Atlanta Hawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Billy Knight has announced the signing of free agent center Lorenzen Wright to a contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not released. InsideHoops.com hears it's a two-year deal for about $3 million per season, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.
A ten-year veteran, Wright, returns to the Hawks after five seasons with
the Memphis Grizzlies, where he averaged 5.8 points and 6.9 rebounds in
78 games this past season. He spent two years in Atlanta from
1999-2001, tallying 9.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg, with a career-high 12.4 scoring
average in his final season. Wright has career averages of 8.8 points
and 6.9 rebounds (.460 FG%).
The Hawks previously obtained Wright for two first-round draft picks in
an August 8, 1999 trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, the team that
originally drafted him 1996 (sixth choice overall).
"Lorenzen's addition really upgrades our frontcourt," said Knight, "as
we become significantly better at that spot than we were a year ago.
He's a familiar name to our fans from his previous stint here, and he is
capable of playing multiple positions for us. In addition, Lorenzen
also provides us with a physical presence in the paint along with Zaza
(Pachulia) and Esteban (Batista) as we get ready for the upcoming
season."
Wright concluded his Grizzlies career among the all-time leaders in
points (8th), rebounds (4th) and games played (6th), and tallied 9.4
points and 4.8 rebounds in 336 games for his hometown team. He has
played in 15 postseason contests (with 11 starts) and recorded 7.7
points and 5.3 rebounds (.495 FG%, .652 FT%). A native of Memphis,
Wright played collegiately at the University of Memphis (then Memphis
State) where he earned third team Associated Press All-America honors
after his sophomore campaign.
InsideHoops.com Editor Says: Wright is a decent signing. The Hawks paid a fair price. The team is weak up front and he may help as much as anyone they already have on the roster. However, they're still very weak at the power forward and center spots.
