Hawks are expecting a vet big man vistor [Joe Smith] tomorrow

[pimp]

Hawks are expecting a vet big man vistor tomorrow, that will upstage the minicamp gathering.

Details to come shortly.

Sekou

It's Joe Smith - http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2009/07/21/hawks-courting-joe-smith/

Edited July 21, 2009 by Dolfan23
Updated to add link

[HawkItus]

What is Sekou doing? Ha ha. He's no better than a gossip magazine with all the blind items on twitter. haha.

[DrReality]

The whole league is about hype and it's his job.

Let the speculation begin.

[gsuteke]

Who is still out there?

[Admin]

Who is still out there?

This was last updated on the 18th so it might not be completely current

The annual free-agent frenzy has begun in earnest. NBA general managers have thrown an economic crisis and a lowered salary cap to the wind and are spending big bucks again this year.

Ben Gordon earned the richest deal of the group, netting a five-year, $55 million contract from the Pistons. Hedo Turkoglu, Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza, Rasheed Wallace, Shawn Marion, Antonio McDyess and Charlie Villanueva all changed teams quickly. And a few free agents such as Jason Kidd, Anderson Varejao and Mike Bibby decided to re-up with their teams.

Despite the initial flurry, a number of free agents remain on the market. The majority of them are restricted free agents. Most GMs are reluctant to make offers to restricted free agents because they have to wait seven days to see whether the player's current team will match that offer. That fear has kept most off the market so far.

With very few teams -- the Thunder, Kings, and Blazers -- significantly under the cap, most of these players will have to settle for re-signing with their own teams, the midlevel exception or sign-and-trades.

Here's the latest look at which players are available and where they could land:

Key:

UFA = unrestricted free agent

RFA = restricted free agent

(teams have seven days to match any offer for a restricted free agent)

1. David Lee, Knicks (RFA)

Teams interested: Knicks, Blazers, Thunder

Salary range: $8-10 million per year

Lee is a double-double machine who has become a favorite among New York fans and coaches around the league. The Knicks have a goal of clearing cap space for 2010, meaning they might not be in a position to match a substantial offer sheet. So Lee is the rare top-notch restricted free agent whom an opposing team might be able to steal away. At least in theory. The Grizzlies flirted with making him an offer but then backed away. The Blazers also have toyed with the idea but haven't pulled the trigger.

2. Lamar Odom, Lakers (UFA)

Teams interested: Lakers, Heat, Cavs

Salary range: $6-8 million per year

Odom is one of the most interesting free agents on the open market. With Kobe, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum on L.A.'s roster, the Lakers don't desperately need him, especially now that they've spent $33 million on Ron Artest.

Still, Odom is a great team guy who can rebound and initiate the offense, and he doesn't need the ball to be effective. He wants a lot of money to stay with the Lakers, but if they won't pay it, who will? He may have to settle for the midlevel exception if he can't make a deal with L.A.

3. Andre Miller, Sixers (UFA)

Teams interested: Sixers, Blazers, Pacers

Salary range: $5.5-7 million per year

At age 33, Miller is coming off two of the best seasons of his career. Can the Sixers afford to lose him? Some GM who needs a veteran point guard will be willing to gamble on Miller this summer if he gives up his $10 million per season demands.

4. Marvin Williams, Hawks (RFA)

Teams interested: Hawks, ???

Salary range: $5.5-7 million per year

Williams has as much raw talent as anyone else in the draft class of 2005, but he has been frustratingly inconsistent in his first four seasons with the Hawks. Williams has struggled to receive any offers from a team because rival GMs are convinced the Hawks will match. Although he probably will stay in Atlanta, he hasn't played well enough to earn anything close to the $60-64 million, five-year contract that fellow '05 classmate Danny Granger signed this past fall.

5. Raymond Felton, Bobcats (RFA)

Teams interested: Bobcats, Sixers

Salary range: $5-6 million per year

Felton has been looking over his shoulder at Larry Brown's young protégé, D.J. Augustin, who performed well enough as a rookie that it's unlikely the Bobcats would match a big offer sheet for Felton.

Felton can dish out assists, but his poor shooting has hampered his career. If the Bobcats can get Felton for the midlevel exception, I think they'll keep him. Given that all the money has really dried up out there, I think his return to the Bobcats is likely.

6. Ramon Sessions, Bucks (RFA)

Teams interested: Bucks, Warriors, Heat, Blazers, Clippers, Knicks, Rockets

Salary range: $4-6 million per year

Teams are always in pursuit of point guards, especially ones who won't break the bank, and Sessions has caught the eye of a number of teams. With the Bucks struggling financially, they may not be able to match an offer.

7. Allen Iverson, Pistons (UFA)

Teams interested: Clippers, Grizzlies, Bobcats, Bulls, Heat

Salary range: $3-5 million per year

Iverson's late-season disappearance didn't help his reputation. He's still a good player, but two nagging questions will hurt his case for a big deal: One, with the exception of that magical season in Philly under Larry Brown, is Iverson a winner? Two, does he have much left? The answer to the first question seems to be no. The answer to the second question seems to be a qualified yes. The Clippers and Grizzlies seem to have the most interest at the moment, with the two cheapest owners in the business, Donald Sterling and Michael Heisley, pondering whether to offer Iverson a one-year, $5 million deal because he sells tickets.

8. Nate Robinson, Knicks (RFA)

Teams interested: Knicks, Kings

Salary range: $3-5 million per yearThe Knicks probably can't afford to keep Robinson as they try to re-sign David Lee and clear cap space for LeBron James (and/or others). Look for Sacramento, among other teams, to make a run at him, especially after the Kings made a big play for him at the trade deadline.

9. Linas Kleiza, Nuggets (RFA)

Teams interested: Nuggets, Knicks, Cavs, Raptors

Salary range: $3-5 million per year

Kleiza is an up-and-coming forward who drew a lot of interest at the trade deadline. He's physical and can score and should land a deal around the midlevel exception.

10. Glen Davis, Celtics (RFA)

Teams interested: Celtics

Salary range: $3-5 million per year

Davis might be expendable now that the Celtics have signed Rasheed Wallace. Still, teams are wary of giving him an offer sheet on the off chance that the Celtics could match.

11. Marquis Daniels, Pacers (UFA)

Teams interested: Celtics, Pacers, Rockets, Mavericks

Salary range: $2.5-4 million per year

Daniels is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He's 28, in the prime of his career and really could help a team coming off the bench. He just has to come to grips with the fact that he won't make $7 million a year anymore.

12. Earl Watson, Thunder (UFA)

Teams Interested: Pacers

Salary Range: $2 to $3 million per year

Watson is a veteran backup who is solid, but not spectacular. If he clears waivers with the Thunder, expect him to land in Indy.

13. Drew Gooden, Spurs (UFA)

Teams interested: ???

Salary range: $2.5-4 million per year

Gooden's situation has been surprisingly quiet. He's big, talented and still pretty young. But he has a bad rep around the league and can't seem to find a home.

14. Joe Smith, Cavs (UFA)

Teams interested: Cavs, Magic, Hornets

Salary range: $2-4 million per year

Smith continues to be a solid low-post option off the bench, especially for a title contender.

15. Hakim Warrick, Grizzlies (RFA)

Teams interested: Grizzlies, ???

Salary range: $2-4 million per year

Warrick has talent, and a number of teams would target him if he weren't a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies won't match a huge offer, but I don't think anyone is inclined to give him one anyway.

16. Ben Wallace, Suns (UFA)

Teams interested: Mavericks, Pistons, Celtics

Salary range: $2-4 million per year

It may be too early to write off Wallace. He probably doesn't want to toil for a lottery team, but there are several contenders who need size who might be a good fit. Wallace can't do anything offensively, but defensively he still contributes.

17. Tim Thomas, Bulls (UFA)

Teams interested: ???

Salary range: Minimum to $2 million per year

Thomas is just 32 years old and still can provide a solid offensive option off the bench for a team looking for a veteran shooter.

18. Rasho Nesterovic, Pacers (UFA)

Teams interested: Spurs, Rockets, Magic

Salary range: $2.5-4 million per year

Nesterovic may have lost a step or two, but he's still a pretty effective post man, especially on the offensive end. For a team that is thin at center, he could be a really nice addition to play 15 to 20 minutes a night.

19. Rashad McCants, Kings (UFA)

Teams interested: ??

Salary range: $2-4 million per year

McCants doesn't have the world's greatest off-the-court rep, but on the court, he's still an excellent scorer with deep range on his jump shot.

20. Ike Diogu, Kings (UFA)

Teams interested: Kings

Salary range: $2-4 million per year

Diogu has battled injuries and struggled to crack the rotation in Golden State, Indiana, Portland and Sacramento. But when he has played, he has shown a knack for scoring the basketball. Teams won't spend much on him, but he has a skill that is in demand.

21. Jerry Stackhouse, Grizzlies (UFA)

Teams interested: ???

Salary range: Minimum to $2 million per year

Stackhouse was traded to the Grizzlies and then waived. But he still has some value around the league on a team looking for another veteran swing man.

22. Carlos Delfino, Raptors (RFA)

Teams interested: ???

Salary range: $2-4 million per year

Delfino has great size for his position, can shoot the basketball and should come cheaply now that the Raptors have spent all of their money on Hedo Turkoglu.

23. Ronald Murray, Hawks (UFA)

Teams Interested: ???

Salary Range: $2-3 million per year

Murray was a candidate for the sixth man of the year award last season. He's a gunner, but few low-salaried backup guards can score like he can.

24. Jamario Moon, Heat (RA)

Team Interested: Heat

Salary Range: Minimum to $2 million per year

Moon is an athletic forward who can run the floor, defend and contribute offensively. He started 21 games for the Heat last season.

25. Sean May, Bobcats (UFA)

Teams Interested: Kings

Salary Range: Minimum to $2 million

When he's healthy, May can be an effective scoring and rebounding presence in the paint. But injuries and weight issues have created plenty of skeptics.

Other unrestricted notables: Leon Powe, Celtics; Stromile Swift, Nets; Robert Swift, Thunder; Keith Bogans, Bucks; Bobby Jackson, Kings; Luther Head, Heat; Rodney Carney, Wolves; Cedric Simmons, Kings; Damon Jones, Bucks; Desmond Mason, Thunder; Chris Mihm, Grizzlies; Gerald Green, Mavericks; Wally Szczerbiak, Cavs; Jason Collins, Timberwolves; Jarron Collins, Jazz; Shelden Williams, Wolves; Stephon Marbury, Celtics; Mikki Moore, Celtics; Juwan Howard, Bobcats; Joey Graham, Raptors; Maceo Baston, Pacers; Rob Kurz, Warriors; Morris Almond, Jazz.

Other restricted notables: Carlos Delfino, Raptors; Aaron Gray, Bulls; Ersan Ilyasova, Bucks; Josh McRoberts, Pacers.

[Admin]

On a side note how freaking AWESOME is it that I can go to ESPN.com and copy an article and then paste it directly into Hawksquawk and all of the images, links, and most of the formatting stick?

[DeacKillsaDevil]

It'd be nice to sign both Gooden and Ben Wallace

[Theeyo]

JOE SMITH

http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2009/07/21/hawks-courting-joe-smith/

[gsuteke]

Is Joe Smith a character guy? If so he's our man.

I'd also like to take a look at Nesterovic.

[Admin]

JOE SMITH

http://blogs.ajc.com...ting-joe-smith/

Thanks for that Theeyo!

I'll be VERY happy if we can actually sign him as I've been hoping to get him for a few years now. He's a leader, plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor, and his mid-range J is just about as good as it gets among bigs in the NBA.

[Traceman]

Is Joe Smith a character guy? If so he's our man.

I'd also like to take a look at Nesterovic.

Joe is known for his professionalism throughout the league. The attached article sums up what you get with Joe Smith pretty well.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/134077-joe-smith-just-what-the-doctor-ordered-for-aspiring-cleveland-cavaliers

[Kimsey]

I could live with Joe Smith for two years.

[gsuteke]

The Hawks are terribly thin at Center, no matter how you look at it.

Joe Smith will be nice but they need to sign him along with someone else atleast in the 240 to 250 lb range, preferably larger.

Siler has become Esteban Batista 2009 on this board lately but he's becoming an increasingly attractive option at this point.

When you look at Robert Swift you know you have a tird. Atleast with Siler you don't know whether his stuff stinks or not yet.

[Traceman]

It'd be nice to sign both Gooden and Ben Wallace

I agree. Joe Smith and Ben Wallace would be nice too.

[HawkItus]

I'm actually intrigued about Earl Barron

[capstone21]

I'm actually intrigued about Earl Barron

I would so love for this to happen....not only for the depth that Joe provides (he can play C or PF) but the veteran leadership. With a young team like we have, you can never have enough vets who provide a stablilizing presense on the bench and in the locker room. He plays d, rebounds and can score in the post. Joe Smith is a quality guy. He would also be good for people like Marvin and Josh to look up to.

[terrellgroup]

Hawks are expecting a vet big man vistor tomorrow, that will upstage the minicamp gathering.

Details to come shortly.

Sekou

It's Joe Smith - http://blogs.ajc.com...ting-joe-smith/

There is no need for Joe Smith, he does not play like a big man. We need presents in there. A shot blocker, power man or big body. Who cares about how professional he is. Look at what Boston, Cavs, and Magic are doing. There are presents on that team. Sign the rookie , Siler, and find a shot blocker FA or rookie. It is time to get tough, we has too many softies.

[Admin]

There is no need for Joe Smith, he does not play like a big man. We need presents in there. A shot blocker, power man or big body. Who cares about how professional he is. Look at what Boston, Cavs, and Magic are doing. There are presents on that team. Sign the rookie , Siler, and find a shot blocker FA or rookie. It is time to get tough, we has too many softies.

I don't think you are looking at the entire scope of things. Yes I'll admit that we need another banger and someone that can play defense who is primarily a center but we are in DESPERATE need of a backup PF. Zaza can handle the backup minutes at the 5 and he can bang on the inside and rebound and Joe Smith (if we sign him) can rebound as well as anyone available on the FA market and he's a great jump shooter for a big. You also cannot underestimate the impact that his veteran leadership can have on this club.

[DrReality]

I'll say it again . . . . he'd be a great teacher for Al. Seems we've lacked in that area. A vet like that could really help Al

[bonethugz]

linas kleiza anyone? i remember him playing like zaza with good/good enough defense.