Next years Hawks FA Acquisition...

[Diesel]

Micheal Olowokandi.

Bring the Kandi man to Atlanta!!

7 foot 270. Can run the floor. He doesn't rebound so well but I think he can get us 12/10 in 35 mpg. A decent Shot blocker.

[KB21]

IMO, for a guy of his ability, 12 and 10 is a deplorable number, especially for the money he will likely get from someone.

[KB21]

...the names that pop out at me are:

Ben Wallace -- I'm not sure what he's going to get on the open market. He will likely look for a max deal, but do you give a max deal to a defensive specialist? He would be a great fit for the Hawks, but the Hawks may pass on him due to the price and his age.

Nene Hilario -- Nene will be a great fit for the Hawks and will be looking to get out of Denver next year since they don't seem to want to start him. He's a great defensive presence in the paint with a developing offensive game. He will be a highly sought after free agent, but he is restricted. I doubt Denver lets him get away for nothing. I believe he will be at the top of the Hawks list though.

Chris Wilcox -- It seems that a Wilcox rumor has been around Atlanta ever since BK became the GM. I haven't heard of BK talking about Wilcox any, but he does seem to be the type of player BK likes to get. He's long and very athletic, but he may lack the versatile skills BK is looking for in a player.

Lorenzen Wright -- He's not a great player, but he is a solid inside player that will rebound and play solid defense. He's looking for an extension in Memphis and will likely be traded. Could Atlanta be looking to acquire Wright in a trade from Memphis? Whatever extension he signs would have to be lower than what he is currently making though. He'll give you 12 points and 8 rebounds a night.

Kelvin Cato -- An active shot blocker who doesn't do much else. He's a big guy, but he probably isn't a good fit in Atlanta due to a lack of versatility.

John Salmons -- Philly may shoot themselves in the foot this offseason, because I doubt they will be able to afford Salmons after this season. There are some teams that will be willing to give Salmons an opportunity to start because he is a 6'7" guy with the versatility to play point guard and shooting guard. This will endear him to BK, IMO, and it wouldn't surprise me to see BK make a move on him so he can stockpile those long, athletic, and versatile players that can play point guard. Salmons is restricted, but I don't see how it is possible that Philadelphia will be able to match an offer.

Jared Jeffries -- A player that I liked in the draft a few years ago. He's a long, versatile athlete that can play the three and the four.

[Diesel]

Money isn't even the talking point yet?

He's making the MLE Now if I'm not mistaken...

I don't think he'll get much more than that because of what he has turned in since getting the last contract.

But...

as lowly as his numbers are, I would still take him at a little more than we're paying ZaZa and he would prolly be my starting C. Because he does play some defense, he is big, and he can rebound (a little). I would be overjoyed with 12/10 from the C position. We play a forwards game.

[NickJYD]

I like Wilcox. Hes a bad MF that hasnt gotten a ton of time because of Elton Brand.

[KB21]

I wouldn't take him over Zaza because I know the Hawks will get the most out of Zaza's ability. Olowokandi is a lost cause because he has no heart.

The Hawks would actually be better off to get Eddy Curry than Olowokandi. Curry at least brings some offensive skills to the table. Kandi man brings nothing but size. He's nothing more than a Benoit Benjamin clone.

[Diesel]

Of the guys you mentioned, here's my thoughts...

I would take Ben at the Max for 5 yrs. The reason is because he has the work ethic that I think he'd be better than Karl Malone at the same ages. I also think that you can't train what Ben has. He's a freak of nature and with his wind, he'd be a good addition.

Kevin Cato. I see him as being a good pickup for us. I wouldn't give him big money, but I would give him maybe a 5 yr deal for 34 million.

Nene. You're right, he's a perfect fit for us. Skies the limit (if he's healthy). He's actually on the trading block now. He was rumored to go to Denver.

Wilcox. Though he's been rumored to come here, I just can't see it.

If Wilcox is a FA, then Ely is one too. I would give Ely a look. But not for much cash.

[KB21]

Both Wilcox and Ely will be RFAs. I think Wilcox is the better player. With Brand out, I think Wilcox put up around 15 ppg and 7 rpg or so.

[Diesel]

I think Ely will be ufA because he was picked up in the supplemental draft and I think he got a 2 yr deal.

but...

I believe Wilcox is better than Ely... however, not consistent.

[Nicholasp27]

like =chill was not consistent??

[Weez]

he suffers from the same ailments as Curry.

let's see what we need/what moves are made/ how're we're looking a year from now before starting this sort of speculation.

FAR to early.

[Plainview1981]

I agree about the Kandi man. Everytime I see him

play he comes off as nothing more than a scrub. He

rebounds slightly well, but he doesn't really offer

anything that makes him worthwhile.

[mrhonline]

Gotta go young and go potential.

It's going to be Nene at the max or a trade. Just my two cents.

[1524]

I think it will be Wallace and Wilcox, I think we will get Big Ben at the max and Wilcox through trade(SNT with Al Harrington maybe?)

[skaughtybee]

Quote:

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I would take Ben at the Max for 5 yrs.

I think he'd be better than Karl Malone at the same ages.

---

Excuse me while I choke on my dinner. There is only one active PF that can be mentioned in the same breath as Malone, and he plays for the Spurs.

[cly2tw]

Quote:

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Quote:

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I would take Ben at the Max for 5 yrs.

I think he'd be better than Karl Malone at the same ages.

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Excuse me while I choke on my dinner. There is only one active PF that can be mentioned in the same breath as Malone, and he plays for the Spurs.

---

Actually, 'at the same age' should at least qualify Amare in that select category too.

[TnDawg]

If Nene is on the trading blocks, maybe we can get him for Al and Salim. Salim to me, will is the equivalent of a 1st, and I would hate to lose him. I still can't think of a reason he hasn't been signed yet, unless they are considering using him in a deal. With JJ and Marvin our outside shooting should be better anyway, and we could still look to sign some more help there.

[CBAreject]

What is Ben Wallace? 29? 30?

Yeah, Karl Malone was just leading the league in scoring at that age, but that's just about it.

I guess Big Ben's 2 extra rebounds per game more than compensates for the 15-18 ppg Karl Malone would outscore him.

This is so absurd. Malone was just a ridiculous player with absurd longevity. Ben Wallace can't even be compared to him. They aren't the same type of player.

[CBAreject]

Alright, this is just out of control! Nene has never done anything to show himself worthy of a MAX deal. He has potential, but I'd rather not throw 70 million at potential.

[CBAreject]

Karl Malone is a CAREER 25 and 10 player. How many of those do you know of? How unbelievable is that, to AVERAGE 25 pts and 10 reb per game for the entire career.