Atlanta Hawks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Hawks Exercise Option On Larry Drew

May 18th, 2012 at 12:27pm CST by Luke Adams

12:27pm: The Hawks officially announced in a press release that they've exercised Drew's option.

"Larry did an outstanding job this season in guiding our team to the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference, despite a condensed schedule and unfortunate injuries," said GM Rick Sund. "The Hawks have reached the postseason in each of his years on the bench, and we feel Larry’s experience, expertise and dedication to the game were a key ingredient to our success."

11:40am: The Hawks have picked up their contract option for coach Larry Drew, according to Sekou Smith of NBA.com (via Twitter).

There were rumblings earlier this week that Drew might not have his option for 2012/13 exercised by the Hawks, after failing to make it past the Celtics in round one. But Atlanta's decision to pick it up means Drew will be back on the team's bench for a third season. In his first two years in Atlanta, Drew led the team to an 84-64 record, with one playoff series win, in 2011.

Zach Lowe of SI.com (via Twitter) called the Hawks' decision the "organizational equivalent of [a] shoulder shrug," arguing that Drew is a solid coach, but not one that will take the team to the next level.

Coaching Rumors: Ewing, Magic, D’Antoni, Drew

May 18th, 2012 at 9:46am CST by Luke Adams

Although the Bobcats are still the only NBA team actively searching and conducting interviews for a new head coach, a number of other clubs could be looking to make a change in the coming weeks. Here's the latest on a few coaches and potential openings:

Marc Berman of the New York Post hears that Patrick Ewing has a "good chance" of becoming the Bobcats' next coach. According to Berman, the Magic likely wouldn't consider Ewing for their position if they were to part ways with Stan Van Gundy.
Speaking of Van Gundy and the Magic job, Berman adds that Mike D'Antoni would be on Orlando's "short list" if the team were to make a change. Word out of D'Antoni's inner circle suggests the former Knicks coach is content sitting out next season unless a "very compelling opportunity" arises, says Berman.
Hawks coach Larry Drew is still awaiting word from the team about whether they'll pick up his option for next season. Drew tells Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he considers his relationship with Atlanta's players to be strong: "That’s something I take a lot of pride in and spent a lot of time talking about and trying to work on. Player relationships are so important on this level, how you deal with your best player all the way down to the guy who might not even dress out during games. I thought I did a good job with that. I thought my staff did a good job with that."
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer examines why former NBA big men rarely become head coaches.

Rockets, Hawks Interested In Alexey Shved

May 17th, 2012 at 8:36am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this week, we heard that CSKA Moscow guard Alexey Shved is eyeing a potential jump to the NBA this coming season, with the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Thunder among the teams with interest.

In an interview with Sports.ru (translation via Wendell Maxey of Ridiculous Upside), Shved's agent Obrad Fimic added a couple more clubs to the list of interested parties: the Rockets and Hawks.

No official offers from NBA teams are on the table, and Shved is still under contract with CSKA Moscow, but "all signs point" to him coming to America for the 2012/13 season. However, Fimic refuted the reported asking price of three years and $10MM+ for his client.

Shved's defense could be in a concern in the NBA, according to the Ridiculous Upside report. Still, Maxey agrees with Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com on the 23-year-old's offensive prowess, noting that he could excel in the NBA as a reserve in an up-tempo offense.

Odds & Ends: Mayo, Joe Johnson, Hawks

May 16th, 2012 at 11:03pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Here are some of tonight's miscellaneous links:

Lang Greene of HoopsWorld had his weekly chat with fans tonight. Among the significant things I took from his exchange: O.J. Mayo will most likely leave Memphis since the Grizzlies do not want to exceed the luxury tax and that Joe Johnson won't likely be dealt anytime soon.
Greene also took a look at what to expect from the Hawks this offseason. Aside from being committed to $61 MM in salaries with six roster spots to fill, the team could have some decisions to face with management and coaching as well. We reported earlier this week that current general manager Rick Sund has drawn interest from the Trail Blazers, and Greene thinks that his departure could also mean an end to Larry Drew's tenure with the team.
Kevin Sherrington of SportsDay DFW answered some questions from fans today, including an explanation of why he'd choose Rick Carlisle over Phil Jackson.
This Reuters article (via Simon Evans) examines Miami's struggles as a result of Chris Bosh's absence. The Heat players outside of Lebron and Wade were a combined 9-for-34, and Mario Chalmers was limited to 22 minutes because of foul trouble. Even with that in mind, the Heat don't appear to be fazed going into a road game against a confident Pacers team.

Odds & Ends: Deron Williams, Hawks, Harrington

May 16th, 2012 at 4:50pm CST by Luke Adams

A few Wednesday afternoon odds and ends, as we prepare for tonight's Celtics/Sixers and Lakers/Thunder contests….

The Nets believe that re-signing Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace and upgrading at power forward could be enough to convince Deron Williams to re-sign, says Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution previews the Hawks' offseason, noting that the team won't have much flexibility to sign free agents this summer.
Al Harrington underwent successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, the Nuggets announced today.
In an ESPN.com chat, Chad Ford touches on a number of topics, including how he thinks the Magic's offseason will play out.
Sam Smith of Bulls.com examines what the Bulls' 2012/13 season could look like if Derrick Rose is out for a significant chunk of the year.

Blazers Notes: GM, Drew, Freeland, Claver, Batum

May 16th, 2012 at 8:42am CST by Luke Adams

Let's follow up on Tuesday's Trail Blazers items with another round of updates today:

The Blazers have identified two or three more candidates for their general manager opening that they hope to interview soon, writes Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune. President Larry Miller says he hopes to have a "couple more" candidates meet with owner Paul Allen within the next two weeks or so, at which point the team may be ready to make a decision.
Eggers hears that Portland is having its GM hopefuls complete a written psychological test to establish leadership qualities. "I’ll just say it’s pretty extensive," Miller says. "We try to do as much due diligence as possible."
Larry Drew of the Hawks is a possibility to be the Blazers' next head coach, according to Eggers. "Word is" Drew may not have his option picked up by the Hawks after he failed to lead Atlanta past the first round, says Eggers.
Acting GM Chad Buchanan expects buyouts for former Blazers draft picks Joel Freeland and Victor Claver to be low enough that there shouldn't be an issue bringing them overseas: "We’ve had talks with both players and their parties, and we’re hopeful we can get something worked out."
Dave Deckard of Blazer's Edge takes an in-depth look at Nicolas Batum's impact on Portland's cap, and how it would affect the team if he signed an offer sheet early.

Odds & Ends: Hibbert, Amnesty, Hawks, Draft

May 15th, 2012 at 12:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The final series of the second round finally gets underway tonight, when the Clippers face the Spurs in San Antonio. While we wait for that game, and the Pacers/Heat contest before it, let's round up a few odds and ends from around the NBA….

Roy Hibbert is in line for a big payday this summer regardless of his play in the postseason, but he could earn himself an even larger contract with a big series against Miami, says Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
Stephen Litel of HoopsWorld identifies a few potential amnesty candidates, including Mike Miller, Marvin Williams, and John Salmons.
"Uncertainty reigns supreme" for the Hawks as they approach the offseason, according to a HoopsWorld report.
Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv shares the full list of 44 prospects participating in the draft combine in New Jersey this weekend.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski concedes that Team USA's depth has taken a big hit, and with plenty of Olympians still in action, he'll have to hope there are no more injuries, writes Billy Witz of FOX Sports.

Lawrence On Bobcats, George Hill, Joe Johnson

May 14th, 2012 at 9:18am CST by Luke Adams

Yesterday, we covered a report from Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News about the Raptors' potential interest in Steve Nash and Jeremy Lin. That wasn't Lawrence's only rumor of note this weekend though. Here are a few more items of interest from the Daily News scribe:

The Bobcats' coaching search continues with Charlotte requesting and receiving permission to speak with Grizzlies assistant David Joerger.
According to Lawrence, George Hill turned down a $6MM-per-year extension offer from the Pacers earlier this season. Hill will be a restricted free agent this summer, and Lawrence wonders if the Spurs, his old team, will have interest.
Expect to hear Joe Johnson's name in trade rumors this offseason, potentially with the Knicks if Mike Woodson remains the head coach, says Lawrence. Even with about $89MM and four years remaining on Johnson's contract, it's hard to imagine the Hawks trading him in a deal for Amare Stoudemire.

Southeast Notes: Redick, Magic, Hawks, Bobcats

May 11th, 2012 at 4:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few Friday afternoon odds and ends out of the Southeast Division….

J.J. Redick has one non-guaranteed year remaining on his contract and the Magic haven't indicated whether he'll be brought back, as he tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel: "I think I'm down the totem pole. Obviously, the Magic have a decision to make about my contract. It's pretty much out of my hands. I think I've done everything I can do at this point."
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel is "hearing whispers" that Mike D'Antoni would be interested in coaching the Magic if the job opened up (Twitter link). Of course, even if that were true and the team fires Stan Van Gundy, there's no guarantee the interest would be mutual.
An NBA.com column examines the decisions the Hawks will have to make on their front office and roster this offseason.
Heat players and coaches aren't bothered by comments made by Pacers coach Frank Vogel about the team's propensity for "flopping," writes Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star.
The Bobcats likely won't hire a coach this month, according to Tom Sorensen of the Charlotte Observer, who implores the team to take its team and make sure they find the right candidate for the job.

Trail Blazers Interested In Hawks’ GM Rick Sund

May 11th, 2012 at 9:28am CST by Luke Adams

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, two frontrunners have emerged for the Trail Blazers' general manager opening: Jeff Bower and David Morway. However, those aren't the only candidates still in the running for the position. Chris Broussard of ESPN.com reports that the Blazers are also eyeing Hawks GM Rick Sund.

According to Broussard, the Blazers requested permission to speak to Sund, but were turned down by the Hawks, who preferred to wait until the season was over. After being eliminated from the playoffs by Boston last night, the Hawks will likely allow Sund to meet with Portland. Still, it's not clear how serious the Blazers' interest is. According to Jason Quick of the Oregonian (via Twitter), Sund is on the team's radar but not a primary target.

Sund is in the last year of his contract in Atlanta, and while the team has attempted to initiate extension talks, the GM has insisted on keeping his options open, says Broussard.