Atlanta Hawks: Rematch with Pistons awaits

Vivlamore reporting.

Short-handed or not, Lou Williams is staying in the Hawks’ starting lineup.

Coach Larry Drew, out of necessity, used Williams as the starting shooting guard on Dec. 22 against the Bulls. The Hawks are 5-1 since the move.

At the time, Drew said he would have used Devin Harris in the starting spot. However, the guard was out with a sore left foot – an issue that will cost him a ninth straight game Friday at the Pistons. The change has also meant the DeShawn Stevenson, often a starter at small forward with Kyle Korver at shooting guard, has remained a reserve.

Drew knows a good thing and he’s sticking with it.

“A couple of games I’ve thought about going back to a bigger lineup but sometimes, as I’ve said in the past, you’ve got to roll the dice a little bit – whether you adjust to the opposition or you force the opposition to adjust to you,” Drew said. “Clearly, our last few games if there is an adjustment to be made it’s going to be on their end. I’m going to stay with what’s been working for us. He’s been good in our lineup and I’m going to keep it that way.”

It was on Dec. 26, after the Hawks enjoyed a Christmas break, a 22-point lead against the Pistons was blow at Philips Arena. The Hawks survived in double overtime despite the play of Will Bynum, from Georgia Tech. The victory was part of the five wins in six games with Williams in the starting lineup.

Williams, listed at 6-foot-1, will again draw the defensive assignment of the Pistons’ 6-8 Kyle Singler. Singler was held scoreless in 14 minutes before making way for Bynum and his 31 points off the bench in the Pistons’ comeback.

Williams has averaged 14.4 points, 6.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds as a starter after going 173 career games with stepping on the floor with the first unit.

“It’s been a lot easier,” point guard Jeff Teague said. “He can score the basketball. At that 2-guard position you need a scorer. He takes a lot of pressure off all of us with his ability to score points.”

The Hawks will also be without guard Anthony Morrow (right hip strain) and center Johan Petro (stomach illness) against the Pistons. Neither player, along with Harris, traveled to Detroit Thursday. Morrow will miss his fourth straight game with his injury.

Center Al Horford (right hip contusion) did not practice Thursday but said he fully expects to play against the Pistons.

The Pistons have won three straight since the loss to the Hawks, including a victory over the Heat.

The Hawks spent Thursday’s practice reviewing schemes and assignments that were at issue in the Pistons’ big comeback.

“Their matchups are always tough for us because they are big and they are physical,” Drew said. “… It seems like they are playing with a new sense of pride. They are a team that can hurt you in a number of ways, with their size, with their speed, particularly their guards. (6-5 guard Rodney) Stuckey has always been a tough matchup for us because he has size and he’s strong and we don’t have a clear matchup against him. We try to combat that in different ways just to keep his numbers down.”

The Hawks return home Saturday to host the Celtics. On the season, the Hawks are an NBA-best 7-1 in the second game of back-to-backs.

- Chris Vivlamore

LATEST NEWS

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* Behind the scenes photo gallery

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* Drew looking for more minutes for Jenkins

* Hawks 95, Hornets 86

* Drew concerned Hawks settling for 3-pointers in transition

* Rockets 123, Hawks 104

* Smith returns to lineup

* Harris, Morrow not on trip to Houston

* Williams wants to remain starter

* Hawks 109, Pacers 100

* Smith out vs. Pacers

* Hawks 102, Cavaliers 94

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216 comments Add your comment

Rev in Tampa

January 4th, 2013
9:25 am

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
9:25 am

How many teams regularly reach the conference finals with 1-2 possible All-Stars? Not certain, no-doubt-about-it, always-gets-selected-All Stars but 1-2 if-things-go-right-All-Stars? You my have a single season when that happens, but do we want Dany Ferry planning to get us there once?

O'Brien

January 4th, 2013
9:53 am

Some of the SF free agents this coming off season?

Al Harrington
Richard Jefferson
Dorell Wright
Chandler Parsons
Corey Brewer
Chase Budinger
CJ Miles
Corey Maggette
Dominic McGuire
Matt Barnes
Linas Kleiza
Omri Casspi
Tobias Harris
Devin Ebanks
Josh Childress
Al-Farouq Aminu
Sam Young
Francisco Garcia

AJ,

You’re right. We are not one player away.

vava,

In my world, we trade Al for a legit SF or a legit SG, and sign Dwight in free agency.

vava74

January 4th, 2013
9:57 am

AJ,

A balanced team with no superstars but a cohesive set up CAN reach the ECF on a given year.

I said “quality product”, not actual championship contender, not that ECF was a certainty, merely a possibility.

I still think that JJ-Josh-Al under quality coaching could have reached the ECF and by quality coaching I am not talking about the obvious X’s and O’s traits that LD shows, but the ability to mould certain players’ behaviour and guide them to perform better with their skill set.

ALL 3 guys could use a mental revamp and ALL 3 would produce substantially more under a Phil Jackson / Pop/ Doc / Sloan / (maybe Thibs) type of guidance.

vava74

January 4th, 2013
9:59 am

OB,

Howard will NEVER sign for the ATL.

It’s the opposite of what he wants. He wants the limelight and CERTAINLY does not want his mother looking over his shoulder to check if finished his milk and ate all his cookies.

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
10:20 am

vava, I understand your point. But history shows us that you need at least one constant All-Star type player to be a consistent conference finals team. So while a strong ensemble cast with a great coach sounds like it would work on a consistent bases, I think that there are few examples of that type of squad.

An upgrade at the wing position would greatly improve our odds of being a consistent 2nd round team. As currently constructed, would you say the Hawks have an 80%+ chance of winning a 7 game series against any of the teams currently in the 4-7 slot (especially if all teams are close to full health)? I don’t.

http://espn.go.com/nba/standings

Slimjr

January 4th, 2013
10:38 am

“In my world, we trade Al for a legit SF or a legit SG, and sign Dwight in free agency.”

Looks like Big Ray and OB ARE ON THE SAME PAGE..They are realists, not “Haters”.

Its been 46 years of failures. Enough already!

Mike is Back

January 4th, 2013
10:44 am

CV, I think the Hawks will face a different Piston team, than the one they beat in double OT. The Piston have won three straight since that loss to the Hawks…including a win over the Heat. The second unit of the Piston causes me the greatest concern.

After the Piston beat the Heat…they were talking about how disappointing the loss to the Hawks was…they are probably looking forward to this game.

I expect a tougher game in the rematch…If the Hawks come out with no energy to start the game…and the 3s aren’t falling…this one could get ugly!!

TIGHTEN UP THAT PERIMITER DEFENSE…GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ag

January 4th, 2013
11:03 am

The biggest problem with the Hawks is we just don’t have anyone who is consistent. Also, a quality wing is harder to find than a quality center. I still would like the Hawks to make some moves. I would like to trade with Minny to bring Derrick Williams to ATL, – and maybe trade Morrow and Stephenson.

doc

January 4th, 2013
11:07 am

Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
10:38 am

“In my world, we trade Al for a legit SF or a legit SG, and sign Dwight in free agency.”

Looks like Big Ray and OB ARE ON THE SAME PAGE..They are realists, not “Haters”.

Its been 46 years of failures. Enough already!

or we keep em both and sign chris paul.

of course the chances of getting howard or paul are about the same, somewhere between slim and none.

df dont listen to these guys and follow your heart to getting good basketball players that play well as a team and desire excellence more than notoriety. spurs way or nugget way. we arent going to run with the celt, heat, laker, knock, net, clip money. no chance at that so we gotta find a better way.

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
11:13 am

ag, at this point, “consistent” and Derrick Williams are terms that don’t go together.

Big Ray

January 4th, 2013
11:15 am

Buddy Grizzard ,

“Noah’s claim is more legit than Chandler’s any day.”

Seen the standings lately?

That’s why it’s called “opinion.”

Yeah, I’ve seen the standings.

I’ve also seen that Joakim Noah is doing his thing WITHOUT Derrick Rose.

And Chandler is doing his WITH a lot more talent (start with Melo and go from there).

I know what goes into the voting for the ASG. Noah is doing more individually, no matter how you slice it. But he won’t get there ahead of Chandler.

Big Ray

January 4th, 2013
11:18 am

SteveW ,

Good posts, good points. We are indeed two above-average starters away from where we want to be.

Don’t know if we can get them.

Najeh ,

Josh and Al do play well together most of the time (these days anyhow). We still need more talent. Certain talent, if you’re going to get it, requires trading one of these guys, I think. Again…I only think so, I don’t KNOW so.

I’ll trust Danny Ferry to do the right thing, though.

Rod from College Park

January 4th, 2013
11:19 am

I think the best move for the Hawks at the deadline is to go after a wing like Corey Magette. Swap Morrow or Korver (I would prefer to keep Korver) and get us a legit 3 who can defend, knock down the open 3 and ATTACK THE RIM. That is our best option at this time. Richard Jefferson would be another good option for this team. A guy who attacks the rim first, and gets to the line at a high rate would balance this particular team. There are not any centers except Dwight, and maybe Jefferson that would tremendously help this team. I also am a big fan of Derrick Favors. If Utah is not willing to give him more time anytime soon, I would consider trying to trade anyone on this roster besides Josh Smith to get him. He reminds me more of a young Tim Duncan and has the length, size and post moves to man the center spot for the next couple of years.

newkid

January 4th, 2013
11:38 am

C-Viv, pardon my asking, but what exactly is it about Devin Harris’ foot injury that demands such a seemingly long period of recovery? Can you provide some insight on his injury history at previous stops? Is he perhaps afflicted with ‘Speedy-itus’ (i.e., habitually fragile)? If so, how do you see this affliction affecting his trade value at the deadline?

thx

Slimjr

January 4th, 2013
11:43 am

Derrick Favors for Morrow, Devin and a 2nd rd pick?

Fascinating…

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
11:44 am

Rod, Jefferson and Millsap are both UFAs so Utah won’t likely trade Favors when they can go younger and cheaper with Favors and Kanter. Not to mention that neither Millsap or Jefferson are capable of leading that team to the 2nd round… so why continue to pay them big salaries?

Maggette is an expiring contract so we may have to offer more than just an exchange of expiring deals to acquire him. Richard Jefferson’s deal expires after the ‘13-14 year. Unless you’re trading Horford for him (a colossally bad trade for the Hawks), his acquisition would take away valuable cap space to go after an elite free agent.

This is a transition year… the biggest mistake Ferry could make is exchanging the summer’s cap space for a 2nd round playoff exit.

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
11:50 am

newkid, I suspect that Morrow doesn’t want to be traded and will be remarkably healthly after the trade deadline. It will be the ony way he gets a long-term free agent deal this summer. Devin, on the other hand, I think is just brittle. Too bad, I was beginning to warm up to the way he moved without the ball (although I hated to watch him as a starter).

keith

January 4th, 2013
11:56 am

Big Ray
January 3rd, 2013
8:35 pm

Josh Smith missed the Indiana game, albeit only 1 game, i saw a much different Basketball team. Everything, and i mean everything had a flow or rhythm to it. It was the 1st time this season that i saw the Atlanta Hawks play “pragamatic , common sense, team basketball.

There was no “Hero Ball.” Everyone played within their own “skill-set.” No one forced anything.
It also made med believe that Zaza can be a starter in this league………

JOSH SMITH..is a TREMENDOUS talent, however, i do not think he is the right fit for this Basketball team going forward!!!

JOSH SMITH = DENNIS RODMAN…..Josh would be the 4th or 5th option on my Basketball
team… DENNIS RODMAN was smart enough to know his role and play to his strengths!!!

keith

January 4th, 2013
12:01 pm

Slimjr
January 4th, 2013
11:43 am

Derrick Favors for Morrow, Devin and a 2nd rd pick?

Fascinating…

GREAT IDEA….Would the Utah Jazz be willing to take Devin back??? Derrick Favors can probably play the 3,4, and 5 positions on any Basketball Team!!!

I watched Favors play several nights ago, and concluded that he is one guy in this league, besides Melo, who can give LEBRON problems without help?

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
12:10 pm

I think a more reasonable hope/expectation is that we keep a least one roster slot open and when lottery bound teams start buying out vets, we can sign someone from that list. I’m thinking about Martell Webster.

Just don’t expect Ferry to use cap space for a marginal upgrade at SF.

And stop with the Favors nonsense.

Rod from College Park

January 4th, 2013
12:12 pm

Astro Joe,

I’m not one who cares about cap space. If we are not getting Dwight or Chris Paul cap space means nothing. Dwight is still an option, Chris Paul is not. Bottom line is Josh and Al(to a certain extent) are second teir stars in this league. Only a handful of guys in the league better than them. Most of them are not available, and if they are available they are older guys. If we can’t get Dwight, cap space means zilch. We will have to resign Teague, Re-up Josh, resign the Korvers…. and cap space is gone again, and we are in the same situation. Help me understand what elite free agents you are talking about? The mistake you are making is continuing to say this is a transition year, If we are in the top three seeds at the break, the transition stuff should go out the window, and competing for a title should be the main goal.

“Rod, Jefferson and Millsap are both UFAs so Utah won’t likely trade Favors when they can go younger and cheaper with Favors and Kanter. Not to mention that neither Millsap or Jefferson are capable of leading that team to the 2nd round… so why continue to pay them big salaries?”

Same reason the Hawks pay Al and Josh big salaries, same reason Boston pays Rondo, Garnett and Pierce big salaries, same reason Kobe,Gasol and Dwight, same reason, Melo, Chandler, same reason Rose, Deng, and Noah get big salaries……. Somebody has to pay you, and everyone in the league can’t win the championship.

The Truth

January 4th, 2013
12:24 pm

While all of the chatter on this blog seem to continue to be whether DF should trade trade Josh or Al to upgrade, the real under the radar trade may end up being Jeff Teague.

“I mean we tried but you know it didn’t work out,” Teague told HOOPSWORLD. “[The numbers] didn’t match up. But you know it’s a little more motivation to go out there and try to prove to them that I deserve the things I was looking for and try to make the best of it.”

http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-sunday-teague-motivated-by-contract-snub/

If JT falls short of expectation per LD’s input (being how he likes PG so much), DF may feel compel to upgrade here first then pay Josh and then acquire a Sf. I’m noticing how Lou is emerging as a possibility to be the Alpha Dog at PG. If that plays out, Teague could become a trade chip.

SteveW

January 4th, 2013
12:30 pm

Derrick favors and enes kanter remain untouchable according to hoopshype rumors. They post about it periodically. With Jefferson and Millsap ufa after this season, no doubt that’s why.

If we could get favors, he is in fact the man that has the potential to greatly help us.

OB – thanks for depressing me with that list of fa sfs.

SteveW

January 4th, 2013
12:31 pm

I’m not sure why we can’t start ZaZa at c and Lou at sg. Bring kk off the bench

cdog

January 4th, 2013
12:32 pm

the hawks will be undefeated this weekend if they attack the inside first, limit za za pachulia minutes on floor, play defense smart and intensely, move their feet on defense, box out which pachulia won’t.keep kyle korver outside and josh smith and al hortford establish themselves inside and on defense.don’t rely on three pointers so much.use bench especially john jenkins, tolliver, and devin harris if hes available. jeff terague play hard and smart on both end and limit his dribbling too much.lets win hawks

Slimjr

January 4th, 2013
12:32 pm

” The mistake you are making is continuing to say this is a transition year, If we are in the top three seeds at the break, the transition stuff should go out the window, and competing for a title should be the main goal.”

Bells Ringing 3x’s!!!!! Bingo..

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
12:35 pm

Rod, aren’t you the one who always says the Hawks are losers because they don’t win the title? Aren’t you the one who believes Atlanta fans are to soft because we accept something less than the golden trophy? So it is bad for a team to lose but it is okay for players to get paid for non-winning results?

If the Hawks had young guys to develop at a cheaper rate who could get us as far (like Utah does), I wouldn’t trade the younger guys for anything. It would be like keeping Devin and trading Teague… that makes ZERO sense. Utah isn’t going to keep Millsap or Jefferson and trade Favors. If they do, that suggets to me that they know something about Favors and his true potential (or lack thereof).

Cap space can be used for more tan free agents. We obtained Kyle Korver because of cap space/trade exception.

If we’re not going to maintain the flexibility to acquire an elite free agent in the summer, why did we trade a 6-time All-Star wing player for stale donuts?

O'Brien

January 4th, 2013
12:56 pm

I am cool with the Hawks trying to preserve their cap space for the summer, because I really don’t see any trade partner being available that would give us the piece(s) needed to beat Miami in a 7 game series this season.

Use the cap space to attract an impact FA over the summer, resign Josh (for the right price), and possibly have multiple first round picks (and depending on how the season plays out, maybe even a new HC). If those things happen, we will be locked and loaded for next season.

That being said, my concern is what’s the backup plan assuming we miss out on CP3 and Dwight. And with the new CBA and the elimination of the 5th year in sign and trade deals, we will be hard pressed to attract free agents, since they will have to leave money on the table to come play for the Hawks.

O'Brien

January 4th, 2013
1:02 pm

Number of games missed per season since Devin Harris came into the league.

6, 16, 2, 43, 57, 13, 18, 11, 3 and 10 games missed this season. But I will gladly take him over Marvin.

SteveW

January 4th, 2013
1:08 pm

Jeff Teague 30 game grade:

19th in scoring among PGs

10th in assists (who’d a thunk?)

11th in steals

So Jeff’s what, maybe a top 15 pg in the league right now? Top 10 in assist, wow, that’s a surprise.

Good job Jeff.

PS – Jeff averages more assists per game than steph curry, playing alot less mpg than curry.

O'Brien

January 4th, 2013
1:09 pm

Andy Reid is the new KC Chiefs HC. And the GM is out, which means Andy Reid will have more say in personnel decisions (imo).

I can see it now. Vick to KC on a 2 year deal, Chiefs try and trade out of the #1 pick to take a QB later in the first round. but nobody trades with them, so they use the #1 pick on a lineman, and use their second round pick (or trade back into the late 1st round) to pick up a QB to learn behind Vick for a year.

Rod from College Park

January 4th, 2013
1:14 pm

“Rod, aren’t you the one who always says the Hawks are losers because they don’t win the title? Aren’t you the one who believes Atlanta fans are to soft because we accept something less than the golden trophy? So it is bad for a team to lose but it is okay for players to get paid for non-winning results?”

I am, but I still realize thast the NBA is a business. Only one team can win the championship, but the other teams need to be building to win it. The other side of the business is that you have to be able to fill the arena’s up. In a place like Utah, where they actually go to the home games and fill up the arena nightly, having big name guys such as Jefferson and Millsap might be what gets their fans to the arena every night. Don’t know what would happen out there if they tried to do it on the cheap, because they never have. Utah is a totally different market, for obvious reasons, and you have to do what’s best for your market. Just like in Atlanta. Atlanta fans would fill up Phillips every night with a star on the level of Lebron, Iverson, D.Wade, Melo, no matter the record. It is what it is. I don’t see the superstar angle or the big ticket free agent coming here unless it’s Dwight, and the door is cracked on that. I think we will have to go the San Antonio route and build a solid team, with numerous weapons in order to win. Cap space is fantasyland.

SteveW

January 4th, 2013
1:14 pm

All I’m saying is, with the available fa options, if we could get Hickson and Monta as FA’s, while keeping josh, Ivan, ZaZa, and Jeff, with al, Lou and jj2 under contract, that gets us closer to a ’ship.

And with possibly two more 1st picks, good things look to be happening.

And if Brooklyn tanks, we can switch our picks in 2014 and 15 for maybe lottery picks, we’ll see

SteveW

January 4th, 2013
1:16 pm

OB – Colin cowherd? On the radio was just raving about aaron murray. Thinks he’s better than brees. He may be available later for kc

Rod from College Park

January 4th, 2013
1:17 pm

I personlly think Horford would be a star in Utah. The fans would love him. Perfect fit team for him.

keith

January 4th, 2013
1:20 pm

GREG ODEN…..WANTS TO PLAY BASKETBALL AGAIN…..

Greg Oden probably will be healthy enough to play basketball again this summer? Is he worth the risk? Vet. Minimum 2 year deal???

keith

January 4th, 2013
1:32 pm

I would trade…Jeff Teague, Anthony Morrow…and Al Horford for Al Jefferson amd Derrick Favors!!!

With Favors and Jefferson…we could legitimately compete with the Miami Heat and New York Knicks…

BIG DOG

January 4th, 2013
1:47 pm

Why would you trade Horford 2 Utah, I BE DAM

Hawks 20 wins and 10 loss

Jazz 16 wins and 17 loss

SMH

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

Grandad

January 4th, 2013
1:47 pm

Posted ny Najeh @ 3;50 am

” the Hawks have outscored opponents
by a mammoth 10 points per 100 possessions
over the 180-plus minutes in which
Smith, Horford, and Zaza Pachulia
have shared the floor, per NBA.com.”

” 180 minutes is not nearly enough for that lineup.
For all the good things LD has done this year,
I’d like to see a lot more of the big lineup going forward.”
____________________________________________

Posted by G`Dad @ 11:51 pm

” Which is why the (+/-) stat is such a valuable tool.
*[used within five man combinations]
It gives a reading on how the Team is functioning;
“one” with four others.”

” I say none of this to counter your argument.
If anything, I`m confounded at the lack of integration of Za
into the first rotation more often:
(playing alongside Al, Josh, Korv) …………………………….”
_____________________________________________

Thanks for the support Naj !

Great Minds ! … heh heh

keith

January 4th, 2013
1:51 pm

SteveW
January 4th, 2013
1:16 pm

Cowherd just lost a lot of CREDIBILITY…. Aaron Murray “is a SCRUB”, was a SCRUB,” and always will be “A SCRUB”!!! OK!!!!

I simply hope that this young man, ” Aaron Murray” leaves the UGA, so that the BETTER talent behind him can play!!!!!!!!

BIG DOG

January 4th, 2013
1:54 pm

Just be patient for free agent market and sign D12

2013 Could be a possibility for Hawks

Josh, Horford, D12

OR

Josh, Horford, AL Jefferson

This could be the Hawks Frontline coming next season.

Hope Danny has a Beautiful idea on what 2 come.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

keith

January 4th, 2013
1:57 pm

BIG DOG
January 4th, 2013
1:47 pm

Why would you trade Horford 2 Utah, I BE DAM

I WOULD RATHER TRADE JOSH SMITH, HOWEVER, HIS EXPIRING CONTRACT MAY MAKE HIM UNTRADABLE IN TERMS OF ACQUIRING EQUAL VALUE……

Rev in Tampa

January 4th, 2013
2:06 pm

“Cap space is fantasyland.”

So is bringing a NBA championship to Atlanta. But that is the goal. If cap space brings that goal closer then I’m all for it.

Come Home, Dwight!

BIG DOG

January 4th, 2013
2:07 pm

Keith – Just be patient Hawks will have a boat load of money coming this off season.

Keep the core and ADD not SUBTRACT.

Teague, Korver, Lou, Jenkins, Josh, Horford, Zaza, Big Dog Ivan, Morrow

And Add D12 or Jefferson

Hawks will contend for title.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

BIG DOG

January 4th, 2013
2:11 pm

2013 Hawks

Teague, Korver, Josh, Horford, D12 OR Jefferson

Lou, Jenkins, Morrow, Big Dog Ivan, Zaza

Hawks win NBA Title.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

keith

January 4th, 2013
2:18 pm

UP NEXT…DETROIT..BOSTON…MINNESOTA “GOOD JOSH” or ” BAD JOSH”???

Will we go 3-0 or 0-3? Next 3 games are bad match-ups for us…I will be watching Josh Smith’s production closely…I think the other guys will be fine. Can Josh “Cowboy-up”, Man-up” Pony-up” and give us “3 STRONG PERFORMANCES”?????

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
2:20 pm

Rod & OB, you can trade Horford th e moement you know that Dwight or CP3 aren’t signing with the Hawks. That is “Plan B”. You can spend your cap space on OJ Mayo. Because of the cap space, you could trade Lou Williams to a team that needs some salary relief and take back a $10M player. You could also sign & trade Zaza for a higher salaried player if the team needs salary relief. There are options to explore if an elite free agent refuses to come. But, IMO, there isn’t likely a trade that can be madethat is worth removing yourself from even hosting Dwight or CP3 at a recruiting dinner on July 1st. It is hard for me to believe that Ferry can’t get us marginally better in February (and lose cap space) but can’t get us marginally better in late July (if we fail to sign an elite free agent). A marginal increase in talent can be achieved both in the next 6 weeks OR during the summer. But a significant increase in talent is likely only possible with cap space this summer.

Astro Joe

January 4th, 2013
2:24 pm

Steve, Monta Ellis? How many short shoot-first guards are you trying to acquire for the Hawks? We don;t need Ellis AND Lou and be in a position where we are short at SG for every minute of the game. That’s CRAZY.

Slimjr

January 4th, 2013
2:25 pm

Love goes for 30 and 20 against the Hawks..

Who’s going to stop him Al?