Zaza Pachulia to have season ending surgery

[GrimeyKidd]

Soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Zaza Pachulia will undergo surgery on his right Achilles tendon and miss the rest of the season, reports Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The nature of the surgery is unclear, as is Pachulia's timetable for recovery, according to Vivlamore, but the news appears to be a blow to the center's free agent stock. The 6'11" 10-year veteran has missed the last 15 games for Atlanta with soreness in the tendon.

The 29-year-old previously said he's been exercising caution so that he doesn't tear the Achilles, a serious injury that could jeopardize his readiness for training camp in the fall. Whether or not the tendon is torn, teams could be wary of committing to a spot starter whose health is in question. He's making $5.249MM this year in the last season of four-year, $19MM contract he inked with the Hawks in 2009.

[MaceCase]

Tough break for Zaza, has had two postseason robbed now due to injury.

[Jamaaliver]

A Haiku

He was blue collar
No one played harder than him
He head butt KG

But seriously, he will be missed.

In my 17+ years as a Hawk fan, there are few players I've rooted for as much as ZP. Hope gets re-signed and spends the rest of his career here.

Either way, hope we retire his jersey to the rafters.
Fan favorite. Goon. Hawk. Get better, old friend.

[ATL Boy]

A Haiku

He was blue collar
No one played harder than him
He head butt KG

But seriously, he will be missed.

In my 17+ years as a Hawk fan, there are few players I've rooted for as much as ZP. Hope gets re-signed and spends the rest of his career here.

Either way, hope we retire his jersey to the rafters.
Fan favorite. Goon. Hawk. Get better, old friend.