LIVE DRAFT BLOG: Hawks have a few hours to wait (UPDATE: Hawks expected to get Jordan Crawford in trade)
Derrick Favors gets a few interviews out of the way before heading to . . . New Jersey?
(UPDATE: 9:45 p.m. The Hawks drafted Texas forward Damion James with the 24th pick in the draft. But they are going to complete a trade with the New Jersey Nets for the 27th pick, Jordan Crawford of Xavier, and the 31st pick. Getting a Crawford is huge for the Hawks because he gives them bench scoring. He had a great NCAA tournament and he’s also the player who dunked on LeBron James in a summer camp last year. I’ll be posting a new column soon.)
Welcome to generally the scariest day in Atlanta Hawks’ history, and we speak of course of . . . the . . . draft! (Cue organ music . . . thunder clap . . . loud shrieks from the top of the stair case.)
OK, OK. Actually, things have gotten better in recent years with the drafts of Al Horford, Josh Smith, to a lesser degree Josh Childress, and potentially Jeff Teague. But the ugly history, which includes No. 1 picks like Shelden Williams, Cal Bowdler, Roshown McLeod, Ed Gray and Priest Lauderdale — and the non-drafting of Chris Paul — is tough to overcome.
I’ll be blogging live through the draft, so if you have any questions throw them at me. In the mean time, here are a few items of interest:
♦ Sorry, no Chris Paul (we think): Despite rumors flying of his possible availability — which were given an extra kick when he said he was open to a deal – New Orleans owner George Shinn released a statement, saying: “”We are about building and sustaining a winning tradition. Chris Paul is the cornerstone of our franchise and brings us unequaled support on and off the court. We will continue to build around Chris Paul, and we want to see him in a Hornets uniform for the remainder of his career.”
It’s worth noting that the words, “We will not trade Chris Paul,” aren’t in the statement. New Orleans Times-Picayune’s John DeShazier has a terrific column summarizing this sensitive topic with the Hornets. And yeah, I’m still wondering how a Josh Smith-for-Paul swap could re-shape the Hawks.
♦ Our projected top 5 picks: 1.) Washington: John Wall, PG, Kentucky. 2.) Philadelphia: Evan Turner, SG, Ohio State. 3.) New Jersey: Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech; 4) Minnesota: Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse. 5. Sacramento: DeMarcus Cousins, C-PF, Kentucky.
♦ Six names for the Hawks: It’s almost impossible to project the Hawks’ pick because they draft 24th and they don’t seem focused on one specific position. But here are a few names to look at: Xavier shooting guard Jordan Crawford, Florida State center Solomon Alabi, Marshall center Hassan Whiteside, France power forward Kevin Seraphin, Kentucky point guard Eric Bledsoe, South Florida shooting guard Dominique Jones.
♦ There are reports out of Greece that Josh Childress may sign an offer sheet with the Washington Wizards, which would set up a sign-and-trade scenario with the Hawks. But that report hasn’t been confirmed and general manager Rick Sund won’t be available for comment until after the Hawks pick.
♦ Your free agency fix: Former Tech star Chris Bosh stated the obvious: That LeBron James will be the first domino to fall in this free agency class: “Am I waiting on LeBron? Pretty much. I think everyone has to. I have to as well. … He’s a great player and I would be crazy to think that all the teams that are considering him, they would talk to somebody else first. I think everybody is going to be going at him first.”
That’s it for now. Check back later.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
♦
Last five posts on instant replay (no charge)
♦ Dudley gives Thrashers needed jolt in short amount of time
♦ Fredi Gonzalez fired — and Braves should hire him now
♦ Michael Turner finally admitting the obvious: He was fat
♦ Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?)
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561 comments Add your comment
AW
June 24th, 2010
10:33 pm
So New Jersey made that pick for the Hawks who then shipped it to OKC? What do the Hawks get?
Scott
June 24th, 2010
10:33 pm
Oh, cash I see. Whooppieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Cedrick (Oklahoma Thunder-->Former Hawk Fan)
June 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
HAHAHAHAAHAHA !!!! Can you now say the Sports Illustrated article is right about the Spirit Group!! They are not committed to winning anything!!! Lets go Thunder!!!!
Humanhighlightreel
June 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
What can be expected at pick 53, does Jon Koncak have a son old enough to draft
Max
June 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
So why not just draft Crawford at 24 in the first place?
J.J.M.
June 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
so instead of getting to players that could help us they trade this player for cash? assuming that we can use this cash to re sign joe johnson? good night people
Manny
June 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
That Tibor Pleiss kid looked really green. He looked like he couldn’t help an NBA team for another 2 or 3 years. This kid will be playing in Europe next season.
That’s why he’s not going to be a Hawk.
Harry Hawk
June 24th, 2010
10:34 pm
Remember how we once drafted a guy who was known as “the Michael Jordan of France”?
I forget the guy’s name, but he has led the NBA in scoring every year since we picked him in the second round. Great player. Can’t argue with the pick.
J.J.M.
June 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
exactly@max
Humanhighlightreel
June 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
Is it possible for the Spirit to give control of the Hawks to the owner of the Atlanta Dream
cheshire
June 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
i’m not saying it’s a good move or a bad move, i’m just confused.
so we traded our first pick to the Nets for Crawford and the 31st pick… then we got Pleiss with the 31st pick and sold it to OKC for cash? is that correct?
the only thing i can figure is that this is to clear some cap room? maybe to get a solid free agent? am i just wishful thinking now?? haha
Huh????
June 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
How much cash??????
Dawg Fan in Grayson
June 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
OKC sends a few $$. Spirit group just handcuffs Sund or anyone dumb enough to work for them. Fired the HC and hired the assist. coach..economic move. NBA should make them sell the franchise.
True 5
June 24th, 2010
10:35 pm
cause we needed cash bunch of cheap basterds
Whopper Dawg
June 24th, 2010
10:36 pm
Jeff, what the hell??
So, we essentially swapped picks with Jersey and traded down for nothing????????
Now that is the Hawks I know and love. No wonder I was in a state of disbelief when the trade first happened.
To one of the prior posters, Sund has just gone from an idiot to a genius and back to an idiot. All in minutes – poof, like that.
Gwinnett Fred
June 24th, 2010
10:36 pm
So what if we get a couple million for the trade to entice spending more to keep JJ?????
cheshire
June 24th, 2010
10:37 pm
lol – Max, i was just wondering the same thing. unless we just got an insane amount of $ from OKC for the 31 pick (which i’m seriously doubting), why not just take Crawford at 24 and call it a night? what was the point of all the maneuvering?
D Hawks
June 24th, 2010
10:37 pm
My opinion of Sund is right where it was prior to the draft. I think he’s doing a good job considering all the circumstances. Lack of budget, lack of cap space, lack of draft position. He’s acquired one player at a need position in a lower draft slot when all the rumors have had the Hawks selling off the first round pick completely.
Scott
June 24th, 2010
10:37 pm
I got a trade for you guys.
New Jersey gets:
Josh Smith
Al Horford
Mike Bibby
The Atlanta Spirit
The Hawks get:
Russian Billionaire Owner
Make it happen Sund!! We are desperate. We still have one pick left.
Cedrick (Oklahoma Thunder-->Former Hawk Fan)
June 24th, 2010
10:37 pm
Where are you Jeff??? What you had to pick your mouth up off the ground after that last pick and selling his rights to OKC.. Good Lawd OKC is making the moves we should be making!!!! At this rate this team will be sold by the end of next year because of te REAL lack of attendance!
Texas Pete
June 24th, 2010
10:38 pm
LOL, ESPN.com doesn’t even have info on this Pleiss of crap! Sund found a way to screw it up unless he knows something we don’t.
Ryan
June 24th, 2010
10:39 pm
I have never heard fans so G*D* WHINY about a 53 win team.
cheshire
June 24th, 2010
10:39 pm
it just kind of scares me that we may be looking at a scenario where our wildest dreams coming true = re-signing Joe Johnson. i mean if that’s all that happens this offseason, that’s gonna suck.
Woody's goatee
June 24th, 2010
10:39 pm
Al Horford won two rings at Florida playing center.
Even if Al isn’t a 5, Smoov sure isn’t a 3. Your small forward should be able to shoot from the perimeter (Josh is cringe-worthy from beyond the arc). Sure Josh can play excellent defense, but he would absolutely kill an offense by playing on the wing full time.
We didn’t get beat because of our lack of size inside, we got beat because the idiot whose face I’m attached to couldn’t conceive an offense capable of utilizing our unique matchup. Orlando has size… so they use their size. We had superior athleticism and speed but decided not to use it.
Ryan
June 24th, 2010
10:40 pm
Excuse me ‘fans’
I forgot the quotes.
Manny
June 24th, 2010
10:40 pm
I would like to see a trade w/ the Wizards for Solomon Alabi. He’s a child, but a man-child.
Hawkeye
June 24th, 2010
10:40 pm
@ Woody’s Goatee – just because you get a bigger body to play against bigger players on defense doesnt mean you have to change Horfords offensive role. You act like you can’t have Josh Smith coming off the bench. I don’t want Josh or Marvin shooting 3s. Everyone is so caught up on Center or 4 or 5. It is about size. Horford cant stop bigger players in the paint on defense in the playoffs.
@Freshmaker – you sound like a Braves fan. The regular season, the regular season. I don’t care about the regular season, what about in the “playoffs.” The Celtics were still playing and the Hawks weren’t.
cheshire
June 24th, 2010
10:41 pm
D Hawks, i totally agree. I like Sund a lot and i think he’s doing the best he can under the circumstances
Mr.Phil
June 24th, 2010
10:41 pm
Another Pick sold for cash?I need a capologist What are teams getting for this in the end?.
Dawg Fan in Grayson
June 24th, 2010
10:41 pm
Ryan, you must be new to the area…..ATL fans are dying for a championship not just a 53 win team.
N.D.T.K.A.
June 24th, 2010
10:41 pm
Now we can all watch as Sacramento takes Whiteside, and watch as Alabi, Brackins, and all the other bigs float off the board!! Priceless!!
Mr.Phil
June 24th, 2010
10:42 pm
Washington just chose pneumonia?
Ryan
June 24th, 2010
10:42 pm
no. Been here since 86. But ‘wanting a championship’ doesn’t make being ridiculous any more reasonable.
Whopper Dawg
June 24th, 2010
10:43 pm
It is embarrassing to be a Hawks fan. Now I know how the fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates feel.
The Hawks desperately need new owners.
Let’s see, hire an assistant for HC to save cash, sell off draft picks to generate cash, Smith moves on if he has any sense. Man, I can see those season tickets start to fly off the shelf.
Too bad, they had shot a building something.
Ryan
June 24th, 2010
10:44 pm
Been here since 86, but being whiny is being whiny, whatever it is you want.
The team has made steady progress from being absolutely HORRID. Just how many teams do you think win the championship every year?
Hawkeye
June 24th, 2010
10:44 pm
Newsflash – everything is going to be alright now, Woody is gone. Yeah right.
dap01
June 24th, 2010
10:44 pm
Idiots.
the hawks are idiots. Jeff, please explain this to us. What was the whole trade about, why not take Whiteside. The Hawks are idiots.
Ryan
June 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
Like WHopper Dawg’s comment. SHeez.
cheshire
June 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
Ryan, you have to understand that you’re talking about a franchise that hasn’t been a championship contender in the almost 50 years they’ve been in Atlanta. People don’t care about winning games in the regular season, nor should they… people want to know their team can occassionally play for a championship, and Hawks fans have never had that.
Yeah, they won 53 games, but they may as well have won 23… there is an elite group of teams in the NBA that compete for championships and the Hawks are nowhere near it right now. People want to see them progress to getting in that group for once, and we’re not seeing it.
I don’t think that’s being a bad fan… it’s just expecting your franchise to give you something to cheer for and stop being irrelevant for the first time in 50 years. And right now, even with 53 wins, we’re not relevant.
Jerry West
June 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
the Hawks just sold a player that wasn’t even gonna come to the NBA and take a roster space/ cap room this year. and one that was coveted by OKC, proven talented evaluators. think about that for a moment. are they THAT hard up for $$$$?
Scott
June 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
Rumors are flying around that Larry Drew will hire Mike Woody as his top assistant. Another cheap move by the Atlanta Spirit!
Ryan
June 24th, 2010
10:45 pm
Drama queens over a SECOND ROUND PICK.
N.D.T.K.A.
June 24th, 2010
10:46 pm
Jeff give us some analysis of this move by the Hawks, please?
Stan
June 24th, 2010
10:46 pm
Jeff…..Seriously…can we get an update???????
Boycott Hawks (Oklahoma Thunder-->Former Hawk Fan)
June 24th, 2010
10:46 pm
Well, Hawk fans welcome back you paper bag faces cause thie team minus Joe Johnson is on there wasy back down to the seller. I don’t think there is a chance in hell the Joe Johnson will come back to the team after what we have been watching them do today in the draft! We have a team with all guards and forwards with one 7footer. WOW!!! Goodbye to a chance at getting better or making it back to the playoffs next year!!
man
June 24th, 2010
10:46 pm
that was so stupid! WHY NOT JUST PICK A BIG MAN WE WANTED! THERE HAS TO BE MORE TO COME. COME ON!!!
coach smith
June 24th, 2010
10:47 pm
I don’t know what you all are talking about! Looks like it was a simple trade and the Hawks are getting Crawford! Don’t know where you all are getting that the Hawks sold that pick?
Ryan
June 24th, 2010
10:47 pm
Yup. THat second round pick was going to propel us to the promised land.
Dawg Fan in Grayson
June 24th, 2010
10:48 pm
86? Just a baby….I hope 30 years from now you are still hoping for a championship. You then will understand the frustration some of us experience.
jackets 5
June 24th, 2010
10:48 pm
We need to start looking for a little help from the FA market. Labrone might be a good move for the Hawks to make. Maybe trade Bibby to Cleveland for him or take some of the cap money available to the Thrashers and put it towards getting him. I am excited to see what Coach Curtis brings to the team and if he can get Josh Smith’s jump shot falling. Go Hawks!