Lots of names on the NBA free agents list. Especially Hawks.
More than half of the roster could depart, though Atlanta Hawks management is wrestling with only four of them. Let's start with the biggie.
Mike Bibby made the third highest salary -- a few five-star meals shy of $15 million -- among NBA point guards last season. He is nowhere close to the third best point guard.
Some team out there will offer Bibby a contract within range of $10
mil, maybe more. That's how free agency works, especially in a shallow
pool like this year's.
That team likely won't be the Hawks. They acquired Jamal Crawford by trade and Jeff Teague by draft. Both play the point, if not full-time.
So, let's assume Bibby's outa here. Who among the other significant Hawks free agents might be retained?
Forward Marvin Williams, probably, because he is a restricted free agent and the Hawks are inclined to grant him one more year before locking him in or cutting him loose. Too much upside to take a chance on getting burned.
Guard Flip Murray, probably, because he comes cheaply and is a prototype off-the-bench guy who starts occasionally without downgrading the lineup.
Big man Zaza Pachulia, maybe. Depends on if Z gets a whopping offer. The Hawks would welcome back the enforcer who backs down from nobody but won't reach into a higher salary bracket.
That team likely won't be the Hawks. They acquired Jamal Crawford by trade and Jeff Teague by draft. Both play the point, if not full-time.
So, let's assume Bibby's outa here. Who among the other significant Hawks free agents might be retained?
Forward Marvin Williams, probably, because he is a restricted free agent and the Hawks are inclined to grant him one more year before locking him in or cutting him loose. Too much upside to take a chance on getting burned.
Guard Flip Murray, probably, because he comes cheaply and is a prototype off-the-bench guy who starts occasionally without downgrading the lineup.
Big man Zaza Pachulia, maybe. Depends on if Z gets a whopping offer. The Hawks would welcome back the enforcer who backs down from nobody but won't reach into a higher salary bracket.
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