2012-13 Atlanta Hawks
Draft Grades, Needs, Free Agents, Season Preview
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Atlanta Hawks
2011-12: 40-26, 5th in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 11th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Johan Petro/Keith Benson
PF: Josh Smith/Anthony Tolliver/Ivan Johnson/Jordan Williams/Mike Scott
SF: DeShawn Stevenson/Kyle Korver/Damion James
SG: Anthony Morrow/Louis Williams/John Jenkins
PG: Devin Harris or Jeff Teague
Head Coach: Larry Drew (3rd season)
Atlanta's offseason was:
... blowing up the ship. New Hawks general manager Danny Ferry fixed the previous regime's mistake of giving Joe Johnson max money two years ago by shipping him to Brooklyn for crappy expiring contracts and a future first-rounder. It was absolutely getting five cents on the dollar but part of the bigger picture for a franchise that just couldn't emerge as one of the top out East.
Ferry also cut the cord on former second-overall pick Marvin Williams, who never lived up to expectations. Swapping him for Devin Harris, who is in the final year of his deal, was a smart move since Williams still had one year left on his contract. Atlanta also made a couple of minor moves that will help the team in the short term. The team signed Louis Williams to an affordable deal; acquired Kyle Korver (another free agent in 2013) for next to nothing and drafted sharpshooter John Jenkins. Ferry clearly has a vision as to where this team should be heading and certainly was not shy about pulling the trigger on some major moves to free up cap space for the future.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... the Hawks can return to the playoffs. Atlanta has a solid run of five straight postseason appearances, and I would be surprised if the team can make it six in a row. I don't see Al Horford and Josh Smith being a one-two punch that can extend the Hawks' season - assuming Smith remains on the roster. Atlanta will need a bounce-back year from Harris and a career season from Morrow to have any chance of tasting the playoffs. Even teams like Detroit, Milwaukee, and Toronto will probably surpass the Hawks in the standings this season.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... Smith remains on the roster all season long and then leaves next summer via free agency. Ferry's next decision will be what to do with Smith. He is certainly a tradeable asset that could net Atlanta some expiring contracts, young players, and/or draft picks in return that will accelerate the team's rebuilding effort. I can't see Ferry willing to open up his wallet and giving Smith a monster extension, plus you'd have to imagine Smith would rather test the market than re-up with a team clearly going through some transition. Personally, I would be really surprised to see Smith still in a Hawks uniform after the trade deadline.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
Cap space will be plentiful as Horford, Williams, and Jenkins are the only players guaranteed to be under contract, which totals about $18.2 million. That means Atlanta will have a ton of flexibility to make a run at some of the marquee free agents if that's the route the team chooses to pursue. If not, expect the Hawks to try and load up on draft picks so they can follow the Oklahoma City blueprint that a ton of teams are utilizing and build through the draft while being smart about not overpaying mediocre talent with pricey, long-term deals. I wouldn't rule Ferry trying to shop Horford as well.
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
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All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Atlanta Hawks
2011-12: 40-26, 5th in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 11th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Johan Petro/Keith Benson
PF: Josh Smith/Anthony Tolliver/Ivan Johnson/Jordan Williams/Mike Scott
SF: DeShawn Stevenson/Kyle Korver/Damion James
SG: Anthony Morrow/Louis Williams/John Jenkins
PG: Devin Harris or Jeff Teague
Head Coach: Larry Drew (3rd season)
Atlanta's offseason was:
... blowing up the ship. New Hawks general manager Danny Ferry fixed the previous regime's mistake of giving Joe Johnson max money two years ago by shipping him to Brooklyn for crappy expiring contracts and a future first-rounder. It was absolutely getting five cents on the dollar but part of the bigger picture for a franchise that just couldn't emerge as one of the top out East.
Ferry also cut the cord on former second-overall pick Marvin Williams, who never lived up to expectations. Swapping him for Devin Harris, who is in the final year of his deal, was a smart move since Williams still had one year left on his contract. Atlanta also made a couple of minor moves that will help the team in the short term. The team signed Louis Williams to an affordable deal; acquired Kyle Korver (another free agent in 2013) for next to nothing and drafted sharpshooter John Jenkins. Ferry clearly has a vision as to where this team should be heading and certainly was not shy about pulling the trigger on some major moves to free up cap space for the future.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... the Hawks can return to the playoffs. Atlanta has a solid run of five straight postseason appearances, and I would be surprised if the team can make it six in a row. I don't see Al Horford and Josh Smith being a one-two punch that can extend the Hawks' season - assuming Smith remains on the roster. Atlanta will need a bounce-back year from Harris and a career season from Morrow to have any chance of tasting the playoffs. Even teams like Detroit, Milwaukee, and Toronto will probably surpass the Hawks in the standings this season.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... Smith remains on the roster all season long and then leaves next summer via free agency. Ferry's next decision will be what to do with Smith. He is certainly a tradeable asset that could net Atlanta some expiring contracts, young players, and/or draft picks in return that will accelerate the team's rebuilding effort. I can't see Ferry willing to open up his wallet and giving Smith a monster extension, plus you'd have to imagine Smith would rather test the market than re-up with a team clearly going through some transition. Personally, I would be really surprised to see Smith still in a Hawks uniform after the trade deadline.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
Cap space will be plentiful as Horford, Williams, and Jenkins are the only players guaranteed to be under contract, which totals about $18.2 million. That means Atlanta will have a ton of flexibility to make a run at some of the marquee free agents if that's the route the team chooses to pursue. If not, expect the Hawks to try and load up on draft picks so they can follow the Oklahoma City blueprint that a ton of teams are utilizing and build through the draft while being smart about not overpaying mediocre talent with pricey, long-term deals. I wouldn't rule Ferry trying to shop Horford as well.
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l
11-19-2012
06:18 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.152
(total posts: 1)
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l
Grant
07-13-2012
03:16 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.246
(total posts: 1)
25
10
hawks have had a great start by trading Johnson and Marvin and signing Louis Williams now lets get cp3
Grant
06-29-2012
03:18 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx8.86
(total posts: 1)
260
8
The hawks made a great pick in John Jenkins and in free agency they need to get Roy Hibbert and resign Tracy McGrady and Ivan Johnson at least. Then trade josh smith to a team like the bobcats or cavaliers for picks in next years draft
riley
06-28-2012
06:00 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx8.37
(total posts: 1)
10
9
i live in Michigan but ATL is my favorite team. they are lacking at the SF position in which they should take Jae crowder out of Marquette. born and raised in Georgia, he is very versitle and a hardworker. hes only 6'6 but his work ethic helps that out. Marvin williams i believe, is not washed down but no the right fit for ATL. they need Crowder to help out on their fast paced offense.
Ludacris
06-28-2011
06:05 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx1.96
(total posts: 1)
33
108
I live in ATL all my life. I've never seen our 3 and 4 so horrible. BOTH Marvin Williams & Josh Smith can't drive or shoot. Garbage players who score off teammates missed shots. Horford has a nice 12 ft shot. Joe Johnson is our best all around player from inside/ out. Teague has a drive but no shot. Hinrich can shoot but not drive. Talk around town says JOSH SMITH gets traded. WE need a second option on offense. I will even settle for Lamar Odom or Ron Artest.
Walter
06-21-2011
04:41 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx4.88
(total posts: 1)
33
94
First comment... we're going to have comment boards like this all over the site soon. We're still working out the kinks, so this is not the finished product.
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2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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Privacy Policy
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