What are we going to do with Salim?

[Seano]

I'm really curious to hear peoples thoughts on this. The future of Salim is nowhere near the level of importance that the futures of Josh Smith and Josh Childress will have on this franchise and team, but nonetheless he is a part of the team and so the question needs to be asked.

My thoughts are that he really doesn't seem to have much of a future here. After appearing in 61 games in each of his first two seasons, he only made it into 35 games this past season- and his minutes per game have dropped in each successive season, from 20.2 to 17.0 to 11.6. So clearly, he's on the outs. We all know of the flaws and limitations to his game, but it's extremely difficult to work on those flaws and limitations when you're not given an opportunity to try and iron that stuff out by getting meaningful minutes in actual games.

And Salim ain't getting any younger. Despite the fact he's only a third year player, he's already 25 years old now, older than Marvin, and Smoove, and Zaza, and Chillz, and West, and Acie, and Solomon, and JRich. Salim is currently the 4th oldest player on this team, and just a year younger than Joe Johnson. That really puts it into perspective for me, that the clock is really ticking on Stoudamire's career.

So given the fact that we're obviously not going to use him, to me it would behoove us and be a big favor to Salim to trade him, while we still might get some semblance of 'value' for him, and give Salim an opportunity to go somewhere fresh and attempt to salvage a career that's kind of gone off track.

Thoughts? Do you feel Salim has any trade value at all? What do you think we should (or will) do with him?

[thefloydian]

I don't think we would want anything that we would get in return for him.

[bronnt]

Quote:

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I'm really curious to hear peoples thoughts on this. The future of Salim is nowhere near the level of importance that the futures of Josh Smith and Josh Childress will have on this franchise and team, but nonetheless he is a part of the team and so the question needs to be asked.

My thoughts are that he really doesn't seem to have much of a future here. After appearing in 61 games in each of his first two seasons, he only made it into 35 games this past season- and his minutes per game have dropped in each successive season, from 20.2 to 17.0 to 11.6. So clearly, he's on the outs. We all know of the flaws and limitations to his game, but it's extremely difficult to work on those flaws and limitations when you're not given an opportunity to try and iron that stuff out by getting meaningful minutes in actual games.

And Salim ain't getting any younger. Despite the fact he's only a third year player, he's already 25 years old now, older than Marvin, and Smoove, and Zaza, and Chillz, and West, and Acie, and Solomon, and JRich. Salim is currently the 4th oldest player on this team, and just a year younger than Joe Johnson. That really puts it into perspective for me, that the clock is really ticking on Stoudamire's career.

So given the fact that we're obviously not going to use him, to me it would behoove us and be a big favor to Salim to trade him, while we still might get some semblance of 'value' for him, and give Salim an opportunity to go somewhere fresh and attempt to salvage a career that's kind of gone off track.

Thoughts? Do you feel Salim has any trade value at all? What do you think we should (or will) do with him?

I was pretty sure he was a RFA this offseason. But I'm not sure.

What's telling is that we had SOOO many injuries and depth concerns at point guard, and Salim didn't play. Everyone who watched this team became quickly aware that we needed another shooter to spread the floor, and he still didn't play.

He's not going to be used here.

[HawksBalla]

I think he could have a role here, and if he had 10-15 minutes a game he would give us much-needed outside shooting, but its obvious Woodson will only play him when he has to.

He's gone, and I wish him the best, and that he finds a team that will actually use him.

[mrhonline]

Salim's days as a Hawk are over.

You can count on that much this offseason.

[DrReality]

Unless we have a new coach, he's a non-factor. He's another guy Woody has not utilized. But someone, most likely on the West coast will figure it out.

[bonethugz]

he's going and he should be, specially if we re-sign woodson. he's just not going to change. i still think his shooting will help some team, just not us

[DrReality]

Trade him to Seatle for their top second rounder, they have three and pick this guy:

Nathan Jawai Australia

Birthday:10/10/1986NBA

Postion:PF/C

Class:N/AHt:6-10Wt:275Int

Team:Cairns TaipansHometown:Sydney,

He's huge. He could be buddies with Andersen. both Ausies

Or Joey Dorsey out out of Memphis.

[DrReality]

Here's a link with vidoe on the big Ausie, but it's poor quality.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Nathan-Jawai-1404/

Would love to have that kind of beef inside.

[NJHAWK]

I saw where he was a restricted free agent and where he was an unrestricted free agent. Since he was a second round pick I think he is unrestricted. I bet he signs somewhere out west like Portland or Seattle. I dont even think we could get a 2nd round pick for him or we would have at the deadline.

[JackB1]

Hopefully we will not give him a new contract.

I would love to see him go somewhere and play more so

we could really see what he was made of.

[TheDude]

I think that Salim can flourish as a backup player in the league for another team. He can be an Eddie House type player if not better. He won't play for us and that's probably best for him UNLESS we get a new coach who wants him here.

I would advise to Salim that he continue to focus on other ways of scoring other than just spot up 3. He was somewhat successful we he drove and when he had the little tear drop shots and short jumpers. Even though he could be just a 3 point specialist, I think he is better suited to be an all-around scorer(as he was in college) than JUST a 3 point shooter. A big part of that is that he needs to get into a rythym to start hitting 3's and what better way than start with smaller shots. I really think he has NBA level talent even at his size.

HE DOESNT NEED TO PLAY POINT OFFENSIVELY AS LONG AS HE PLAYS POINT DEFENSIVELY and his backcourt comrade has good size to guard SGs.

I would also advise him to work on shot selection.

[DrReality]

I think he made some points with coaches when he kept practicing hard, kept his mouth shut and took the court when he got the chance. Think he learned from the incident with Woody. I wish him well.