floridaram

Just curious if the Hawks are really trying to trade Al Harrington. Seems a shame since it looks like he is probably playing the best ball for the Hawks right now. I do realize that the Hawks could lose him at the end of the season and get nothing in return so it might be in their best interest to try to deal him now for a Center and/or a Point Guard while he is playing so well and his trade value is probably very high. Does anyone know of any rumors of any trade talks from other NBA teams for Harrington?

I agree. I am guessing that if the Hawks trade either Childress or Josh Smith that they are going to end up being very good players on another team. Right now I am guessing that the Hawks will keep Smith but will probably be shopping Childress. That is OK if they can get a decent PG or Center in return. But, I am also guessing that they will get little in return and that Childress will end up being a pretty good player on another team. I would like to see the Hawks keep Childress and Smith for at least another year to see what they can do with another year of experience.

Just curious. Why doesn't Stoudamire start for the Hawks? He seems to be the best outside shooter (scorer) on the Hawks roster and if he started with Joe Johnson at the other guard position the Hawks offense could be greatly improved.

I am assuming that the Hawks will be seeking at least one or two trades before the trade deadline? If that is a correct assumption does anyone have any ideas on who (Delk,Harrington, Lue, Childress, etc.) the Hawks are (or will be)attempting to trade? I am also assuming that since they paid so much for Joe Johnson that he is not on the trade list and I hope that Josh Smith and Stoudamire are also off that list. Also, does anyone have any information on who the Hawks might be targeting to get in a trade?

Just curious how other Hawks fans think about current status of the Hawks team and what direction you would like to see them take. Seems to me that management can take the stand that they like the team that they have and that they are willing to go through another losing season if they can keep their core of young players and add a couple of players next season and probably be competitive in another year or two OR they can choose to trade one or two of their young players to get that player (Center, Point Guard, Power Forward, etc.) that they need this year to win a few more games this year. I do think that if they stand pat (although, I would like to see them pickup at least one more PHYSICAL player at either the Center or Forward position this year) this year they will get better during the season and hopefully win more games than they did last year. Also, if they do stand pat this year and go through those growing pains maybe they could get a couple of their past draft picks (Center David Anderson and Guard Cenk Akyol) to sign with them to add some depth next year. I do think IF they can keep their core of young players together for a couple more years they will end up being as very good basketball team. BUT, do the Hawks fans want to wait that long?

It is surprising to me that the Hawks have not yet signed any of the available Free Agent Centers. Is there any news (even rumors) of the Hawks trying to sign any Free Agents? Or, could the Hawks be working on a trade to bring a more quality Center to the team? I have to admit that as much as I want to see the Hawks get a quality Center on their team I sincerely hope that they do not overpay some team to acquire one. The Hawks have some quality young men/players on their team and I would hate to see them trade one of them only to see them have stellar careers on their new NBA team while the center the Hawks get ends up having a so-so career with the Hawks. Personally, unless the Hawks can make a reasonable trade with someone I would like to see the Hawks sign one of the available Free Agent Centers and see what the Hawks can do this year and make the necessary moves for the Center position next year.

Are the Hawks going to be able to find (and, sign) any quality players (Centers?) from the list of names that are getting waived to make the roster limits? I am guessing (hoping) that some NBA teams will have more Centers than they need and will end up either waiving them or trading them. Hopefully, the Hawks will be able to find one (or, possibly even two) Centers that can improve their team. I might be way too optimistic but I think this is going to be an exciting season for the Atlanta Hawks!

I read them on HoopsHype (www.hoopshype.com/rumors.htm)NBA rumors. I just hope that at the rumors are true and that the Hawks can make a deal with one of them.

Just read where the Hawks along with several other teams are trying to acquire Jamaal Magliore from the Hornets. I also read where some sports people think the Hawks are also pursuing Nene from the Nuggets. Does anyone have any idea if either of these two players are showing any interest in signing with the Hawks and do the Hawks have enough money to sign one of them? I don't know much about either player but I would guess that the Hawks 1st choice would be Magliore but they would still be very happy if they could acquire Nene if they can't get Magliore. I think it would be great news for the Hawks if they can sign one of these players.

Can anyone tell me how Pachulia and Batista are doing in camp so far? Sounds like both players (especially Pachulia) will be great additions to the Hawks team this year. From what I have read it sounds like these players are very similar in size and very similar in the way they play the game (all out hustle, very physical, very good defensively, etc.)? I think the Hawks may have gotten two steals with these players.

Can anyone give any information on how some of the new players (Williams,Stoudamire,Johnson,Paluchia,Batista, Edwards,Riley,etc.) are doing in camp? I could be way to optimistic about this current Hawks team but I really do think that they will be dramatically improved over last season and I can even see them possibly making the playoffs (I know that I am probably dreaming but I do like what the Hawks have done during the offseason)this year. I do wish that they could have signed or traded for a more offensive Center for the team but maybe that is coming in the near future. I think the Hawks will be a very exciting team for their fans to watch this season and they are very young so they should provide us Hawks fans some very exciting games for years to come.

Can someone tell me who H Riley (6'11"/327lbs) is?

I keep reading rumors that the Hawks are attempting to trade for another player (probably a Center or a PF). Does anyone have any news or ideas on who the Hawks might be targeting? Personally, I would like to see them go after either PF Reggie Evans or Center Eddy Curry. I have read a rumor (probably a false one) that the Hawks were trying to start up talks again with the Bulls about trading for Curry. For the right price I think Curry would be an excellent addition to the Hawks.

I am very interested to see how the Hawks/Batista mystery unfolds! One minute he supposedly signed with the Hawks. The next minute he has signed with the Warriors. Wait, now he has signed with a European team. Now, there is talk that he might still be signing with the Hawks. Everyday I am excited to check this board out to see who Batista has signed with that day. Also, now there are rumors (hopefully, there are truths to these rumors) that the Hawks are attempting to sign or trade for another experienced big man (I am assuming they are talking about a Center) in the near future. I have my fingers crossed that the two possible transactions listed above do happen and have good results for the Hawks.

On another message board someone states that Batista has signed with the Golden State Warriors. Can anyone confirm this? If this is true then I am a little disappointed becuase I was hoping that he could have been a sleeper for the Hawks and help give them some depth at both the Forward and Center positions.

Cenk Akyol sounds like a very interesting prospect for the Hawks. Does anyone have any idea on when the Hawks can expect him to join the team? I thought I read where he is planning on staying with his Turkey team for awhile before he attempts to make the Hawks roster. I am not saying he is anywhere near as good as Danny Ainge but from what I have read he sounds like he could be that type of player for the Hawks.

Is Batista and/or his agent leaning toward signing with the Warriors (if, they get the offer they are looking for) or are they just playing the Hawks against the Warriors? The Hawks have made them an offer but now it sounds like they are trying to negotiate an offer from Golden State. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with trying to get the best deal but I hope Batista and his agent are not just using the Hawks to up the Warriors offer. Hopefully, if the Warriors do make an offer Batista will give the Hawks the opportunity to make a counteroffer. I could be wrong about Batista but I sure do hope that the Hawks can sign him.

I forgot to include in the earlier post that the Hawks also were able to resign PG Tyronn Lue (I think this was a very important/key signing for the Hawks!) and have a good chance at adding F/C Esteban Batista (don't know anything about him other than it sounds like he could be a major type sleeper player for the NBA team that signs him). If they do sign Batista then I would think that the Hawks roster is pretty much set for next season unless they make a major trade for a more dominant type center.

I am wondering how other Hawks fans feel about the Hawks offseason roster moves. I am by no means an expert on the Atlanta Hawks (although, I have been a Hawks fan for many years) but I am very optimisic and excited about the moves the Hawks have made this offseason. The additions of Williams, Stoudamire and Akyol (although, he may not be with the Hawks for a couple of seasons but he might be worth the wait once he does make it to the team) by way of the draft; Joe Johnson (cost the Hawks a lot but at least he is a quality player who WANTED to come play for the Hawks) by trade; and Zaza Paluchia and John Edwards through Free Agency seem to be excellent additions for the Hawks. Although, the Hawks might not make the playoffs next season (but, I would not be surprised at all if they do!) I honestly think with the offseason moves they have made they have taken great strides in greatly improving their team and have put together a young, athletic and exciting team who will provide their fans with some quality and entertaining games next season.

Thanks for the information on Batista. Sounds like an interesting player and I hope he agrees to the Hawks offer. Who knows - maybe if he does sign he might not even make the Hawks final roster or just maybe he could be a a real sleeper and become a very good role player/contributor for the Hawks. Do you have any information where I can get more information on Batista and do you think he will accept the Hawks offer?

Esteban Batista sounds like he would be an excellent addition to the Hawks roster. Does anyone know if the Hawks have actually made him an offer and if they have indeed made him an offer are the two sides (Batista's agent and the Hawks) close to agreeing to deal. Can we expect news from the Hawks that a deal is in the making and should be done soon or are there other teams competing for his servcices? I sure would like to see him join the Hawks and if he does then I would guess that their roster would be almost complete. His signing (if he does sign with the Hawks) and the recent signing of Tyrone Lue seems to be the finishing touches on the Hawks roster (unless they make a blockbuster trade for a Center).