"After a days-long search for a trading partner in a desperate effort to improve at point guard, the Hawks finally managed to swing a deal.

The Hawks agreed to a trade with the Wizards for veteran Kirk Hinrich and athletic big man Hilton Armstrong, the team announced Wednesday night. As part of the deal, the Hawks sent Mike Bibby, rookie Jordan Crawford, swingman Mo Evans and their 2011 first-round draft pick to the Wizards.

Bibby, Crawford and Evans were informed of the trade before the team's game against Phoenix on Wednesday night. Jeff Teague replaced Bibby in the starting lineup.

Hawks coach Larry Drew declined to comment on the trade before the game because it hadn't yet been approved by the NBA.

The Hawks made the trade after coming up empty in their attempts to trade for point guards Devin Harris and Raymond Felton. Hinrich is expected to take over for Bibby as the team's starter.

The Bulls selected Hinrich, 30, with the seventh overall pick out of Kansas in the 2003 draft. The Hawks expect him to shore up their weak perimeter defense, which has put stress on the overall defense as players scramble to help against dribble penetration.

The Hawks also hope Hinrich (6-foot-4, 190 pounds), who has earned a reputation as a hard-nosed player, will provide toughness and leadership. He and Hawks forward Marvin Williams went at it during a game in Chicago last season, with both earning technical fouls.

"I've always been a super fan of Kirk," Williams said. "Watching him at Kansas, he just competes, man. In college, coach [Roy] Williams would always make reference to Kirk Hinrich and say he has that toughness and that attitude."

Armstrong (6-11, 235) is limited on offense and doesn't rebound well for his size. But he's an athletic leaper who could find a role helping the Hawks protect the rim."