MC on SF

[DrReality]

Atlanta Hawks: Wings are the thing

4:48 pm July 6, 2012, by Michael Cunningham

The Hawks are interested in free agent forward Anthony Randolph, as reported today by Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The Hawks also remain in contact with the Magic about trade possibilities for Dwight Howard.

But the more pressing concern for the Hawks is signing a small forward after they agreed to trade away Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson.

“We have to look at the wing area to bring somebody in that can help us,” Drew said. “With having the six spots filled [including] the two draft picks on the roster, solidifying on the wing becomes more of a priority than a ‘big.’ We could add another big but, right now, certainly the priority is strengthening the wing area and then possibly adding another big.”

As things stand now, Atlanta’s options include playing one of Josh Smith, Anthony Morrow or DeShawn Stevenson at small forward. Smith was able to play the wing effectively in certain matchups last season but neither he nor Morrow or Stevenson is a natural for the position.

The Hawks are interested in Rashard Lewis and Courtney Lee. They’ve also reportedly inquired about O.J. Mayo.

Other free-agent wings still on the board include Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, Carlos Delfino, Antawn Jamison, Mickael Pietrus, C.J. Miles and Tracy McGrady.

The Hawks can offer a contract that starts as high as the non-taxpayer mid-level exception maximum of $5 million. It appears that the first wave of free-agent signings isn’t quite over as players look for money and/or contending teams to join. The Hawks could still be a pretty good team next season but clearly no longer are as attractive to free agents as they were last season, when they could sell the possibility of a strong postseason run.

With that in mind, expect the Hawks to zero in on free agents to sign once the market settles.

“There’s been some surprising things that have happened with free agents,” Drew said. “Our stand is just to continue to look at possibilities that can help our ball club. There are still some interesting names out there. We’ve had contact with a number of free agents and we want to bring in guys that can play right away, whether they start or come off the bench.”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

[hawkrule152]

BRING IN OJ!!

[JohnnyCASH]

joker just came

[MrMeltdown]

If OJ is a wing Jamal is a wing, those guys are combo guards.

[tonegully]

Please do not bring in OJ Mayo.lol

[Plainview1981]

Please do not bring in OJ Mayo.lol

He is the only one on that list that is any good.

[EazyRoc]

Grant Hill!

[DJlaysitup]

Without Marvin...O.J. Mayo is the only guy who can keep the chatroom cooking every night .

[Plainview1981]

Grant Hill!

We would be better off playing Morrow there. Grant is 50 years old.