Bleacher Report - Atlanta Hawks

Highlighting the Atlanta Hawks' Top Free-Agent Target at Every Position

Joe Wirth — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:37:50 -0400

With the expiration of many high-paying contracts, the Atlanta Hawks will have plenty of cap space to pursue a solid free-agent market in the 2013 offseason.

The most notable contract that is set to expire is that of Josh Smith. Smith is currently making $13.2 million per year and is looking for more in his next contract.

Do not expect the Hawks to re-sign Smith. He has been a good player for the franchise throughout his nine-year career, but he is not worth superstar money.

Other Hawks players whose contracts will be coming off the books include Devin Harris, Zaza Pachulia, Kyle Korver, Johan Petro and Dahntay Jones.

With the expiration of these contracts, Atlanta will be saving $25.5 million. Considering Korver is the only player from that group who averages more than 10 points per game, the franchise will get better value for its money.

It is likely that the Hawks will re-sign some of these players, but it also gives them the ability to have more freedom with their money and play a more active role in the 2013 free-agency scene.

The following are the top free-agent targets at every position for the Atlanta Hawks.

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Hawks Reportedly Considering Ettore Messina as NBA's First European Head Coach

Ryan Rudnansky — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:58:44 -0400

The Atlanta Hawks are considering hiring Ettore Messina, who would become the first European head coach in NBA history, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

The 53-year-old has not only won four Euroleague championships in his career, but he's also won five Russian League championships and four Italian League titles.

Los Angeles Lakers fans may recognize Messina. He was an assistant coach under Mike Brown during the 2011-12 campaign but left the NBA for CSKA Moscow with Brown's future murky at the time.

When Brown coached under Hawks general manager Danny Ferry during their days with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ferry actually asked Brown to study Messina's offense.

The Hawks, who could lose Josh Smith to free agency this summer, are in need of a shot in the arm. They've made the playoffs in six straight seasons but have yet to advance past the Eastern Conference semifinals. They lost in six games to the Indiana Pacers this year.

Messina is widely respected throughout the basketball community for his outstanding success. His ability to win with different teams in different leagues speaks to his coaching prowess, with the ability to adapt to numerous scenarios. He's long been a candidate to become the first European head coach in NBA history.

This may be a bit of gamble given Messina has never been a head coach in the most competitive league in the world, but you can't deny what he has done overseas. Hiring the veteran coach could end up paying off big for the Hawks.

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NBA Rumors: Breaking Down Latest Buzz From Around the League

Tyler Poslosky — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:22:37 -0400

The NBA rumor mill is swirling, and it will continue to gain traction as the summer rolls on. Paul Pierce and Bryan Colangelo are facing similar fates, while Stan Van Gundy could be with a new team in a familiar role come next season.

These rumors will surely be the first of many in what could prove to be a busy offseason in the NBA.

Has Pierce Played his Last game in Boston?

The Celtics may have a tough time retaining Pierce, according to CSNNE’s Greg Dickerson.

Dickerson firmly believes the Celtics will not bring back Pierce because of his hefty contract situation.

“I know that the company that Paul Pierce hangs around, they do not believe—and I don’t think Paul Pierce believes—that he is going to be brought back next year at $15 million,” Dickerson said. “I know for a fact that people around [him] have pretty much resigned themselves to the fact that he’s played his final game in a Boston Celtics uniform.”

Pierce averaged just shy of 19 points per game this season for the Celtics. If in fact he does not return next season, the Celtics could have a tough time filling his shoes.

Toronto and Jackson?

The Raptors are mulling the future of current president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

Phil Jackson’s name has popped up among the list of candidates suitable to fill the roll if Colangelo is fired. However, according to Michael Grange, that scenario is becoming less likely by the day.

“One name that can be crossed off any lists, sources say, is Phil Jackson,” Grange wrote, according to Sportsnet.ca. “The likelihood of Jackson relocating to Toronto and taking on a full-time role as a club executive are considered remote at this point.”

If Jackson wanted the job, he’d most certainly take it. He boasts all the necessary accolades to do so. But relocating would be taxing, mentally and physically.

For now, it looks as if Toronto will look elsewhere for a managerial position.

Hawks Looking for a New Coach

Current Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew’s contract doesn’t expire until late next month, however, according to ESPN.com, the team is eying a group of potential candidates for the gig.

“I have great appreciation and respect for Larry and how he led our team this season,” general manager Danny Ferry said, courtesy of ESPN.com.

Atlanta finished 44-38, made the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, but were upset by Indiana in the first round of the playoffs.

“At the same time, it is my responsibility and in the best interests of the Hawks organization to consider all of our options, and talk with other potential head coaches before making a decision about who will lead or basketball team," Ferry said.

Among the pool of coaches the Hawks have contacted, according to ESPN.com, include former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.

However, Van Gundy has told several teams he isn’t interested in coaching next season.

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Biggest Questions the Atlanta Hawks Must Answer This Offseason

Joe Wirth — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:44:34 -0400

The Atlanta Hawks are not an elite team as they are constructed now. If they want to become a member of the upper echelon of the NBA, they are going to have to make adjustments this offseason.

The biggest question facing the Hawks is can they make the proper adjustments to take the next step and become a part of the elite of the Eastern Conference and the NBA?

With the expiration of many high-paying contracts at the end of the season, the Atlanta Hawks will have plenty cap space to pursue a solid free-agent market in the 2013 offseason.

The most notable contract that is set to expire at the end of the season is that of Josh Smith. Smith is currently making $13.2 million per year and is looking for more in his next contract.

Assuming the Hawks lose Smith to another team through free agency, the biggest needs facing Atlanta this offseason are finding someone to replace Smith’s production, a big man who could provide a one-two punch with Horford and establish a defensive identity.

Two players who would satisfy these needs would be Andrew Bynum or Dwight Howard.

Although Horford is listed as Atlanta’s center, his size is more typical of a power forward. If the Hawks could acquire an impact big man though free agency, they would have one of the more formidable frontcourts in the NBA.

Any team who signs Bynum this offseason will be taking a big risk. With that risk, however, a team will be acquiring one of the few true centers in the NBA.

The risk is not just with his suspect knee, which is a major concern, but it is also with his attitude. He often sulked during his time with his Lakers and was never fully committed to playing with the 76ers this season.

All that being said, Bynum can be a dominant player and will be one of the most coveted players this offseason. Although it may seem like he has been around for a long time, he is only 25 years old and just entering the prime of his career.

During the 2011-12 season—his last full season of play—Bynum was beginning to hit his stride. He averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game.

After his acrimonious departure from Los Angeles and his subsequent injury problems in Philadelphia, people have forgotten what kind of player Bynum is—a young center just entering his prime with the potential to become a dominant force in the NBA.

Bynum would play center and that would allow Horford to play power forward, a position that he is more comfortable playing.

The risks are obvious, but if Atlanta ponies up and offers Bynum the kind of money he is expecting, the reward could be great.

If Bynum can return to the production he had in the 2011-12 season, he will immediately vault the Hawks into the elite of the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta native Dwight Howard would be another player who could fill the void at center for Atlanta. Like Bynum, his attitude in Los Angeles was in question, but if he is healthy (many question if he was fully recovered from his back injury this past season) and focused, Howard can be one of the most dominant players in the NBA.

At the end of his tenure with the Orlando Magic and in his one season in Los Angeles, Howard was not happy and is play suffered because of it.

A homecoming could do him a lot of good, and if the Hawks are willing to make the financial commitment necessary to land a star like Howard, they would have an elite big man for the foreseeable future.

Both Bynum and Howard would provide a dynamic presence in the paint on the offensive and defensive end. They would give the Hawks a dominant big man that would replace Smith's offensive production and vault them into the NBA elite.

The main questions facing the Hawks this offseason is how will they replace the probable departure of Josh Smith and how can they improve their defense to become a team that can succeed in the playoffs. Howard and Bynum would provide answers to these questions.

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