If it goes let's follow it up with...

[CHORO44]

Ratliff to the Knicks for Kurt Thomas and Charlie Ward. We save approximately $11.4 million next year.

We then send Nazr and Chris Crawford to Dallas for Avery Johnson and Edward Najera. We save approximately another $9 million.

I see no reason why we shouldn't free up our salary cap for next year as a Western Conference team is going to win it all. We could make the playoffs but I have a hard time believing that we could beat the top Eastern teams.

If Garnett's wolves get bounced in the first round next year perhaps he'd consider moving to an Eastern conference team in Atlanta especially if our young guys develop.

[Lascar78]

I think you can forget about KG but there will be plenty of other good FA's I believe

[TheDude]

i would do the ratlliff thing probably but not the nazr deal.. even as much as i like najera's game we need to have some kind of big man presence this coming year to at least be decent...

[TJ_Swann]

No big name star is going to come here until we start winning!!!

[KB21]

I have to disagree.

The big name stars are going to go where the money is. Most of the big name stars feel they are what will elevate a team anyway. When the Hawks have $20+ million available in the 2005 offseason, they will be able to lure a big name player. Money is what talks to these players. Especially when they are young. Players like Gary Payton and Karl Malone know they are close to being finished, so they are going for the championship run with the Lakers. A guy like Tracy McGrady though, choose to sign with the Magic because they had the money available. Not because they were winners.

[Guest]

But alot of people want to go to Orlando and they

actually have a fanbase.that's the difference.

The only players that seem to want to come here are

former Hawk players and broke down players like Kenny

Anderson and Steve Smith.

It's a whole different ballgame when you are trying to

get big time players.

[Lascar78]

you don't have to win but you have to show that you're headed in the right direction. That's why it's important that we get a new owner, coach, etc... and make good moves. Let it be known that a new era of Hawks ball is beginning. Preferably if you do it like the kings and mavs and have a bunch of money, you can build fast. Nobody wanted to play for either team 5-10 yrs ago. Remember when Richmond was basically the only player in Sacramento? that wasn't so long ago...

[Lascar78]

but at the same time all the players say they love Atlanta. They want nothing to do with the hawks, but they love atlanta, its party scene, the fact that it has a large black population. If we can turn the team's image away, the city can be a huge asset

[TJ_Swann]

Chicago had a lot of money a few seasons ago and who did they get? Ron Mercer, No Tmac, No Duncan.