Chinky_eyed_hawk

I can't speak for others, but for me it's a simple for the this: The hawks have not had a formidable center in the past dozen years. This Free agency gives up the opportunity to land a hof one in Howard who is also a hometown product. Great!!! Problem is he has been on record numerous times saying that he doesn't want to play here so its up to a chance shot to pair him with CP3. In the event we don't get Dwight, AJ is the 2nd best free agent option defensive faults or not. Some can argue for Pek but we will be competing with two other teams including the one who has the rights to match and has said that they would at all cost. Bluff or not. So why not grab a guy who can contribute better than other options and grab a young defensive minded center through draft and/or maybe Dalembert through FA. That gives us a great line up for 3 years and if it doesn't work you have options. At the end of the day we don't know who DF is going after. So we all are pitching our ballets for our individual solutions to the many of the holes the franchise has right now. To me unless we pull off some sort of trade AJ is our best option for production for the next 3 years

are we there yet are we there yet are we there yet

Boi STOP

any links on who in working out?

Don't draft Plumlee or olynyk . If karasev is there, draft. If not trade down a few spots for Rice and/or Bullock

I would take Jrue in a heartbeat. For whatever....

lol... oh yeah. my eyes stay low.

1. I know we are hawks fans but despite our optimism and cap space many around the league have less confidence in if we can pull cp3 away from LA with Doc at the helm, or if they would both play here not. That is the consensus around the league I would say. Not just media BS 2.Although we don't want to resign Smith with the chance it would cost us the bigger FAs, Danny was trying to extend him last year. Not too far fetched to think it couldn't happen. I hope not ....but it is just as much of a possibility as it is to bring in bigger FAs. 3. Why wouldn't it be? Although the possibility of having Dwight Howard in the mix has everyone thinking about Al at the 4 again, but we have no idea what DF has in store. He may very well be content with Horford playing the 5 in Buds system just as much as playing the 4.

I don't look the part of a baller for sure, but because I am always out in different circles, the black guy with the dreads seems to get "you know who you look like" question...

Does anyone know anything about this kid??

Charley Walters: Will Nikola Pekovic be bait in Timberwolves-Blazers cat-and-mouse? By Charley Walters cwalters@pioneerpress.com twincities.com Posted: 06/25/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT June 26, 2013 5:31 AM GMTUpdated: 06/26/2013 12:31:35 AM CDT A year ago, the Timberwolves, under then-basketball president David Kahn, signed Portland Trail Blazers restricted free-agent forward Nicolas Batum to an offer sheet worth nearly $47 million over four years. Portland matched the offer but had to overpay considerably for Batum, and it's a good bet the Blazers were not thrilled by the Wolves' action. When the free agent-market opens Monday, the Wolves have a star center, Nikola Pekovic, 27, who will become a restricted free agent -- the same as was Batum last summer. Re-signing Pekovic is the Wolves' top priority, and the team intends to do it. It's unclear whether the Trail Blazers would consider signing Pekovic to an offer sheet as retribution for Batum or whether a signing would merely be business in the NBA. At the least, however, Pekovic's free-agent status makes the Wolves vulnerable for payback from Portland, which could make Minnesota overpay considerably to retain their popular 6-foot-11, 290-pounder. I asked Wolves owner Glen Taylor on Tuesday if he's aware of the possibility."Yep, we think about that," Taylor said. Taylor is a billionaire. Portland owner Paul Allen is a billionaire 15 times over. It's unclear whether Allen is a vindictive sort. "I don't know if they would do that or not," Taylor said of the Trail Blazers. Regarding the Batum signing, Taylor said the Wolves gave Portland "plenty of notice, we gave them options to trade, we did lots of things for them. But I suppose they could do that." http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_23538977/charley-walters-will-nikola-pekovic-be-bait-timberwolves? source=most_viewed

The Cleveland Cavaliers offered the No. 1 overall pick, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love, according to a source. The Wolves rejected the trade offer and hope to build around Love under Flip Saunders. The thinking from the Cavaliers' perspective would be to pair Kyrie Irving with a legitimate All-Star in Love. The Cavaliers have reportedly not decided on who to select first overall and also continue to look for a trade of the selection. Via Andy Katz/ESPN

I know we are all excited about the pending moves over the next couple of weeks and all have a dream scenarios but something has to be said: Please please please please... and I know this has been said over many threads over the past several weeks/months but once again.... NO MORE S&T POSTS CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING HAWKS PLAYERS IN REFERENCE TO THURSDAY'S DRAFT: JOSH SMITH JEFF TEAGUE It can't happen. It won't happen. No matte what team you insert. No matter what player you covet. Thank you.

next year......yes

Are you serious? Are you saying that Z-bo hasn't always been a formidable post presence all his career? I can't post the numbers but I am pretty sure he was doing damage way back when he was in both Portland and LA. What I am saying is that that Memphis capitalized on his skillset and paired him with someone who could compliment. Not just one player put TEAMS are put together. Listen, I am not saying that Al is the end all for our post needs, but he, at whatever stage of his career he is in, is still FAR BETTER than any other C the hawks have had in well over a decade. He is still FAR BETTER than many of the FA prospects the hawks have had a chance of landing in the last few years. Not saying that Pekovic might even be a better fit for most of you, but will he be available? This is always the hawks predicament. I agree with buzzard. Not worth the argument. The sides are so split on if we tank or not, grab talent or not. I am glad we aren't in charge of the team that's for sure.

Yeah no problem. I thought it was a good read. What they should have said was "with the emergence of Faried......" no way this happens. No way Denver makes this move. They love Faried. Hell...if another person calls me Faried trying to make a f'n joke.....

It was the southern tie in. Can't take a trip across the pond, but I might make it back for the MLK day game or any game during march madness

yeah first thing I thought was why would they do that? Even you if you think the world of Porter, just draft him. You can move up a spot I am sure verses traded away your former 1st rounder still on his rookie contract

Bynum=Speedy... lol yes!!!

Catfish and chips anyone??

Choosing Destinations For The 2013 Free Agency Class By: Daniel LerouxJun 24, 2013 7:42 PM EDT Inspired by my complete lack of desire and ability to predict what Dwight Howard will do this summer, it seemed like a fun opportunity to do an article I have always wanted to write: what every major free agent should do this summer. Without knowing for sure what teams will offer in terms of salary, some of this will be conjecture but will be my best guess. Since Restricted Free Agents do not have much choice in the matter, their sections will be shorter and more direct. The ranking order comes from Amin Elhassan from ESPN to help simplify the process. 1. Dwight Howard, C, Unrestricted Free Agent The problem for Howard is that he cannot be sure that he will be a good enough recruiter to sign blind anywhere without the pieces already in place. In effect, if he makes a long-term commitment it should be to a team who has a roster at signing that he would be happy with for the duration of the contract. Thanks to the new rules that restrict teams over the luxury tax apron from acquiring players via sign-and-trade, the number of teams slims down somewhat for this summer. His two best options are the Houston Rockets and signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that would put him in the 2014 monster FA class. Houston has a No. 1 scorer in James Harden and plenty of other talent along with the cap space to sign Howard outright (after a few small moves). That flexibility coupled with their scheme and well-structured salaries make them the best situation available this summer. Unless Howard falls off a cliff next season, he will still warrant max money, so the other reasonable option would be to play one more season with the Lakers and then try to play with another elite talent (i.e. LeBron James) wherever. Committing to the Lakers right now would be a mistake because he cannot be sure that Jim Buss’s team will pull another top-level guy into their orbit and it would be a useless risk to take. 2. Chris Paul, PG, Unrestricted Free Agent Earlier in the year, I wrote that Chris Paul’s decision is the most important one for any single franchise in the league for a long time because his departure would likely send the Los Angeles Clippers into a slow and agonizing tailspin thanks to their owner. Paul has the benefit of having a solid situation in front of him despite their first round playoff exit. Even though Donald Sterling is a slumlord and a terrible owner, Paul has helped woo enough supporting talent to make Lob City a legitimate contender to make the NBA Finals unless the West gets a superteam. As was the case with Howard, the only team with space that has the talent to potentially be better than the Clippers has to be Houston. Jeremy Lin could be kept as injury insurance or traded as an asset since his contract lasts only two more seasons. The other major difference between Paul and Howard has to be Paul’s knee. His uncertain health makes him more likely to take the max contract now and be happy with it, though I would take a one-year deal to try and play with LeBron next summer- the amount of risk seems worth it since Paul knows the Clippers would be overjoyed to bring him back in 2014 and James has shown legitimate interest in playing with the best PG in the league. 3. Josh Smith, PF, Unrestricted Free Agent Smith is the first player with an uncertain money component since he wants the max and seems unlikely to get it. As such, it gets more difficult to say what he should do without knowing the dollar figures involved. Beyond salary, Smith should look for a team with a point guard who can distribute who plays at a fast tempo. Denver (possible via sign-and-trade), Indiana (same) and Houston would all be compelling destinations that may have the right amount of interest for where his market ends up. Unfortunately for Smith, I do not see Indiana and Denver as having the required interest/flexibility to make a deal happen so a return to Atlanta actually makes the most sense. 4. Andrew Bynum, C, Unrestricted Free Agent If anyone offers him anywhere approaching a long-term max deal, Bynum should go there immediately. Otherwise, going to a team with a need for a center on a substantial one-year contract (like Dallas or Minnesota if Pekovic heads elsewhere) would be a gutsy and compelling move. 5. Andre Iguodala, SF/SG, Early Termination Option In a decision that parallels Chris Paul’s, Iguodala has a nice situation with Denver to compare other options to and could also elect to not exercise his ETO and become a member of the 2014 bonanza. The security of a long-term deal should be alluring but it would not be worth it to go to a bad situation in order to get the money this summer. Denver, Houston and Atlanta would all be interesting and logical landing spots. 6. David West, PF, Unrestricted Free Agent A classic example of money vs. fit since Indiana should not overpay him. West turns 33 before the start of next season and this marks his last chance to get a substantial contract in the league. Either way can be wholly justified and he should have a few solid years left in the tank. 7. Nikola Pekovic, C, Restricted Free Agent At 27 years old, Pekovic should go for the money while it is out there and let Minnesota make their own decision on matching. 8. Al Jefferson, C, Unrestricted Free Agent Since Utah already has Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter around, it feels unlikely that they bring back both Jefferson and Millsap considering the amount of money both could receive as free agents. That said, a more constricted market for Jefferson here could actually provide some more interesting options like playing next to Al Horford with the Hawks, Kyrie Irving with the Cavaliers, or Anthony Davis with the Pelicans ould all work nicely. Portland would make sense as well. New Orleans sits just 150 miles away from his hometown and has logical surrounding talent as well. 9. Paul Millsap, PF, Unrestricted Free Agent Like his teammate Al Jefferson, we could see Millsap price himself out of the good situations or choose to take a little less to be on a better team long-term. Atlanta, Houston and a return to the Jazz stand out in terms of the fit/money combination. 10. OJ Mayo, SG, Player Option As someone who has never gotten the big contract everyone expected him to receive, now is the time to get the most money possible. Simple as that for a player this young. 11. Tyreke Evans, SG/SF, Restricted Free Agent Being an RFA and having a pretty solid amount of market value, Evans can take the money and see if the new Sacramento ownership matches. It would not be smart for Evans to roll the dice on a qualifying offer. 12. Brandon Jennings, PG, Restricted Free Agent As the second best point guard on the market, the money should be there if that’s what Jennings wants most. If Jennings gets offered a deal worth $36 million or more over four seasons, he should take it and see if Milwaukee matches. Otherwise, becoming an Unrestricted Free Agent next summer in a weak PG class and lots of high-end talent makes the most sense. Look for Dallas to be a part of the bidding this summer. 13. Jeff Teague, PG, Restricted Free Agent Parallels Brandon Jennings to a degree though it appears that the elder Teague is happier with his situation and thus should be willing to accept a lower offer to stay. His lack of tantalizing upside makes taking the risk of waiting much less palatable as well. 14. Andrei Kirilenko, SF, Player Option The concept of financial security works a little differently for Kirilenko since it seems like he can make plenty of money playing in Russia should he ever choose to go back. I would love to see him ring hunt for a year or two on Miami or Oklahoma City though he could try for a more lucrative deal somewhere else. 15. JJ Hickson, PF, Unrestricted Free Agent Follow the money, plain and simple. 16. Tiago Splitter, C/PF, Restricted Free Agent Splitter picked exactly the right time to have his strongest season and should get some solid offers for his next deal. I fully expect the Spurs to match any non-ridiculous deal so Splitter should go after it and end up returning to San Antonio. 17. JJ Redick, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent The ultimate money vs. fit guy in this class. JJ Redick joining the Thunder, Bulls, Heat, Grizzlies, Nuggets or Pacers could meaningfully shift the balance of power among the top teams for the next few seasons. However, leaving millions per year on the table becomes that much harder when you have never received that big NBA contract. At 28, I would take the MLE if Oklahoma City offers it (assuming Ray Allen stays with Miami) and otherwise go after more money in Portland. 18. Timofey Mozgov, C, Restricted Free Agent Take the money and run, ideally to a team where he could be the primary backup at center. 19. Tony Allen, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent It would be totally justified for Allen to take the money somewhere else but the idea of it just feels wrong considering how important he has been to the identity of this Memphis team. Tony Allen pulling a Ray Allen and becoming a monster role player for the Heat would be pretty incredible as well. 20. Monta Ellis, SG/PG, Early Termination Option As much fun as it would be to see Ellis take less money to play with a contender, some team will be dumb enough to offer him a ton of money this summer since we all know Monta Ellis have it all. 21. Kevin Martin, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent Even though he has his limitations, Kevin Martin’s efficient scoring gives him a place in the league on nearly every team. At 30, the only way for him to get two more substantial deals would be to have this one be a short one (two years or so) but I would go somewhere else if a team offers him a nice three or four year deal. 22. Manu Ginobili, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent The Spurs. Anything else would be terrible. 23. Darren Collison, PG, Restricted Free Agent Unlike most young players, Collison would be well-served to look at both situation and money since he likely will need to place himself well in order to get a nice third contract in the league, sort of paralleling former Pac-10 foe and Mavericks teammate OJ Mayo. Dallas works fine but I would look hard at Utah, Charlotte and Detroit for short deals to boost his value. 24. Corey Brewer, SG, Unrestricted Free Agent Brewer has found a nice niche in Denver with a system that helps mask some of his biggest faults. Conning a different team into giving him more money than he deserves is always a possibility but otherwise I would return to Ty Lawson and the team that uses Brewer so well. That said, whoever ends up with George Karl makes similar sense for the next deal. 25. Jarrett Jack, PG, Unrestricted Free Agent If the money is close, a return to Golden State would make the most sense for Jack since their head coach loves him and the system makes sense for his game. That said, a nice offer from a team in a better cap situation would be worth taking since Jarrett has maximized his value right now for the later stages of his career. 26. JR Smith, SG/SF, Player Option One of the most talented players in the league to never get a big payday will finally get one this summer. It would be great if a team with potential like Cleveland or Portland made a big offer but he should go for the security of the most guaranteed money he can get. 27. Dorell Wright, SF, Unrestricted Free Agent Wright may end up being the reverse Redick and pricing himself into a nice situation. Atlanta, Washington, Minnesota (if AK leaves), New Orleans, Sacramento and Phoenix could all use a “3-D” player in their rotation while he could also take a little bit less to play for a contender. 28. Kyle Korver, SF, Unrestricted Free Agent Pretty easy: the place most likely to get a ring where the money is even close. 29. Gary Neal, SG/PG, Restricted Free Agent We do not really know if the Spurs are willing to pay Neal long-term since they have Cory Joseph who Popovich has really taken a liking to. Either way, a youngster getting paid less than a million per year owes it to himself to see what RC Buford and San Antonio will match. 30. Eric Maynor, PG, Restricted Free Agent Going the OJ Mayo route and taking less years to try and boost your value makes less sense for a guy like Maynor who has never shown the types of flashes that get teams to open their checkbooks. As such, he should take a longer contract if anyone offers it and otherwise do a season or two somewhere where he would get minutes like Cleveland, Washington, Detroit, Indiana or Utah. http://basketball.realgm.com/article/228353/Choosing-Destinations-For-The-2013-Free-Agency-Class

So here is the one common thread no matter if we are talking which draft picks the hawks will take, FA, or this trade... in every discussion there is a SG involved. Why is that? Just a second ago everyone is so high on Jenkins and wonders if he is our new starting SG or just an option off the bench. For so many people here to be so high on Jenkins this surely spells the end for him here yes? Can't be like oh I will take Bradley back in this trade to couple with lou wills, Jenkins, oladipo, franklin, and your cuz who balls at the Y,

We have a hard time attracting FA because we never have both $$$ and Talent in place at the same time. Its been one or the other but not both. Same situation this year. We have money but there are only 2 FA we want (paul/howard) and then what... we will take the leftovers. This is no different than any other year. So what separates now from then? Only difference is we have a creditable GM agents might be willing to communicate with more. We all are excited about Bud but truth be told we don't know what the future will hold for him. Is he a name that will attract players just due to his history with San Antonio? The other thing that separates the hawks from those teams is the market. There are two storied franchises in the NBA in the Lakers/Celtics. So yeah players may want to play for a historic franchise, but that's only because of the brain trust in place. Buss push for excellence is well documented. Where would Boston be right now if it wasn't for Ainge calling up his old buddy in Minny and getting that big three deal done? It's easy to concentrate on their recent success but lets not get it twisted, Danny got a big scoop of helping hand from his old playing buddy in getting KG. Throw in Ray Allen then you totally change the prospective of a franchise. Without that trade they just have Rondo(which they got in the first place because they were one of the worst teams in the league). Same thing with Chicago. Nobody WANTS to just up and go to Chicago to live in Jordan's shadow. It damn sure aint the weather bringing them there. The bulls have not had a viable FA say...oh I want to play in Chicago. Maybe nowadays because they have a star in Rose along with all the other talent. With Dallas, its a crapshoot. Everyone knows that Cuban is willing to spend for a championship. So that plays in their favor. Having a foundation like Dirk still isn't just enough. What helps teams like Dallas/Houston/MIA etc... are tax breaks. Don't know how many people live in ATL from this board, but we all know as much negative publicity about ATL being a small market, ATL is a banging place to live. Stars love it here. So I don't buy into that we cant get people to consider us. I agree. With the Hockey team being sold, and the Belkin debacle being water under the bridge it should be easier now. Danny Ferry is a creditable GM and we will see what Bud brings to the table.

No thanks. The only reason we were mentioned is because we have money to burn? So if you just want to throw $$$ away sure why not, but aren't there plenty of people to do that with? If DF went this route, I would start to question his moves for sure.

If there was a big man in FA that had a clear advantage over Jefferson as being a good passer, then assist factor. You feed me the ball, I get buckets. I like that. Now find the pieces to cover weaknesses.