Hawks Likely to Pick up Option on Hansen for 2004

[jaywalker72]

http://hawks.realgm.com/showarticle.php?artid=445

The Atlanta Hawks have been well reported as having only four players under contract for next season; Jason Terry, Alan Henderson, Chris Crawford, and 2003-2004 first round pick Boris Diaw.

You might want to make that a fivesome.

The Hawks have a team option on Travis Hansen, and by all accounts it will be picked up for next season.

Hansen, the Hawks second round pick in 2003, struggled with injuries for the better part of the season, but came on strong towards the end when all the house cleaning Hawks GM Billy Knight did opened the door for the 26 year old rookie from BYU.

Hansen averaged 23 minutes per game in April (7 games), averaging 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and ½ a block and steal per game. Hansen also began to show why Knight thought so much of the guard before the draft, when Knight snuck Hansen back in just before the draft to get a final look at him. Hansen played with tremendous energy when healthy last season, finishing above the rim, scrambling to keep plays alive, and showing some good defense.

For his part, Hansen likes the idea of playing in Atlanta, but says that he and his agent will try and negotiate a longer stay with the Hawks within the next couple of weeks, likely asking the team to decline the option and sign a longer deal.

Though he is from Utah, Hansen says that if his option were not picked up, it would be to sign a deal in Atlanta, not to hurry back to the West Coast. Citing his wife and himself being comfortable living in Atlanta making things “115 percent easier”, and the obvious playing time opportunity with the Hawks, Hansen makes it clear that Atlanta is where he would like to be and is itching to help change the team’s nationwide losing reputation.

But though Travis would like to negotiate a longer deal with Atlanta, seeing the way that Billy Knight has dealt with contracts even in his short stint in Atlanta, Hansen will likely have to play out the option year of the contract.

Knight played somewhat of hardball with Jason Terry last summer, and (this is an understatement) didn’t overpay Stephen Jackson to come in towards the end of the offseason, all the while waving goodbye to popular role player Ira Newble and his 5 year contract demands. Knight knows the advantage of making a good deal for the franchise and the only way we see this option year changing is if Hansen gives Knight an even better financial reason to do so.

If the option year is a cheap one, and if it wasn’t, we don’t think that Hansen and his agent would be trying to negotiate a new deal, then Knight is likely to take the cheap year of Hansen to help him fill out his 12 man roster which, as stated, is lean on ball players. The option year has been rumored to be as little as 400K for next season, which might make for some cheap production if Hansen continues his improvement and energetic play.

Hansen acknowledges that the Hawks have the power to simply pick up that year, but is optimistic about trying to work things out and added that, no matter what transpires, he will be in Florida shortly to begin to get ready for the Hawks Summer League team. Hansen also said that the whole situation will probably be complete within the next month.

With this knowledge, this means the Hawks will likely be protecting Hansen in the upcoming Expansion Draft for the incoming Charlotte Bobcats (June 22 or 23). When asked about the Hansen option year and what that might mean to the expansion draft, Knight only acknowledged that the Hawks do indeed have the option and that things have been worked out with regard to the expansion draft.

[PushaC]

sounds good. u gotta love the slim shady hair style.

[cyman3]

the dude comes cheap... and has played well last few 7 games. its a very low risk move...

i dont mind him being back... worst case, as our 11th-12th man...

[KB21]

Travis Hansen is quality depth that showed the ability to defend on the perimeter and finish at the rim on offense. He's got some things he still needs to work on, but he's a good player to have learn behind Bob Sura.

Two of the 10 best athletes in the draft last year were Kirk Hinrich and Travis Hansen. Of course, no one will believe that because they are white, but it is a fact. They tested out better in speed drills, agility drills, and leaping drills than a lot of other players.

[Blunt91]

I think he deserves more than 400,000 for next season. They could at least give him around 700,000. The league minimum of 400,000 is for washed up veteran players like a Oliver Miller still trying to play the game.

[pathway23]

Definitely a good move! I saw Hansen in preseason, before he got injured, get his head over the rim! he has amazing leaping ability. His defense is incredible as well. He is probably one of the top 5 most athletic white guys in the whole NBA. if he knocks down his perimeter J consistently he could be one of the league's better bench players and could be part of an effective 8 or 9 man rotation for a playoff team.

[TheDude]

what's coincidental is Bobby Sura used to be one of the most athletic white guys in the league when he was younger.

[DominiqueWilkins]

I wouldn't give him 700,000, but maybe give him a raise.

Geez, Jackson made 1 million, which he was being under paid.

Hansen needs to prove something this season, if he is wanting a longer contract. I am pleased to hear we will most likely pick up his option, but he needs to be very prepared next season.

[OGRat]

I'd just hate to lose a good player to free agency without compensation. Would he be a restricted FA next Summer? If so, I'd say let it ride. This is business, not charity. He has not yet proven he deserves another contract.

[Traceman]

Billy Knight giving him a raise until he see how we fare in free agency. More than likely, if Travis is back, he will be back because we picked up his option. I'll be very surprised if he gets a new deal this off season.