Hawks have plenty of needs this offseason

[HMFFL]

The Hawks’ second straight playoff appearance left Atlanta general manager Rick Sund with the team’s lowest first draft pick since 2003.

Sund says he has a relatively simple strategy for the No. 19 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. “When picking after the top six, you want to pretty much look at the best player available,” he said this week.

The Hawks face pivotal decisions with several free agents.

Point guard Mike Bibby is an unrestricted free agent. Another starter, forward Marvin Williams, is a restricted free agent.

Guard Flip Murray, who averaged 12.2 points as the top scorer off the bench, and backup center Zaza Pachulia also are restricted free agents.

It may be difficult for the Hawks to re-sign both Bibby, who made $14.9 million this season, and Williams, who made $7.4 million. Pachulia made $4 million.

Coach Mike Woodson said the trade for Bibby in the 2007-08 season was the final piece that sent the Hawks to their first playoff appearance since 1999. The loss of Bibby would create a huge void.

Sund says he’d like to keep as many players as possible.

“Of the eight teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs, we were the youngest,” Sund said. “Our goal is to try to get as many players back as we can within the confines of the economic pie we have. That presents some challenges. You have to do the best you can with the situation you have. We have a lot of free agents this year.”

Long-suffering Hawks fans don’t have to be reminded of Bibby’s value.

Point guard was a weak spot before acquiring Bibby. Former general manager Billy Knight passed on point guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams when making Marvin Williams the No. 2 overall pick in 2005. Deron Williams and Paul were the next two picks.

Marvin Williams, who averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds last season, is only 22. He hasn’t matched Paul’s All-Star credentials, but he is viewed by the Hawks as an important part of a young nucleus that also includes center Al Horford, forward Josh Smith and guard Joe Johnson.

Bibby, 31, averaged 14.9 points and five assists as the Hawks finished 47-35 and were eliminated by Cleveland in the conference semifinals.

The Hawks have consistently protected their young players in their building process, but it’s not clear how age might affect offseason decisions on free agents.

Michael Gearon Jr., one of the team’s owners, said in a recent interview “Bibby to me is a young guy.”

If Sund expects Bibby to receive long-term offers from other teams, the GM might look for a less expensive option at point guard through free agency or the draft and focus on re-signing Williams, Pachulia and Murray. Acie Law, who played only 10 minutes per game in his second season, could be ready for a more important role at point guard.

The Hawks could try to clear salary room for both Williams and Bibby by trading their first-round pick, perhaps in a package with point guard Speedy Claxton. Claxton, bothered by persistent knee problems, appeared in only two games this season after missing the 2007-08 season Link

[td00]

Is it me or does it sound like the ASG and Sund are going to do their best to keep Bibby for at least 2 more years?
I don't see major changes coming up, coaching or roster.
Someone is going to have to come to Sund for him to make a major move.

Adding the 19th pick to the bench will probably be our biggest change this offseason.

[tbhawksfan]

Gotta go with Mullens or Hansbrough then.

[evildallas]

Gotta go with Mullens or Hansbrough then.

Ugh. For short term impact I like the PF/C options with the 49th pick over either of those. Mullens might have longer term impact, but I would expect nothing out of him next year. Hansbrough is my poster child of a bad pick. Almost every scout has been saying that he'll be mediocre at best in the NBA and that his game doesn't transfer well. He measures a little longer than some anticipated and all of a sudden we're supposed to do a 180 on him? I say no. We should be able to add a very competent 1, 2 or 3 to the team depending on the draft goes. Don't let our need for a big guide us into reaching for a position fit rather than taking NBA talent. When we did that with Shelden and Acie we've watched others thrive (Brandon Roy and Thad Young, respectively) while they couldn't even get on the court.

[KJizzle]

[quote="evildallas"][quote="tbhawksfan"]Gotta go with Mullens or Hansbrough then.[/quote]



Hansbrough !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1



your an idiot what couldhansbrough possibly do to help us

[td00]

Agree with Evil; I would like us to have an opportunity for either Lawson or Ellington. I prefer Lawson as he is a bigger need. WIll Woody even give a rookie PG a chance in the 1st couple of years?
Seriously, if we pick a PG, are we getting the 6th or 7th best PG at that point?

We need another shooter as well; Either Ellington or Jrue Holliday is probably our best options.

But Sund did say he would take the best player available so don't be surprised with another SF. There are more to choose from than SG or PG.

[parson]

Well, the good news is, so long as we "hit" on a pick, we'll benefit. We can use depth at any position.

And if we REALLY hit and find a starter at PG or center.....

[azuresou1]

I'd take Teague, then Lawson of the PGs available at that point.

Honestly, I think Hansbrough is underrated, and that he will do fairly well in the NBA, and turn into a Ronny Turiaf-type. That said, I would be pissed if we draft him, because we definitely don't need what he brings.

[td00]

I define a hit as a player who can come in and contribute his first year.

We need more depth immediately. Usually it is a shooter that can contribute more than other positions off the bench; see Flip.

We need shooters, that's for sure. And keep Smoove off the perimeter.

[azuresou1]

We need a true point before we need a shooter. Both in one would be a major plus, but I'd rather have a leader and floor general than a shooter.

Can you imagine if JJ had the same mentality as Kobe?

"Josh what the **** you thinking chucking 3's? Cut that **** out and drive the lane!"
"Al, stop playing like a little ***** and GTF down low!"
"Coach, you're absolute garbage. **** it, I'm calling the plays now!"

JJ's supposed to be Kobe-lite, right? He should pick up some of the attitude and leadership too.

[parson]

Right, td00, to me, a "hit" is getting a player who becomes a real NBA player. He doesn't have to be a star or even a starter, just belong in the NBA.