Atlanta Hawks Blog – Page 56 – NBA Blog

Hawks sign-and-trade Willie Green to Clippers

The Atlanta Hawks today completed a sign-and-trade transaction that sends Willie Green to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the rights to Sofoklis Schortsanitis, it was announced by President of Basketball Operations/GM Danny Ferry. The move also creates a trade exception for the Hawks.

A nine-year NBA veteran, Green has averaged 9.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists over his career. In 53 games played for the Atlanta Hawks last season, Green tallied 7.6 points in 17.4 minutes per game.

Green was originally drafted by the Seattle Super Sonics with the 41st overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft out of the University of Detroit Mercy. He was traded on draft night to the Philadelphia 76ers where he would play for seven seasons before being traded to the New Orleans Hornets prior to the start of the 2010 season. Green spent one season in New Orleans teaming up with Clippers’ point guard Chris Paul before signing with Atlanta as a free agent prior to the start of the 2011-12 NBA season.

Schortsanitis was drafted by the Clippers with the 34th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft but never played for the team. Schortsanitis most recently played for Panathinaikos Athens in Greece and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

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Chicago Bulls sign guard Kirk Hinrich

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard Kirk Hinrich.

“We are pleased to be able to bring Kirk back to Chicago. His ability to play both spots in the backcourt will help us immensely this season,” said Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Kirk’s tenacity and passion for the game complement our style of play, and we look forward to seeing him back in a Bulls uniform.”

Hinrich (6-4, 190), originally drafted by Chicago in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, played the first seven seasons of his career with the Bulls. After being traded to the Washington Wizards on July 8, 2010, he spent the last two seasons with the Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks. Last year with the Hawks, he played in 48 games (31 starts) and averaged 6.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 2.1 rpg, 0.80 spg, 25.8 mpg, .414 from the field, .346 from behind the arc and .781 from the line.

“I’m very excited to be back in Chicago and to wear a Bulls uniform once again,” said Hinrich. “I look forward to getting back out on the court as a Bull, and contributing to the team in any way I can.”

In nine seasons in the NBA, the 31-year old Hinrich has played in 634 games (515 starts) and owns career averages of 12.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.2 rpg, 1.21 spg, 33.0 mpg, .417 from the floor, .378 from behind the three-point line and .811 from the free throw line. He also has played in 46 playoff games (37 starts), where he has averaged 13.4 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.9 rpg, 1.28 spg, 33.3 mpg, .430 field goal shooting, .404 three-point shooting and .763 free throw shooting.

Hinrich returns to Chicago as the franchise’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made (812) and three-point field goals attempted (2,144). He also ranks fourth in assists (3,004), fourth in steals (655), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.379), eighth in mpg (17,499), eighth in field goal attempts (6,053), 10th in scoring (6,902) and 11th in field goals made (2,510).

Hawks waive guard Jordan Farmar

The Atlanta Hawks today requested waivers on guard Jordan Farmar, it was announced by President of Basketball Operations/GM Danny Ferry.

Farmar was acquired from Brooklyn on July 11, along with Anthony Morrow, DeShawn Stevenson, Johan Petro, Jordan Williams, a first- and second-round pick, and other draft considerations, in exchange for Joe Johnson.

Farmar is expected to sign overseas shortly.

Bulls trade Kyle Korver to Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired veteran marksman Kyle Korver from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for cash considerations, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/GM Danny Ferry.

“I appreciate the toughness and the competitive energy Kyle brings to the game every night, and we’re very excited to add him to our team.” said Ferry. “Adding him makes shooting an even greater strength for our club.”

Korver spent the last two years with Chicago, where last season he put in 8.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 1.7 apg in 22.6 mpg (65 games, seven starts), and knocked down .432 FGs, .435 3FGs (10th in the NBA) and .833 FTs. In his nine-year career with Philadelphia, Utah and the Bulls, the 6-7 sharpshooter has averaged 9.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 1.6 apg in 24.2 mpg (.431 FG%, .413 3FG%, .877 FT%), and has hit 40%-or-better from behind the arc in all but three of his pro seasons.

He ranks tied for eighth among active players in three-point percentage, and has buried 1,134 in his career (regular season), placing him 21st among actives. In 2009-10 with the Jazz, he set a single-season NBA record, hitting .536 from downtown.

Bulls are sending Kyle Korver to Hawks

Though details had to be finalized and Kyle Korver had to pass a physical, the Bulls agreed in principle to trade the 3-point specialist to the Hawks via the Timberwolves on Friday, two sources with knowledge of the talks said.

There were late indications the three-team deal could fall apart, though that didn’t stop Korver from scheduling a flight from his offseason training base in California to Atlanta for the physical, the sources said.

The deal would take the Bulls off the hook for the $500,000 guarantee of Korver’s $5 million non-guaranteed salary for 2012-13 and slide him into the Hawks’ traded-player exception, acquired in the Joe Johnson deal with the Nets.

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Atlanta Hawks sign Lou Williams

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran guard Lou Williams to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/GM Danny Ferry. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“Upon learning of his situation, Lou was a player we really targeted for our club,” said Ferry. “He’s a young and experienced professional who is capable of providing leadership as a starter or a reserve, and his versatility is a tremendous plus for our backcourt.”

The 25-year-old Williams, is a 6-1 veteran who comes to Atlanta following seven seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he has emerged as one of the best sixth men in the NBA. He brings career averages of 11.3 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 455 games to the Hawks (.421 FG%, .337 3FG%, .798 FT%).

A hometown product who played his high school ball at South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, GA, Williams was selected by the Sixers in the second-round of the 2005 NBA Draft. The 45th pick overall, he was the recipient of the 2005 Naismith Award, signifying the nation’s top high school player and took home top honors in the state of Georgia (“Mr. Basketball”) after his junior and senior seasons. Named to the 2005 McDonald’s High School All-America team, Williams was a four-time All-State player at South Gwinnett and led the Comets to a 103-16 record over his career. He is also the second all-time leading scorer in Georgia high school basketball history.

Coming off a playoff performance where he averaged 11.5 ppg, 3.0 apg and 2.1 rpg in 27.5 minutes per contest, Williams was Philadelphia’s leading scorer in 2011-12 at a career-best 14.9 points per game clip. Having led the Sixers in total points (956) despite not starting a single game, he became the first player to accomplish this feat since Dell Curry did so for Charlotte in 1993-94. His play received praise from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, who voted him second behind Oklahoma City’s James Harden for this year’s KIA Sixth Man Award. Third on the team in assists (3.5 apg), Williams also averaged 2.4 rebounds and 0.8 steals, and converted 40.7% of his FGs, 36.2% of his three-pointers and 81.2% shooting from the FT line.

Originally committed to play for the University of Georgia before declaring himself available for the NBA, Williams had his #23 retired at South Gwinnett High.

Hawks trade Marvin Williams to Jazz for Devin Harris

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has acquired forward Marvin Williams from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Devin Harris, pending the outcome of physicals.

Williams (6-9, 245, North Carolina) is entering his eighth NBA season and has played in 487 career games (379 starts), all with Atlanta, owning career averages of 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.4 minutes. He helped the Hawks advance to the playoffs for the last five seasons, appearing in 42 playoff games (27 starts), after the franchise had failed to make the postseason the previous eight years. Williams saw action in 57 games (37 starts) for the Hawks in 2011-12, averaging 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 26.3 minutes while shooting a career-high .389 (58-149) from three-point range. He averaged double-figure scoring for the sixth straight season, posting 32 games with 10-plus points including 20-plus twice, and registered two double-doubles.

Originally selected by the Hawks in the first-round (second overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, Williams was selected to the NBA’s 2006 All-Rookie Second Team. He was also a two-time recipient (2008, 2011) of the Hawks’ Jason Collier Memorial Trophy for his work as a community ambassador.

Prior to the NBA, the 26-year-old Bremerton, Wash., native played one season at the University of North Carolina (2004-05), where he was a member of the Tar Heels’ 2005 NCAA Championship team. Williams’ tip-in with 1:26 remaining in the 2005 NCAA title game vs. Illinois broke a 70-70 tie, propelling UNC to a 75-70 victory. He earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors and was a unanimous selection to the ACC All-Freshman Team in his lone college season.

An eight-year veteran, Harris’ tenure in Utah consisted of 80 games after he was traded by the Nets (along with Derrick Favors and other considerations) on February 23, 2011. He helped lead the Jazz to the first round of the playoffs before they were eliminated in four games by Dallas. In 63 games this year, Harris tallied 11.3 points and 5.0 assists, and made 44.5% of his FG attempts while shooting 75 percent from the free throw line.

Selected as a reserve on the Eastern Conference’s All-Star team in 2009, Atlanta will be Harris’ fourth team since coming into the NBA in 2004. Picked fifth overall by Washington, he was traded to Dallas on draft night and played three and a half seasons for the Mavericks before he was traded to New Jersey on February 19, 2008.

In three-plus seasons with the Nets, Harris’ career numbers continued to improve, topped by a personal-best 21.3 ppg average in 2008-09. It was the fifth straight season in which his scoring totals increased, to go along with career highs in rebounds (3.3 rpg) and steals (1.6 spg). Harris brings career averages of 13.1 points, 5.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals to Atlanta, and he has connected on .441 FG%, .315 3FG% and 80.1 percent of his FTs.

Clippers sign Jamal Crawford

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent guard Jamal Crawford. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Crawford tallied 13.9 points, 3.2 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 26.9 minutes in 60 games played for the Portland Trail Blazers last season. Crawford also connected on 38 percent of his field goals, 31 percent of his three-point field goal attempts and 93 percent of his free throws on the year. Crawford finished the season ranked first in the NBA in free throw percentage.

Named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2009-10 while with the Atlanta Hawks, Crawford has averaged 15.3 points, 3.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 31.8 minutes over his career. He turned out his most productive NBA season in 2007-08 while with the New York Knicks, tallying 20.6 points, 5.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 39.9 minutes in 80 games played.

The eighth overall selection in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Crawford was part of a draft day trade that sent him to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to Chris Mihm. After four seasons in Chicago, Crawford was traded to the New York Knicks, where he remained until being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 2008. Crawford was traded to the Atlanta Hawks prior to the start of the 2009 season, remaining there until signing with Portland as a free agent prior to the start of last season.

Hawks trade Joe Johnson to Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired six-time All-Star guard Joe Johnson from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, DeShawn Stevenson, Jordan Williams, Johan Petro, Houston’s 2013 first round pick and the Nets’ second round draft pick in 2017, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“We are very pleased to add a perennial All-Star caliber player like Joe Johnson to our roster,” said King. “Joe is considered one of the premier guards in the NBA, and his skill and talent level will have a very positive impact on our team.”

Johnson, (6-7, 240), was selected 10th overall in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft by Boston. The Arkansas product is an 11-year NBA veteran and holds career averages of 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steal in 36.7 minutes per game. In 831 career games, including 761 starts, with Boston, Phoenix and Atlanta, he has shot .444 (5,673-12,779) from the field, .368 (1,281-3,479) from three-point range and .797 (2,130-2,672) from the line. Johnson is a six-time All Star, made the All NBA Third Team in 2010, won a bronze medal as part of Team USA at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan and was a member of the All-Rookie Second Team in 2002. In 60 games with the Hawks last season, Johnson averaged 18.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 35.5 minutes. He shot .454 (423-931) from the field, .388 (125-322) from behind the arc and .849 (158-186) from the line.

Farmar, (6-2, 180), appeared in 39 games, five starts, with the Nets last season and averaged a career-best 10.4 points along with 1.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 21 minutes. He shot career-bests .467 (147-315) from the field, .440 (55-125) from behind the arc (8th in the NBA), and .905 (57-63) from the line. In 413 career games, 25 starts, with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Nets, he has averaged 7.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 19.5 minutes. He has shot .427 (1,202-2,818) from the field, .367 (458-1,248) from behind the arc and .728 (321-441) from the line.

Morrow, (6-5, 210), made 62 appearances, including 18 starts, with the Nets last season and averaged 12.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 26.4 minutes. He shot .413 (272-658) from the field, .371 (106-286) from downtown and .933 (97-104) from the line. He scored a career-high 42 points, including a career-high 8-of-11 three’s vs. Minnesota on 2/3/12. In 256 career games, 119 starts, with Golden State and the Nets, Morrow has averaged 12.1 points and 3.0 rebounds in 27.4 minutes. He has shot .451 (1,135-2,515) from the field, .426 (442-1,037) from three-point range and .897 (374-417) from the line.

Williams (6-10, 260), selected in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Nets, played in 43 games as a rookie in 2011-12. The Maryland product averaged 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game.

Petro, (7-0, 247), appeared in 59 games, 10 starts with the Nets last season and averaged 4.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.6 minutes. He shot .419 (109-260) from the field and .838 (31-37) from the line. In 442 career games, 131 starts, with Seattle/Oklahoma City, Denver and the Nets, he has averaged 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in 15.6 minutes.

Stevenson, (6-5, 218), appeared in 51 games, 30 starts, with the Nets last season and averaged 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 18.8 minutes. In 768 career games, 511 starts, with Utah, Orlando, Washington, Dallas and the Nets, he has averaged 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.5 minutes.

Jordan Farmar to be bought out; will play in Europe

Jordan Farmar is okay with it. The former Nets backup point guard, traded to Atlanta Tuesday as part of the package the Nets used to acquire all-star guard Joe Johnson, will be bought out by the Hawks today for $1.5 million. And once he clears waivers and is officially a free agent, Farmar, who played in Israel last summer during the NBA lockout, intends to go play in Europe, with Anadolu Efes, of Istanbul.

Farmar had the option of becoming a free agent this summer or exercise his player option to play for the Nets one more year, at $4.25 million. Farmar decided on June 30 — the day he had to make the decision and hours before free agency began — to pick the option up. But two days later, he was included in the trade to Atlanta, along with Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro and Jordan Williams. With a three-year offer from Efes on the table, Farmar asked to be bought out, and the Hawks were willing to accommodate him.

— Reported by Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger