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Hawks sign Joe Smith

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran power forward Joe Smith to a contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “the contract is a one-year deal Tuesday for the veteran’s minimum salary, approximately $1.3 million.”

“Joe’s acquisition provides us with a solid complement to our frontcourt,” said Sund. “Not only does he bring years of experience to our team, but his versatility gives our coaching staff a player who can play multiple positions and an individual who will provide tremendous leadership in the locker room.”

The 6-10, 225-pound Smith is a 14-year NBA veteran who most recently played 21 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. Before joining the Cavs, he spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder (where he participated in 36 contests), who bought out the remainder of his contract and released him on March 1. Smith saw action in 13 playoff games for Cleveland, averaging 5.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg (.460 FG%), and on the season, tallied 6.5 points and 4.7 rebounds (.496 FG%, .750 FT%).

Smith brings career numbers of 11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists (.456 FG%, .790 FT%) per game to the Hawks, where he will join experienced frontcourt mates Al Horford, Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia. The NBA’s number one overall pick in 1995 by the Golden State Warriors, Smith was the consensus College Player of the Year at Maryland in 1995 and named to the 1995-96 All-Rookie team in addition to finishing third in the voting for the league’s Rookie of the Year award.

He has played in 52 postseason games over his career, scoring 6.5 points and grabbing 4.6 boards, while shooting .459 from the field and 78 percent from the line.

He spent two-and-a-half seasons with Warriors, tallying a career-best 18.7 points in his second year and was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through the 1997-98 campaign. Following one year with the Sixers, Smith joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first of two stints in 1998-99 before signing with the Detroit Pistons for the 2000-01 season.

Following a return to the Timberwolves in the summer of 2001, Smith played two more years with Minnesota before moving on to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003-04. After three seasons with the Bucks, he played in only 11 games with the Denver Nuggets before being traded (along with Andre Miller) back to the Sixers (for Allen Iverson) for the remainder of the 2006-07 season.

For the next season (2007-08), Smith was a member of the Chicago Bulls and played in 50 contests, averaging 11.2 points before being traded in a three-team deal to Cleveland. He was a part of another three-team trade later that summer when the Cavaliers sent him to Oklahoma City, where he remained until he returned to Cleveland.

He was named Associated Press All-American and was the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Player of the Year as a sophomore at Maryland. In two seasons with the Terrapins, he averaged 20.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Joseph Leynard Smith, born July 26, 1975 in Norfolk, VA, will wear uniform number 32 with the Hawks.

Hawks may sign Joe Smith

Various reports quoted over the last month on the InsideHoops.com NBA rumors page stated that the Atlanta Hawks have had interest in the services of veteran forward/center Joe Smith. And now they may be set to sign him.

According to ESPN.com, “Joe Smith has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks for the veteran’s minimum, a source told ESPN’s Ric Bucher on Friday.”

Since entering the league in the 1995-96 season, the 6-10, 230-pound Smith has career averages of 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game.

Last season he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per outing.

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Houston Rockets sign David Andersen

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed center David Andersen to a multi-year contract. The Houston Chronicle reports that the deal is for three years.

The Rockets originally acquired the rights to Andersen from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for cash and future considerations on July 14.

Andersen (6-11, 245, Australia), who was originally selected by Atlanta in the second round (37th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, joined the Rockets after spending the 2008-09 season with Regal FC Barcelona in Spain. Andersen averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in helping FC Barcelona win the 2008-09 Spanish National Championship and a berth into the Euroleague Final Four. Andersen’s list of international accomplishments also includes three Euroleague titles with Virtus Bologna (2001) and CSKA Moscow (2006 and 2008). In addition, he was named to the 2004-05 All-Euroleague First Team while playing with CSKA Moscow.

A native of Carlton, Victoria, Andersen started his career at the Australian Institute of Sport before signing professionally with the Wollongong Hawks of the Australian NBL (1998-99). He then spent four seasons in Italy with Virtus Bologna (1999-2003) where he won the 2000-01 Italian National Championship, as well as the 2001 and 2002 Italian National Cup. Andersen joined Mens Sana Basket Siena for the 2003-04 campaign and helped capture another Italian National Championship that season. He played another four seasons with CSKA Moscow (2004-08), winning the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 Russian National Championship. While with CSKA Moscow, Andersen also helped capture the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Russian National Cup.

Andersen participated with the Australian National Team in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, averaging 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds with Australia during the 2008 Beijing Games. He also took home a gold medal at the 2005 and 2007 Oceania Championship. A member of the Australian U-18 and U-22 National Teams, Andersen was named the 1998 Australian Junior Male Player of the Year.

Boston Celtics sign Shelden Williams

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has signed free agent center/forward Shelden Williams to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Williams, a 6’9”, 250 lbs center/forward, was originally drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. The former Duke Blue Devil has posted career averages of 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. After being acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves from the Sacramento Kings on February 19, 2009, he appeared in 15 games for his new team and averaged 4.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I haven’t seen that Williams is a particularly good backup yet. Usually I’m able to at least say that a guy helps a team’s bench. I’m not saying that isn’t the case with Shelden, but he hasn’t really shown much so far. Still, he’s a young player and hopefully still improving.

Atlanta Hawks re-sign Marvin Williams

The Atlanta Hawks today re-signed restricted free agent forward Marvin Williams, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. ESPN reports that the deal is likely a five year, $37.5 million contract.

“Marvin is an important part of our core, and we’re very pleased to keep him in a Hawks uniform,” Sund said. “As one of our talented and versatile young veterans, he’s shown improvement every year in the league, and we look for that trend to continue. A big priority this summer was to retain as many of our free agents as possible and keep our nucleus intact, so Marvin’s return is significant for us.”

The 23-year-old Williams, entering his fifth year with the Hawks, averaged 13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.3 apg in 34.3 mpg (.458 FG%, .355 3FG%, .806 FT%) last season, playing in 61 games (59 starts).

Williams knocked down 55 three-pointers on the season after making just 25 in his first three seasons combined. He ranked second on the team in FTM (220), 3rd in rpg and 4th in ppg, FT% and 3FG%. He scored in double-figures 46 times, including 10 20-point outings, compiling six double-doubles.

In 284 career games, Williams is averaging 12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 1.4 apg in 31.7 mpg (.450 FG%, .801 FT%). He’s also seen action in 13 postseason contests (10 starting assignments), putting up 8.5 ppg.

Williams was originally selected by Atlanta with the second overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft.

Hawks to talk extension with Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson is the best player on the Atlanta Hawks roster, and they’d like to have him stick around. Although not a superstar, the versatile shooting guard has skills and should continue to be in All-Star team discussions for years to come.

I had heard they were planning on getting into this soon. Didn’t know when, though. Apparently quite soon. Sekou Smith of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (via blog):

Multiple sources have confirmed that Hawks general manager Rick Sund is on an extended trip to the left coast, and part of his itinerary includes time in Los Angeles for face-to-face talks about a contract extension with Joe Johnson’s camp. A three-time All-Star, Johnson is heading into the final year of the five-year, $70 million deal he signed in August 2005 (which if traced back, you will realize was the rebirth of the franchise that has since made the playoffs in back-to-back years). With superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh headlining next summer’s free agent crop, several teams are lining up to be major players.

Johnson isn’t worthy of the max and if he demands it the Hawks should balk. But assuming he’s reasonable, the two sides may be fairly close in their goals.

Milwaukee Bucks waive Salim Stoudamire

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on guard Salim Stoudamire, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Stoudamire, 26, was signed as a free agent on April 3, but did not appear in a game with Milwaukee. He appeared in 157 games with Atlanta from 2005-08 with career averages of 8.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist. Stoudamire was selected by the Hawks with the 31st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.

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Atlanta Hawks trade David Andersen rights to Houston Rockets

The Atlanta Hawks today traded the rights of David Andersen to the Houston Rockets for a future second round pick, cash and future considerations, it was announced by Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Previously selected by the Hawks in the second round of the 2002 Draft – the 37th pick overall – Andersen is an Australian professional basketball player who has played internationally since the 1998-99 season, most recently in the Spanish League with FC Barcelona.

In Euroleague play this past year, the 6-11 forward-center averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 contests (.544 FG%, .800 FT%), and in 36 games in ACB Spanish League competition, he tallied 10.0 ppg and 4.1 rpg (.480 FG%, .810 FT%).

Andersen, 29, started playing basketball at the Australian Institute of Sport (high school) and signed his first contract with the Wollongong Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League. Following one season, he signed a multi-year deal with Italy’s Virtus Bolonga (1999-03), with whom he won several titles in his four years there.

In the summer of 2003, he switched to the Italian club Montepaschi Siena, with whom he won another Italian Championship.

The next season, Andersen joined the Russian Super League club CSKA Moscow, and in four seasons, he earned All-Euroleague first team honors in 2004-05. That same year, CSKA reached the Euroleague Final Four.

He also competes as a member of the senior Australian national team, participating for his country in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Josh Childress staying in Greece for 2009-10

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (via blog): Josh Childress is going back to Greece. The former Hawks swingman said he is returning to Olympiakos for the 2009-10 season and will not opt out of his contract and return to the NBA. “I still have some unfinished business to tend to,” Childress said by phone early Tuesday morning. “I definitely have unfinished business in Greece.” … The Hawks own his NBA rights and will continue to do so, provided they extend him a qualifying offer again next summer. His status as a restricted free agent allows the Hawks to match any offers made to him by other NBA teams.

Atlanta Hawks re-sign Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia

The Atlanta Hawks have signed unrestricted free agents Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia to new contracts, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to keep Mike as part of our team,” Sund said. “His consistent production and leadership over the last year-and-a-half have been major components to the team’s success. In all of our postseason meetings and discussions, Coach Woodson stressed the importance of keeping him on board. Mike’s own desire to return to our team speaks to the confidence he has in the direction of the franchise, and in his teammates and coaches.”

Last year, Bibby became one of the league’s most dangerous long-range threats in his first full season in Atlanta, finishing 8th in the NBA with 167 3FGM (the sixth-most in a season in Hawks history), hitting .390, the third-best percentage of his career. He concluded the season averaging 14.9 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 rpg and 1.2 spg in 34.7 mpg (.435 FG%, .789 FT%) in 79 starts.

Bibby came to the Hawks from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second-round draft pick on February 16, 2008. He has played in 802 career regular season games and 69 playoff contests, including all 11 during the Hawks’ run into the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

“Zaza is a valuable piece of our frontcourt rotation,” Sund added. “In addition to his rebounding ability and scoring touch, his hustle and passionate play have connected with his teammates and the fans. He has excelled off the court as well, becoming a fixture in the Atlanta community.”

Pachulia appeared in 77 games last season (26 starts), and averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg (career-high .497 FG%, .709 FT%). He also tied for 30th in the NBA in offensive rpg (2.2). Pachulia played in all 11 postseason games (one starting assignment), and put in 6.9 ppg and 6.9 rpg, including 18 rebounds in the First Round game four win in Miami.

The Republic of Georgia native originally signed with the Hawks as a restricted free agent on August 11, 2005. He was selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.