
DRAFT PICKS:
Jeff Teague, G, 6-1, Wake Forest (first round) -- The Hawks had to have a young point guard added to the mix with the loss of Acie Law IV. And in a draft dripping with point guard talent, Teague could prove to be a steal at 19. Sergiy Gladyr, G, 6-5, Ukraine (second round) -- Hawks fans will have to search YouTube for clips of Gladyr the next couple of years, because the sweet shooting guard is likely to remain in Europe to develop.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: Mike Bibby is the linchpin. If the Hawks can re-sign him, their backcourt rotation goes from a relative weakness to an absolute strength, especially if they can keep Flip Murray in the fold as well. Zaza Pachulia has to be re-signed as well or the Hawks' will have a gaping hole in the frontcourt rotation. Marvin Williams is a restricted free agent and could play out his year on a $7.5 million qualifying offer (which might be more than he would command anywhere else in a long-term deal). The wildcards are Josh Childress and David Andersen. Both spent last season in Europe but have the option of coming to the Hawks this summer. The addition of one or both would be huge, giving the Hawks quality depth at two crucial positions. But the chances of that happening seem remote at best.
PLAYER NEWS:
--F Josh Smith will represent the Hawks at the USA Basketball mini-camp in Las Vegas in July 25.
It's his first twirl with the national program since his high school days, but a step that pleases the Hawks' brass.
"This a tremendous honor and opportunity for Josh," Hawks general manager Rick Sund said. "And we are pleased to hear that he has received the chance to display his talents within USA Basketball's highly competitive program. He is starting to gain notice around the league for the versatility he brings to the court on a nightly basis, and we fully believe he will continue to grow from this experience."
--G Mike Bibby might have played his last game in a Hawks uniform. The addition of Jamal Crawford certainly gives the Hawks the option of not playing the summer-long negotiating game with the veteran point guard. Even though the Hawks have maintained a public stance of wanting to bring Bibby, 31, back into the fold as a starter. It's hard to imagine them paying Crawford close to $10 million a year to back up Bibby.
--G Joe Johnson stands to gain the most from the addition of Crawford, who is a bigger guard and better outside shooter than either Bibby or Flip Murray in the backcourt. That means opposing teams will have to deal with a lineup that goes 6-5 or taller across the board. And that also means Johnson won't have to guard smaller guards on the defensive end and bigger and more physical wing players will have he and Crawford to worry about on the offensive end.
"There will be matchup issues for a lot of teams depending on what lineups we throw out there at any given time," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "That's always a good thing from a coaching standpoint."
MEDICAL WATCH:
--C Al Horford got a clean bill of health for the summer after struggling in the playoffs with an ankle injury.
--G Joe Johnson has finally had a chance to rest his injured left foot that Hawks coach Mike Woodson said bothered him more than anyone let on during the playoffs.