ag
August 12th, 2012
2:13 pm
I went to lunch – so KS actually addressed a lot of what I was going to say. But my opinion:
Philly will not be a four seed. They lost three of their best players (Iggy, Brand, Lou) and replaced them with Bynum and Kwame Brown. They have 3 C’s and no power forwards. They also lost Meeks. They added Nick Young – and I imagine Thaddeous Young will start. Don’t see a go to guy when times get hard. Philly will make the playoffs, but a 7h seed at best.
NY record without Lin is .500 at best. Amare has clearly lost a step and their best defensive player is out. The Knicks are a playoff team – but certainly not a 5th seed. I think 6th is a better fit.
The Nets spent plenty of money and they are going to be better. Lopez is healthy and is arguably the second best center in the East. Humphries averaged a double-double and Joe keeps pressure off of D-Will. Because of the huge salaries – this team looks a lot like the old Hawks – good starters, but awful bench. Still good enough to be a 4th seed.
The most debated team at work on a daily basis! I have to hear about how good the Bulls were without D. Rose. This year, they have to start off without him – and his replacements (C.J. Watson and John Lucas). They also lost Asrik. Only added the much traveled Nate Robinson – but even he is a downgrade compared to they other players that left. They will finish at about .500 and earn the 8th seed.
1. Heat
2. Celtics
3. Pacers
4. Nets.
5. Hawks.
northcyde
August 12th, 2012
2:19 pm
KevinM
August 12th, 2012
1:17 pm
Orlando so concerned about trading D12 within their division that they went out and decided to screw the entire league by dealing him to LA.
I gotta say they’re as incompetent as the ASG after this decision.
How so many clueless people are gainfully employed in the NBA is amazing! This will be the all-time worse trade in NBA history and it exceeds the Russell-to-Celtics deal and Kobe-to-LA deal easily.
*************
LOL . . I wouldn’t say it’s an all-time worse deal, but you’re right about the amount of clueless people running NBA franchises. It’s why half of these teams cry broke every year.
northcyde
August 12th, 2012
2:25 pm
People keep talking about offense when it comes to the Hawks, but you better be talking about the defense. That’s where the problems are going to arise with this team, if Ferry keeps them as is.
Horford and/or Smith will have to significantly improve if the Hawks are going to get a top 5 seed in the East.
Astro Joe
August 12th, 2012
2:58 pm
ag, I think there is very little chance the Hawks finish ahead of the knicks (unless there is significant injury). If i were a knicks fan, I;d be a little concerned about fatigue leading to injury for Chandler and Melo. Other than that, they are very deep, very talented and will be very motivated with the Brooklyn Nets operating in their backyard. I expect Philly will try to flip Hawes for a player to pair with Thad Young. Sixers have several “ifs” but they certainly can be a team that moves ahead of the Hawks if things break right for them (including a trade of Hawes for a stretch forward to pair with Thad Young).
brigadierjerry
August 12th, 2012
3:04 pm
BIG DOG,
Are you saying that the Hawks as constituted today will be a top 4 seed or better?
northclyde as I posted earlier today Hawks will be better offensively but suffer defensively.
Ken S and other Hawks fans
Do you think LD will do a good job with this team as constituted?If the Hawks get another SF that is decent and the Hawks get a top 4 or 5 seed or higher , than LD did one hell of a job. At best I see a 6 seed and at worst I see an 8th seed. Thoughts?
Ken Strickland
August 12th, 2012
3:04 pm
All wishful thinking aside, it looks like our roster at this point will be,
OC-Horford, Zaza, Petro
PF-Smith, Johnson, Williams, Scott
SF-Korver, Stevenson
SG-Harris, Morrow, Jenkins, (LWilliams)
PG-Teague, (Harris), (LWilliams)
If we end up trading for a SF, this 12 man roster could change based on who we have to give up in that potential trade.
POINTGUARDSLIM-What’s so mythical about Ferry being able to sign or trade for a SF that can fit his criteria? After what he did with JJ and Marvin’s contracts, are you actually making an issue of his ability to get the SF he covets? And to add to the joy of what he accomplished with their contracts, he managed to acquire a couple of draft picks(a 1st and 2nd) and some very talented and versatile players.
I declair, it apprears some of you so called Hawk fans are hoping for Ferry, Drew, and the Hawks to have a bad season. All you do is bitch, whine and complain about everything involving the Hawks. In one instance you’re complaining about the loss of DEF and ISO Joe at the end of gms with Marvin and JJ gone. In the next instance, you have absolutely no problem whatsoever predicting the Knicks will finish ahead of the Hawks. The Knicks, a team loaded with players who are allergic to playing DEF, except for TChandler.
brigadierjerry
August 12th, 2012
3:14 pm
Astro Joe,
That is true in regards to Knicks and Chandler although they do have Camby and Kurt Thomas at backup If Chandler gets hurt
Grandad,
I dont get Gasol hate either but I think it comes down to is players who are athletic are more highly liked of then ones that are skilled . I think this is true the Horford vs Smith debates as well.
Astro Joe
August 12th, 2012
3:28 pm
Ken, I have said explicitly that I hope the Hawks have a bad season. I want that to happen for the sole purpose of securing a better draft pick and because I believe this team will only serve as first round playoff fodder for one of the conference’s elite teams. If given the choice of watching a roster in transition lose in the first round or gain a lottery pick, I’ll choose the lottery.
Astro Joe
August 12th, 2012
3:36 pm
Ken, you may have forgotten that the Knicks added Jason Kidd (one of the best defensive PGs in the past 20 years in his prime) and Ronnie Brewer… to go along with Chandler and Shumpert.
Astro Joe
August 12th, 2012
3:38 pm
Oh yeah, and Camby. So yeah, I think they have a chance to be a good defensive team… and if memory serves me, they improved immediately after D’Antoni quit.
prison mike
August 12th, 2012
3:46 pm
That lineup is just a transitional lineup. D. Harris will be traded during the deadline if not injured or struggling. Morrow will also be in the mix to be traded as will Korver. Wouldn’t really surprise me if Zaza goes if we struggle by mid season.
List of players that can/will test free agency in 2013.
Byron Mullens
Taj Gibson
O.J. Mayo
Brandon Rush
Kevin Martin
D.J. Augustin
Chris Paul
Andrew Bynum
Tony Allen
Monta Ellis
Nikola Pekovic
James Harden
Serge Ibaka
Dwight Howard
Andre Iguodala
Tyreke Evans
Al Jefferson
Paul Millsap
Ton of players out there. You can only roll 2 to 12 on the dice, just a matter of how things shake out.
wpl
August 12th, 2012
3:50 pm
I believe the hawks will be a 5 or 6 seed in the ECP, with the offensive fire power that they have, they will be in every gm, their opponents cannot coast or take their foot off of the throttle or else they will lose, regardless of who they are playing.
Unlike the Lakers, Philly, Bulls, Bucks, Knicks, and the Nets, The Hawks have a bench and they don’t
The Hawks can put together two starting five units and they can not!
steven a smith
August 12th, 2012
4:13 pm
Sincerely hope that there is a shot blocker starting in the middle. Keith Benson is a “Legit 6 “10″ who could man the position until the 2013 NBA Draft comes around…
steven a smith
August 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
Oklahoma City cannot keep Harden and Serge” IBlocka” Hawks should “Forget abou Josh, Go after these 2. Move Horford for more expiring deals..
PG Teague/Lou Williams
SG James Hardin(4yr 48mil)/John Jenkins
SF Kyle Korver
C Bynum(4yr 48mil)
PF Serge Ibaka(4 yr 40mil)
Jeff Teague is the only current Hawk i would keep.
Ken Strickland
August 12th, 2012
5:14 pm
ASTRO JOE-First, I don’t think Ferry traded JJ and Marvin for expiring contracts so he can sign draft picks, no matter how high they might be. He’s looking to add FA talent to the young developing talent we already have, like Teague, Jenkins, Scott, Horford, Josh, PSy, Morrow, and Benson.
Also, tanking the season to get a higher lottery pick won’t guarantee one doggone thing. Have you forgotten that Marvin and Shelden Williams were lottery picks? And please don’t forget the legendary #1 lottery picks that have failed miserably, especially GOden and QBrown.
I want our players and team to give it all they have and let the chips fall where they may. Besides, 1 of our 2 1st rd picks is lottery protected. JKidd no longer has the speed, quickness, or 1st step to get past his defender, so you know he’s no longer able to defend his position. They were forced to sign Camby to backup Chandler, because they know their perimeter DEF will be a black hole.
Sautee
August 12th, 2012
5:16 pm
steven a, Bynum made $16M+ THIS year, but you somehow think he’ll sign a FA contract for
$12M / yr?
LMFAO
steven a smith
August 12th, 2012
6:01 pm
Sautee
August 12th, 2012
5:16 pm
steven a, Bynum made $16M+ THIS year, but you somehow think he’ll sign a FA contract for
$12M / yr?
No one will “ever” pay Andrew Bynum 16mil per year again. He is too high risk.
O'Brien
August 12th, 2012
6:29 pm
Ra’mon,
The problem is not many teams would lose an all star level player, but still keep relatively the same winning percentage. However, the Hawks did it when they lost Horford..
What was the Bulls record without D-Rose this past season?
Ken S,
As far as sizen is concerned, or a perceived lack thereof, the Heat won this yrs NBA title with a 6′10″ none physical jump shooting center, two 6′ 8″ forwards, a 6′ 4″ SG, and a 6′ 2″ PG. So get off our perceived lack of size preventing us from making it to or past the 2nd rd..
It’s easy to overcome size deficiencies when you have the best player in the league (LeBron) and another top 10 player in Wade. The Hawks have nobody on their roster that is as good as those 2 guys.
For us to overcome size deficiencies, multiple players will have to continue stepping up. Josh and Zaza stepped up last year, and we need them to step up again. Also, I think Al will have to go back to being Boss Al, instead of diaper Al. And Teague needs to continue to improve as well.
O'Brien
August 12th, 2012
6:35 pm
Steven A,
No one will “ever” pay Andrew Bynum 16mil per year again. He is too high risk.
When Bynum signed his 4 year $58 mil contract in 2008, he was coming off a season in which he played only 35 games (which was 2 years after he played only 46 games), but that didn’t stop the Lakers from giving him 4 years, $58 mil.
He may not get a max extension(which is probably close to $20 mil per), but he will get more than $12 mil (I think he gets in the $16 mil range again – especially if he has another good year).
O'Brien
August 12th, 2012
6:37 pm
Melvin,
Danny Ferry validated Broussard somewhat, but we still dont know what Atl was offering (Broussard said it was better than what Orlando received), because Ferry said it didnt get that far.
Astro Joe
August 12th, 2012
7:56 pm
Ken, being in the lottery does not prevent us from signing free agents. Hawks could have 3 players signed next July (Horford, Lou & jenkins). Even if we bring back Teague and Josh, we’re looking at adding at least 8 players to the roster. We’re in a transition mode with the majority of the current roster headed elsewhere next summer.
BTW, all of this talk about trading Devin Harris. I hope we trade one of the 17 SGs before we trade one of two PGs.
Ra'mon
August 12th, 2012
7:56 pm
O’B, I doubt their record was as good as having the #1 seed in the league without Rose. As Big Ray said, I think that is more a compliment to how good Zaza truly is.
Ra'mon
August 12th, 2012
7:58 pm
AJ, Morrow has to be the odd man out for the right price.
Sautee
August 12th, 2012
8:11 pm
For after Sept. 11: Anthony Morrow and Devin Harris for Wilson Chandler and Andre Miller.
Works for both teams.
Sautee
August 12th, 2012
8:12 pm
Although, Miller might not can be traded quite that soon. (new FA signing)
Astro Joe
August 12th, 2012
8:23 pm
Sautee, I like that trade, although it would eat into cap space next summer. I was thinking smaller, like Just Joe’s reco of Morrow for Corey Brewer (expiring contract). Or Austin Daye.
Grandad
August 12th, 2012
8:40 pm
KevinM
We are agreed on the ineptness of BillyKnight.
However, his philosophy, vision, has been well documented.
* Five 6-9 playerrs who could all play [1] through the [5].
**Also remember – Demarr Johnson + Boris Diaw.
JTO
August 12th, 2012
8:42 pm
@ MC: What about Josh Childress. I live in LA and happen to run into him on Fri night. He just got amnestied by phoenix. He is looking for a team and may play for cheap since he just got bought out. He is a defensive wing player that can lay the 2 and 3. What do you think?
glw
August 12th, 2012
8:45 pm
@steven a smith
No one will “ever” pay Andrew Bynum 16mil per year again. He is too high risk.
If the Sixers dont, then the Rockets, Mavs maybe even the Hawks, plus 3 or 4 other teams will pay him max money next year. Bynum gonna get paid next year.
brigadierjerry
August 12th, 2012
8:45 pm
I kind of see Ferry view of his team in the mold of how the Spurs but more so how the Denver Nuggets play. If you look at it just to compare the teams
Lawson-Teague
Mcgee-Zaza or Horford
Faried-Horford or Smith
Gallinari or Iggy-Right now big question mark for Hawks on who is playing the position for small forward although could be Smith
I think Ferry wants to play similar to what the Nuggets play. Hopefully LD is on board as well
O'Brien
August 12th, 2012
8:58 pm
Ra’mon,
Zaza really stepped up last year. But who is to say our win % would not have been better if we had a healthy Horford AND Zaza?
Either way, what do you think the Hawks should do next offseason when Zaza becomes a free agent (and I am confident he will expect a nice raise)?
O'Brien
August 12th, 2012
9:00 pm
I think whichever trade the Hawks make needs to be for an expiring contract,so we can preserve our cap space for next summer.
steven a smith
August 12th, 2012
9:01 pm
glw
August 12th, 2012
8:45 pm
If the Sixers dont, then the Rockets, Mavs maybe even the Hawks, plus 3 or 4 other teams will pay him max money next year. Bynum gonna get paid next year.
I think he will be offered Roy Hibbert kind of money.
steven a smith
August 12th, 2012
9:11 pm
Also, we could have used Jermaine O’Neal. He would have been an excellent 1 year vet. min. kind of guy. Much better than Mike Scott or Petro. Maybe Ferry is looking to trade up for a better swing player.