Hinrich hopes to stay with Hawks

[HMFFL]

SACRAMENTO—At last season's trade deadline Hawks guard Kirk Hinrich was looking forward to the chance to leave the struggling Wizards for a playoff team.

It's different this time around for Hinrich. His name is circulating in trade rumors because of Atlanta's glut of guards and his expiring contract but Hinrich hopes he's still with the Hawks after Thursday's deadline.

“I like our team,” Hinrich said before the Hawks played the Kings late Sunday. “I feel like we can be a dangerous team come playoff time. I want to be a part of that.” http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks ... 81156.html

I doubt he intends on sticking around after the season. It's just more convenient for him (moving, etc) for him to stay a Hawk until the end of the season.

[Superiorblogman]

Doubt if we can afford him as a backup PG. Currently, we are looking at $9 million max able to spend needing 7 players to fill out the roster next year. Maybe they can afford him at $2 to $2.5 million next year and that is kind of reaching. Looks like he is this years Jamal though. Should definitely be moved but probably want be and probably want resign because management has no intentions of re-signing him.

[HMFFL]

Doubt if we can afford him as a backup PG. Currently, we are looking at $9 million max able to spend needing 7 players to fill out the roster next year. Maybe they can afford him at $2 to $2.5 million next year and that is kind of reaching. Looks like he is this years Jamal though. Should definitely be moved but probably want be and probably want resign because management has no intentions of re-signing him.

I'd like to see him moved at the deadline. I have no reason to believe he'll be extended after the season or they he'd even strongly consider signing an extension. I think he prefers to stay here for the rest of the season to save himself the hassle of moving. It'd be nice to acquire some value for him considering what we gave up.

[MaceCase]

Who wouldn't want to hang with the rest of the VetMins on the bench? Looks like a fun bunch.

[theatlfan]

Don't know much about Hinrich the person, but I think this is a genuine statement. There's something about failing to produce for someone who gave up something to get you, and Hinrich knows that we gave up 2 1sts for him. I do think that he also knows that his days of having a big contract are just about over and he isn't going to burn any bridges in trying to hang onto his NBA career. Netting $1-2M in the NBA is prolly more pay and more fun than whatever his degree (if he got one) from Kansas will net him next year.

One more thing: Hinrich does say the same things I hear every time an NBA player talks about the Hawks - we have the potential to be very good team. The length, athleticism, and skill level of our top players is elite even in NBA terms. H3ll, even some of our role players have a combination of those 3 that is very exciting too. Our problem is that we've never really meshed and been able to have all our guys hitting on all cylinders for an extended playoff run (and, really, an extended regular season run). I'd guess it's a problem with coaching, but I'd also guess there's more to it than just that.