SB Nation Kansas City: All Posts by Kris Willis

Dwight Howard to take a 'hard look at several teams' in free agency

2013-05-20T10:00:04Z

The NBA's free agent period is a little more than a month away and the rumors surrounding Dwight Howard are starting to swirl once again. CBSSports.com's Ken Berger names the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks as two of several teams that Howard will take a hard look at in free agency this summer.

Howard plans to explore all such options, and a person briefed on his plans told CBSSports.com that there are "several" teams the free-agent center is "going to take a hard look at."

The Atlanta Hawks aren't mentioned anywhere in the article but there is little doubt that general manager will be in touch with Howard's agents minutes after the free agency period opens. The Rockets are the hottest name out there right now but would have to make a couple of minor moves to be able to sign Howard. The same applies to the Mavericks' situation who would have to dump a player or two to be able to give Howard a max offer. Atlanta will have enough room to offer Howard a max deal when free agency opens.

The Los Angeles Lakers are still favored to keep Howard by virtue of being able to offer him a more lucrative contract than any other team. However, Berger points out a scenario where a four-year deal might be beneficial to Howard.

But Howard is only 27, and barring a career-ending injury, he'll clearly get one more max deal after this one. A four-year deal with an opt-out after three years, for example, would in some ways be preferable to Howard because he'd hit the open market again at age 30 and could then secure his five-year max deal.

Howard had back surgery prior to last season and played with a torn labrum for much of the season so the injury risk will have to be weighed by his camp but if healthy he should have no trouble maintaining a max level for the duration of his next contract.

The Atlanta Hawks have been thought of as a longshot to land Howard who has not shown any indication that he desires to play for his hometown team. Ferry's job when free agency opens will be to sell Howard on his vision of the Atlanta Hawks going forward. Ferry will have to convince Howard not just to come home but that home is the place where he can win a championship.

Hawks coaching search: Stan Van Gundy, others interview for Atlanta's head job

2013-05-19T23:41:41Z

Larry Drew remains under contract with the Atlanta Hawks but the team is actively pursuing other candidates to fill the role next season.

Atlanta Hawks general manager Danny Ferry met with the media on Saturday as part of the Hawks' exit process. During his talk, he discussed the status of his head coach Larry Drew and said that he would take some time before deciding whether to bring back Drew or begin a coaching search.

"We're going to take some time, give it some distance, give it some space from the season, from the playoffs, from the emotions of that," Ferry said on the practice court at Philips Arena. "Then we'll make decisions that we feel are best in the short-term and long-term interests of the team."

Ferry is expected to rebuild the Hawks from the ground up with a roster that essentially includes three players who are under contract for next season. That could include Drew with whom he inherited after taking over for Rick Sund last summer.

Drew helped guide the Hawks to a 44-38 mark during the regular season and is 128-102 in three seasons with Atlanta. The Hawks have made the playoffs in all three seasons and upset the Orlando Magic in the first round in 2010. Atlanta has been ousted in the first round the last two seasons by the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers.

"I thought we had a really good season given what our circumstances were. They weren't the best," Drew said. "Whether I'm back here or not, I don't know. The one thing I will say is I've had a great run here."

Mike Scott discusses rookie season in return home

2013-05-19T12:13:59Z

Atlanta Hawks rookie Mike Scott was back home in Virginia on Saturday to visit his old high school and sign autographs at a Norfolk Foot Locker. While there, Scott talked about his transition to the NBA and admitted that it wasn't always a smooth ride.

"At first you're thinking you'll play a lot, and you came from a college where you played a lot., you're the man, and actually that's not what it is," recalled Scott, "It's a big transition. You want to start over, take your time and basically learn your role."

Scott also discussed his trip to the D-League and how at first a demotion to the NBA's minor league system can be seen as a negative by a player.

"At first, I was like, 'Man, do they not think I can play?' But that was just the immaturity," Scott said, "(The D-league) was basically to get down there and get some playing time, have fun and play.

"At the same time I went down there, I took care of business."

By all accounts Scott was a class act during his rookie season and depending on what moves are made this offseason seems like a good bet to return to the Hawks next season. Currently his contract for next season is non-guaranteed. He averaged 4.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 40 games with the Hawks in 2013.

His quote about playing time provides a great insight into the thinking of a lot of players coming from college to the NBA. They are so used to playing and seeing things work out for them throughout high school and college that it is a bit of a jolt once they reach the NBA. That was where Scott's good work ethic appeared to pay off with the Hawks.

Larry Drew to interview with the Milwaukee Bucks

2013-05-18T02:03:30Z

The Atlanta Hawks haven't yet declared that they are moving on from the Larry Drew era but the writing is clearly on the wall. Its so clear now that Drew will start entertaining offers from other teams including the Milwaukee Bucks with whom he will meet this weekend to discuss their head coaching vacancy.

Danny Ferry is going through the process of interviewing others for the Hawks' head coaching position. Ferry hasn't yet ruled out Drew returning but Drew acknowledged on Friday to Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz that it appears to be a longshot.

"After talking with my adviser on this, he doesn't like the odds. I don't like the odds, either. That's why I've decided to move on with other organizations."

Besides the Bucks, Drew has reportedly drawn interest from one other unnamed NBA team. Previously he had been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers opening.

Drew and the Hawks exceded many of the media's expectations for the team this year but in the end that doesn't appear that it is going to be enough to save his job. He has amassed a 128-102 record in three seasons as the Hawks' head coach and led the team into the playoffs in all three seasons. However, Drew understands the situation and knows the transition phase that the franchise is going through under Ferry.

"Realistically, I wasn't Danny's hire from Day 1," he said. "I was Rick Sund's hire. Danny just kind of inherited me. I totally respect the position he took. He wants to do his due diligence and make sure I'm the right guy for the job. Really, this whole year, I was basically interviewing for the job. At end of day, if it happens to evolve back to me, I will be his hire."

Ferry hasn't set a timeframe for hiring a new coach. In the past it week it has been reported that he has met with Stan Van Gundy, Mike Budenholzer, Nate McMillan and CSKA Moscow head coach Ettore Messina.

Atlanta Hawks officially interview Mike Budenholzer, Stan Van Gundy

2013-05-17T12:03:57Z

Per a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Hawks have officially interviewed former Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy and also met with current San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer. This news comes on the heels of last night's Adrian Wojnarowski report that Ferry was strongly considering Euroleague legend Ettore Messina among his top candidates.

As expected, Ferry and the Hawks have been pretty tight lipped about their coaching shortlist. To date the names that have managed to leak out include Van Gundy, Nate McMillan, Budenholzer and now Messina whom Ferry scouted at the Euroleague Final Four.

Van Gundy is thought by most to be a long shot at best for the Hawks to land as he expected to wait another season before returning to the sidelines. Budenholzer is a candidate for other job openings and is also thought to be the eventual successor to Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.

At this point we aren't sure when Ferry might make a final decision but he seems to be moving quickly of late through a number of candidates.

Nate McMillan reportedly interviewed by the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday

2013-05-16T01:30:49Z

The Atlanta Hawks reportedly continued their coaching search on Wednesday interviewing former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

Y! Sources: The Atlanta Hawks interview Nate McMillan for coaching job. tinyurl.com/avcj4yz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 16, 2013

Hawks general manager Danny Ferry by all accounts is going through the process of finding a head coach while Larry Drew finishes out his contract. Drew's deal doesn't expire until June 30 and his return still hasn't been ruled out by the Hawks. In the meantime Ferry seems to be kicking the tires on several other candidates. Stan Van Gundy was the first reported name reported but its not clear whether he is in any hurry to return to the sidelines after sitting out last season.

McMillan is also a candidate for the openings in Milwaukee and Detroit. He last coached in Portland during the 2012 season.

NBA Free Agency 2013: Nikola Peckovic, Tyreke Evans among restricted free agents

2013-05-14T16:00:08Z

The 2013 NBA free agent class has been cast as an unexciting group but there are some good options available especially among the restricted free agents. The problem for teams like the Atlanta Hawks is that teams often have to overpay or get creative to deter current teams from matching offers made to their restricted free agents. Because of that often restricted free agents don't find the same type of interest as they do once they are on the open market. Still there are a few big names that will garner a lot of interest this summer.

Nikola Pekovic

Pekovic is a 7-foot, 300 pound monster that would make a ton of sense for a team like the Hawks that want to get bigger and would like to move Al Horford from center to power forward. Although he might not be the greatest rebounder for that size he still finished with averages of 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game this season. I expect him to garner a lot of interest and maybe even a max offer but don't see how Minnesota can afford to let him get away.

Tiago Splitter

Splitter is a player that unlike Pekovic could possibly be had depending on how high the bidding goes. He makes $3.9 million this season but without a lot of big man options this summer he stands to make much more than that next season. He is rumored to be on both the Hawks and the Mavericks shortlists.

Brandon Jennings

Wants a max deal and thinks of himself as a big market star. With limited options this summer he may very well chance it and take the qualifying offer to garner unrestricted free agency next season.

Jeff Teague

I was going to separate Teague into another post with the other Hawks players that are free agents but he will be one of the top unrestricted options this summer. Barring Chris Paul showing some interest in Atlanta, it looks like the Hawks need to bring back Teague but the price tag will likely determine whether that happens. Some of Teague's peers signed extensions before the season with Ty Lawson checking in at $12 million per and Jrue Holiday at just over $10 million. Teague figures to be just under that but should a team strike out on Jennings they could put the Hawks in a precarious spot by offering Teague a large deal.

Sekou Smith thinks that taking the qualifying offer is an option for Teague but I don't really understand why he would go that route since he isn't likely to garner bigger offers next season.

Tyreke Evans

Evans burst onto the scene as a rookie while playing point guard and putting up 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per night. He battled injuries over the next two seasons and was moved off the point and into more of a wing player where he hasn't been as effective. With things in flux in Sacramento, Evans is one of those players that could move if given a big offer. Again the Hawks and the Mavericks are two of the teams with the cap space to make such a play for Evans.

Vivlamore: 'Stan Van Gundy reports are overstated'

2013-05-12T12:22:02Z

The Atlanta Hawks still have made no decision on their head coaching position, and Hawks beat writer Chris Vivlamore says that Yahoo Sports' report that Danny Ferry is "aggressively" pursuing Stan Van Gundy was "overstated." Now Vivlamore's report never actually explains to us how it is overstated but does provide a statement from Ferry regarding Larry Drew:

"I have great appreciation and respect for Larry and how he led our team this season," Ferry told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "At the same time, it is my responsibility and in the best interests of the Hawks organization to consider all of our options, and talk with other potential head coaches before making a decision about who will lead our basketball team. Larry and I have had open communication about this approach. If Larry and I continue to work together, we ultimately will be a stronger organization because of our discussions and this thorough process."

Now I could launch into a 1,000-word tirade about how this season's coverage of the Atlanta Hawks by the city's largest newspaper was severely lacking compared to the season prior, but I will refrain. Vivlamore confirms that Van Gundy is one of the names that Ferry plans to meet with about the head coaching position and also confirms that Ferry has already spoken to Van Gundy over the phone. All of that was in Adrian Wojnarowski's report.

So are the Hawks pursuing Van Gundy aggressively? Only Danny Ferry knows, but since he has taken over, what has he done that wasn't aggressive? Besides every wish list has to have a name at the top, and in this case it seems that could be Van Gundy. That list no doubt includes other names with the likes of Mike Budenholzer, Quin Snyder and others. Larry Drew is probably also on that list, but the point is expect Ferry to be thorough and expect him to be aggressive.