Atlanta Hawks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Hawks Sign Isma’il Muhammad

October 1st, 2012 at 2:50pm CST by Luke Adams

The Hawks have added former Georgia Tech forward Isma'il Muhammad to their training camp roster, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution (via Twitter). Muhammad is the 19th player under contract for the Hawks.

Muhammad was considered a solid defender and an outstanding dunker during his days at Georgia Tech. The 29-year-old graduated back in 2005, but was in an NBA camp as recently as last December — he was waived by the Bobcats just a few days before the season started.

With 14 players on fully or partially guaranteed contracts in Atlanta, and guys like Damion James and James Anderson expected to compete for the 15th spot, I'd expect Muhammad to be an extra body in camp, rather than a real candidate to earn a roster spot.

Southeast Rumors: Hawks, Wallace, Lewis, Bobcats

September 30th, 2012 at 12:17pm CST by Chuck Myron

There was plenty of change throughout the Southeast Division, as the Magic, Hawks and Wizards pulled off significant trades while the Heat upgraded with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. The Bobcats are banking heavily on No. 2 overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to help turn the team around, and we have news on him and others from around the division.

Some in the Heat organization are concerned about the long-term health of Dwyane Wade, who could miss all of the team's preseason games as he hopes to get his ailing left knee ready for the regular season opener, writes Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald. The team will give Allen occasional off days during the regular season, as the Spurs have done with Tim Duncan, Goodman adds.

Earlier updates:

Hawks coach Larry Drew believes it will be a tall order for his team to replace the production of Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams this season, as Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes. "Both of those guys were very key and big pieces to our puzzle," Drew said. "This opens up opportunities for new guys, guys who have been here, guys who are coming in. It doesn’t happen overnight. We are going to have to lace it up and really go to work and try to, as a team, try to step up. Everybody has to step their game up now."
Vivlamore also shares in his piece that Drew isn't sure how he'll rotate guards Devin Harris, Jeff Teague and Lou Williams. Harris and Teague, the two natural point guards, are both entering contract years.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel speculates that Ben Wallace could be a fit for the Heat. Wallace is reportedly seeking a contract after going back-and-forth about retirement this summer.
Lewis hopes he'll start the season as a reserve instead of as a starter for the Heat, as he told Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida (Sulia link).
Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap is working with Kidd-Gilchrist to improve the shooting touch of the University of Kentucky product, writes Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader. Tipton also shares praise from Purdue coach Matt Painter about Hornets second-round pick Darius Miller and Shelvin Mack, who could start the season at point guard for the Wizards in place of the injured John Wall.
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel outlines a list of the top priorities for the Magic as they begin training camp.

Extension Candidate: Josh Smith

September 29th, 2012 at 8:10pm CST by Zachary Links

For eight seasons in Atlanta, Josh Smith has been a key part of the franchise through its stronger seasons (see: 2007/08-present) and it's less-than-stellar years (see: all three years preceding that). However, Smith hasn't always had the smoothest relationship with the Hawks' front office. A week prior to this year's trade deadline, the forward made it known that he wanted out in order to get a fresh start on his career. Smith stopped short of rehashing his trade demand in late May, but his comments didn't read like someone who wanted to play for the Hawks beyond his walk year in 2012/13. Those, of course, are just the most prominent stories of Smith's dissatisfaction with the club during the Hoops Rumors era – it's hard to remember a recent season in which Smith didn't have some degree of friction with the Hawks.

However, he seems to have turned a corner as General Manager Danny Ferry says that Smith is now open to a long-term future in Atlanta. Smith is set to earn $13.2MM in 2012/13 and on the surface would appear to be in line for a lucrative long-term extension after establishing career-highs in points (18.8 PPG) and rebounds (9.6 RPG). The durable forward also turned in another healthy and productive season, starting in all 66 regular season games. However, the collective bargaining agreement prevents Smith from securing an extension longer than three years.

Will Smith's rekindled love for the Hawks make him want to forfeit the opportunity for a four- or five-year commitment next summer? It's possible, but even Ferry doesn't like his chances of making that happen as he intimated that a new deal probably wouldn't be worked out until next summer. Regardless, the Hawks can be expected to try their best to get Smith to agree to a three-year pact at a team friendly price of ~$45MM. If not, Smith can put his toe in the water this time next year and stand out in a class of power forwards that will also include the likes of Paul Millsap and David West.

Hawks Sign Keith Benson, Carldell Johnson

September 28th, 2012 at 1:50pm CST by Luke Adams

The Hawks have officially announced their training camp roster, and as Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes, there are some new names on the list. In additions to signings we'd heard about before, such as James Anderson, Anthony Tolliver, and Damion James, the team has also added Keith Benson and Carldell Johnson to its camp roster.

Benson, 24, was the 48th overall pick in the 2011 draft, but didn't earn a spot on the Hawks' roster. The 6'11" big man ended up playing 20 games for the Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 15.2 PPG and 7.8 RPG, and also signed a 10-day contract with the Warriors late in the season. He appeared in just three games for Golden State, playing limited minutes.

Johnson, 29, has played over 200 D-League games for the Austin Toros since going undrafted in 2006. The 5'10" point guard known as Squeaky finally made his NBA debut last season for the Hornets, appearing in 15 contests for New Orleans.

Benson and Johnson both figure to be on non-guaranteed deals, and it's unlikely either player will end up on Atlanta's regular season roster. While the team does have at least one open roster spot, with 14 players on fully or partially guaranteed contracts, I'd expect Anderson and James to have a leg up on Benson and Johnson for that final spot.

Bulls To Sign Kyrylo Fesenko

September 26th, 2012 at 9:47pm CST by Chuck Myron

9:47pm: K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune notes that the Bulls, who have $758,550 left to spend, could sign another player at the veteran's minimum once it pro-rates to that amount in late November (Twitter link). Mark Deeks of ShamSports suggests via Twitter that the Bulls could waive Fesenko at the end of training camp and re-sign him once they're able. The Bulls could do the same with fellow camp invitee Andre Emmett, but another team, either in the NBA or overseas, would be free to snap up Fesenko and Emmett while they waited.

8:29pm: The Bulls will sign Kyrylo Fesenko by the end of the week, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com. He was in Chicago on Monday for a workout after auditioning for the Spurs earlier this month, and reportedly had the Cavs tentatively on his workout schedule as well. He was also said to be in contact with the Hawks and the Heat.

Stein says the 7'1" center will receive a non-guaranteed contract, and Sam Amick of SI.com reports via Twitter that it will be for the minimum. The team doesn't have enough room under its $74.307MM hard cap to retain Fesenko for the regular season, even at the minimum salary, without waiving or trading another one of its players.

Fesenko signed with the Pacers in March for the balance of the 2011/12 season, and appeared in only three regular season games. He scored a total of eight points and grabbed nine rebounds in 17 minutes, and didn't see action in any of the team's playoff games. The Ukraine native averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game during the previous four seasons with the Jazz, upping those numbers slightly when he started nine of the Jazz's 10 playoff games in 2009/10 for the injured Mehmet Okur.

Josh Smith Open To Long-Term Future With Hawks

September 25th, 2012 at 4:13pm CST by Luke Adams

A contract extension for Josh Smith before he hits free agency next summer looks unlikely, according to Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That's no surprise — for players of Smith's caliber, free agent contracts are more appealing than in-season extensions, which max out at three new years. However, Smith is open to a long-term future in Atlanta, according to GM Danny Ferry.

"I’ve been clear that I value Josh as a player," Ferry said. "He has worked hard this summer and I believe he is going to have a great season. I’ve been in contact with his representatives. Josh and his representatives have been clear that he is excited about the direction of the team and wants to be part of the future in Atlanta. That being said, I don’t expect the contract situation to be resolved until next summer."

The stance represents something of a 180 for Smith, who had long hoped to be traded and hinted as recently as May that he was still dissatisfied with the Hawks. Since Ferry took over though, and moved big contracts like Joe Johnson's and Marvin Williams', Smith seems to have come around on the club's direction, according to multiple reports.

Smith will earn $13.2MM in 2012/13, the final year of his current contract. If he were to sign an in-season extension, he could land a new deal of up to three years and about $45MM. In free agency, he'd be eligible for a four-year deal with a new team or a five-year deal with Atlanta. In both cases, his annual salary could be higher than what he'd earn if he simply signed an extension.

Vivlamore notes that negotiations between the two sides aren't completely closed, and that there's still a chance, albeit a slim one, that an extension could be worked out before Smith becomes an unrestricted free agent next July.

Eastern Notes: Nets, Bynum, Celtics, Brooks

September 25th, 2012 at 3:08pm CST by Luke Adams

While very few teams still have cap space available as the 2012/13 season approaches, there are a number of clubs in good position to clear a ton of money from their books next summer. Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld takes an early look at which teams have the least guaranteed money on their cap next summer and beyond, and notes that many of the teams in the best position are in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons, Bobcats, Hawks, Cavaliers, and Wizards all only have between $17MM and $22MM in guaranteed money on their caps for 2013/14, though many of those numbers will increase when rookie-contract options are exercised.

Here are a few more notes from around the Eastern Conference on a Tuesday afternoon:

Nets GM Billy King said today that he talked to free agent point guards Steve Nash and Goran Dragic before he knew for sure whether Deron Williams would be back, tweets Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger.
The general consensus around the NBA would suggest Dwight Howard is the league's best center, with Andrew Bynum placing second, but Dorell Wright would give the nod to his new Sixers teammate. "[Bynum]’s going to need two defenders to stop him," Wright told John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I would say he’s the best big man in the NBA right now, hands down."
Celtics GM Danny Ainge spoke briefly to ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg about a number of topics. According to Ainge, the team doesn't expect to bring in another ball-handler to replace Keyon Dooling, preferring to let its young guys compete for that roster spot.
Within a piece about Brook Lopez's and MarShon Brooks' futures in Brooklyn, Howard Beck of the New York Times mentions that the Hawks "pushed hard" to acquire Brooks in the deal that sent Joe Johnson to the Nets.
Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star examines whether the Pacers really upgraded their bench over the offseason.
In an Insider piece for ESPN.com, David Thorpe explains how the Celtics quietly had one of the NBA's best offseasons.

Anthony Tolliver To Sign With Hawks

September 25th, 2012 at 11:32am CST by Luke Adams

After narrowing his free agent options down to three yesterday, Anthony Tolliver has eliminated two more teams from the running and made his choice. According to Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida (Twitter link), Tolliver will be signing with the Hawks.

Tolliver tells Tomasson that he'll ink a one-year deal worth the minimum salary (Twitter link). It's a pay cut for the 6'8" forward, who made over $2MM last season, but the contract will be guaranteed (Sulia link). Despite not landing the sort of salary he was seeking, the 27-year-old believes Atlanta is a good fit for him.

"I just thought it was the best situation for me," Tolliver said to Tomasson (Sulia link). "I just think they don’t have a lot of players like me. I think it’s a great opportunity."

Tolliver, 27, had a down year in Minnesota in 2011/12, but has shown promise in the past. His best season came in 2009/10, when he averaged 12.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG in 32.3 MPG in 44 contests for the Warriors.

By my count, Tolliver will be the 16th player under contract for the Hawks, though Damion James' and James Anderson's deals are non-guaranteed, leaving an opening for Tolliver to earn a roster spot.

Hawks, Suns In Mix For Tolliver; Wolves Out?

September 24th, 2012 at 2:28pm CST by Luke Adams

2:28pm: Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 hears that Tolliver has reached an agreement with a team besides the T-Wolves (Twitter link). He expects official word soon.

2:03pm: Unrestricted free agent forward Anthony Tolliver has narrowed his list of potential destinations to three teams, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. According to Tomasson, the Hawks, Timberwolves, and Suns are still in the running for Tolliver, who expects to make a decision Tuesday or Wednesday.

Tolliver also confirmed Tomasson's report that Louis Amundson will sign with Minnesota, and acknowledged that Amundson's deal could affect the T-Wolves' offer. He added that all three offers he's considering are for one year and the minimum salary, which would be a step down from both his 2011/12 salary and his asking price.

"A lot of veterans are taking the minimum," Tolliver said. "That might be the new normal."

We heard last week that Greek team Panathinaikos had interest in Tolliver and that the 27-year-old was still considering playing overseas, but it appears he'll remain in the NBA for at least one more year. Tolliver has been linked to the Timberwolves for much of the offseason, and a late-August report cited mutual interest between Tolliver and the Hawks. The Suns are new to the mix, but make some sense as a suitor — Phoenix still has about $8MM in cap space, and only 12 of its players are on fully guaranteed contracts. One of those 12, Channing Frye, may miss the entire 2012/13 season with a heart condition.

In 51 games last season for the Timberwolves, Tolliver averaged just 4.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 17.3 MPG, with an 8.3 PER. All those rates, among others, were his worst marks since his rookie season in San Antonio, when he appeared in just 19 games.

Washburn On Ujiri, Fisher, Williams, Barnes

September 23rd, 2012 at 12:40pm CST by Chuck Myron

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe caught up with Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, who received plaudits this summer after trading for Andre Iguodala but still faces an uphill battle in a stacked Western Conference. He has more to share from around the league, and we'll hit the highlights here.

Washburn believes free agent point guard Derek Fisher could be a consideration for the Celtics, though we heard yesterday that A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com doesn't think the team will pursue him. Boston is thin at point guard following the retirement of Keyon Dooling.
Hawks GM Danny Ferry's decision to buy out Jordan Williams was curious, according to Washburn, who wonders why they didn't try to dangle him in a trade offer. The Globe scribe says at 6'10" and 260 pounds, with the ability to rebound and play center, Williams shouldn't remain a free agent for long. One report has linked Williams to the Knicks.
Washburn also heard from Matt Barnes, who recently signed with the Clippers, about his experience on the other team in L.A. "I think you really learn a lot about yourself, playing for the Lakers, you are on the biggest stage in the world,” the forward said. “All eyes are always on you. You’re never supposed to miss a shot and you’re never supposed to lose. You really have to control your feelings and emotions when people try to jump on you, because they expect 82-0 and they expect titles every year. It’s not a bad tradition to live up to, but you definitely find out a lot about yourself.”