February 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks plan to sign a center and it almost certainly will be a guy on a 10-day contract rather than a permanent addition. They've discussed Kyrylo Fesenko, Erick Dampier and Dan Gadzuric but, as far as I know, they haven't inquired with those guys yet to gauge their interest in a short-term gig in Atlanta. I've always thought Fesenko, the massive 7-foot Ukranian, is probably the best item in the Big Man Bargain Bin (excluding Joel Przybilla, who has eyes for the Heat or Bulls). But you figured something was up when the Warriors reportedly had an agreement with Fesenko in December but balked at signing him and then passed on him again after Kwame Brown went down last month. Word is the"
February 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Hawks met Thursday with a representative for center Kenyon Martin, according to a person with knowledge of the team's thinking. Martin, 34, averaged 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 48 games for the Nuggets last season. The 11-year veteran signed a one-year deal to play in China with Xinjiang during the NBA lockout last summer. He is eligible to return to the NBA following the Chinese season in several weeks. Martin has reportedly been offered a contract by the Heat. ESPN recently reported that he is also interested in signing with the Clippers, Spurs and Knicks, along with the Hawks and Heat."
December 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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General manager Rick Sund said the Hawks are unlikely to pay the luxury tax, a stance that essentially ends the team's chances of re-signing free agent Jamal Crawford. "It's going to be difficult to sign Jamal in a straight signing transaction," Sund said Sunday. "We are looking at other alternatives, of course. You always look at everything but it's not nearly as easy as if you had four months. Four days instead of four months makes it more it more difficult." Sund was referring to the shortened free-agent period that follows the end of the lockout last week. Atlanta opens the regular season on Dec. 27."
December 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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An Atlanta woman has won a rental dispute with Atlanta Hawks' guard Jamal Crawford. A Fulton County State Court judge ruled last month that Sandra Weber did not owe Crawford more than $30,000 when he moved from the home she rented him, according to court records. Crawford sued his former landlord in January, saying she failed to return to him most of the $20,000 deposit he paid for the Buckhead home he rented from her, or the month's rent he said he overpaid "by mistake," according to the lawsuit."
December 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Veteran free agent forward Tracy McGrady plans to sign a one-year contract with the Hawks, according to a person with knowledge of McGrady's intentions. The person did not want to be identified because NBA teams are not allowed to agree to terms until Friday, after the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified by players and owners. However, the person said McGrady told the Hawks he would sign a contract for the veteran's minimum once the rules allow it. McGrady, 32, was the No. 9 overall pick by Toronto in the 1997 draft. He was an All-Star for Orlando and Houston from 2000-01 to 2006-07, but a series of injuries contributed to his steady decline."
December 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks general manager Rick Sund said guard Kirk Hinrich had surgery to to remove a cyst and repair the labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to miss at least the first month of the regular season. Hinrich experienced discomfort in his shoulder as a result of offseason workouts and had the procedure in early November. "The injury typically requires three to four months of recovery," Sund said Based on that timeline, Hinrich could be out through the end of February. The 66-game NBA regular season schedule is to begin Dec. 25 if there are no snags in the ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement."
November 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Los Angeles businessman Alex Meruelo's deal to buy the Hawks is off. The agreement between Meruelo and Atlanta Spirit Group, signed in August and contingent on NBA approval, was mutually terminated Friday after Meruelo would not meet economic conditions placed on the deal by the league. The termination of the agreement means Atlanta Spirit — a group led by Bruce Levenson, Ed Peskowitz and Michael Gearon Jr. — will remain the Hawks' owner. In fact, the group says it now plans to take the for-sale sign off the franchise and continue to own it indefinitely. "The Atlanta Hawks are no longer for sale," Levenson said in a statement. "We're excited to remain as owners of the Hawks and are"
October 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The proposed sale of the Hawks to Los Angeles businessman Alex Meruelo has hit a significant snag in the NBA approval process, according to people familiar with the situation. It is not clear at this point whether the deal will be completed. Although Meruelo signed what he called a "definitive" agreement in early August to buy a majority stake in the Hawks from current owner Atlanta Spirit Group, the deal was contingent on the approval of the NBA Board of Governors. That has not been obtained as the league, as part of an extensive approval process, seeks financial assurances that Meruelo can fund the team's ongoing operations."
August 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Los Angeles businessman Alex Meruelo has reached an agreement to buy a majority ownership stake in the Atlanta Hawks, he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an exclusive weekend interview. The Hawks, who will remain in Atlanta, are planning an announcement of the sale for Monday. Meruelo said he and the Hawks' current owner, the Atlanta Spirit Group, have a signed agreement, which also includes the operating rights to Philips Arena. The deal is subject to the approval of the NBA Board of Governors –- a complicated process that could take months. Meruelo, 48, is the founder and chairman of The Meruelo Group, a holding company that owns businesses ranging from pizza restaurants and"
August 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A person familiar with the deal says controlling interest in the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena will be sold to California developer and pizza chain owner Alex Meruelo. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because no official announcement has been made. The deal, subject to the approval of the NBA, is to be announced on Monday. The Hawks ownership group, led by Michael Gearon Jr. and Bruce Levenson, also recently sold the NHL Atlanta Thrashers to a group that has moved the team to Winnipeg. The Thrashers deal, for a reported $170 million, was announced on May 31."
August 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The AJC's Tim Tucker reports that L.A. businessman Alex Meruelo is set to buy a controlling stake in the Hawks and the operating rights for Philips Arena. The deal is subject to approval by the NBA Board of Governors. Meruelo is not allowed to comment on his specific plans for the Hawks or the team's personnel because he's not yet been approved as owner and also because of the lockout. But Meruelo did tell Tucker that although some members of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group would remain as minority partners, "I will be in complete control of the team.""
July 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Efforts by the Atlanta Spirit ownership group to sell a majority stake in the Hawks have accelerated since the group's sale of the Thrashers last month. People familiar with the process say representatives of a potential buyer are doing due diligence — examining financial records — as the process moves toward a possible offer and more detailed negotiations for the basketball team and Philips Arena operating rights. The people familiar with the situation, speaking exclusively with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, would not identify the potential bidder because of confidentiality agreements, but described the process as moving fast. They said no offer or exclusive negotiating agreement is"
July 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks coach Larry Drew wrapped up the team's minicamp Wednesday and headed to his home in the Los Angeles area to assume the same posture as most people associated with the NBA. "Wait and see," he said. The most recent collective bargaining agreement expires at midnight Thursday, and owners have authorized a lockout of players. All league business is on hold as the two sides try to agree on a new labor deal. Drew said he and his staff still would have work to do even as the usual player signings, trades and summer leagues are on hold. "We carry on as usual," Drew said. But there really won't be much to do until the league's owners and players agree on a new collective bargaining agreement."
June 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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A recurring theme for the Hawks last season was coach Larry Drew's efforts to coax his players to get tougher. Drew said they needed to play with a "physicality" and implored them to develop a "blue-collar mentality." At one point Drew said he feared the word was out around the NBA that the Hawks would back down when pushed. The Hawks showed some resolve in the postseason, but they never were the consistently rugged defensive team that Drew envisioned. Eventually Drew realized he may not get this group of players to play that way no matter how much he talked about it. "I talk about that a lot," Drew said Tuesday. "But the truth is you have got to have guys on the team where that is already"
June 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
(scroll down)
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Media voted Horford to the All-NBA third team at center. Jason Collins started 28 regular-season games at center and was key during Atlanta's first-round victory against Orlando. Hawks general manager Rick Sund said he hopes to re-sign Collins, who will be a free agent, but he's not sure if the Hawks would add a player expected to start full time."
June 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Hawks part-owner Bruce Levenson denied a report Thursday by Sports Illustrated that the basketball team is on the verge of being sold. "Not true," Levenson said in an email to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We will issue a statement shortly." That statement indicated a deal is not imminent but reiterated that the Hawks' owners are at least seeking new investors. "As we have stated for an extended period of time, we engaged an investment banker to assist us in looking for investors for the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena operating rights," the statement said. "We have spoken with a number of parties, but at this time, there is no deal in place, nor is there an exclusive negotiating"
June 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After a day of furious trade rumors that included Hawks forward Josh Smith, the NBA draft ended up being a pretty standard affair at the top. The Cavaliers, as expected, selected Duke guard Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick. The Timberwolves took Arizona forward Derrick Williams No. 2 after the Hawks were among several teams that reportedly tried to pry the pick away in a trade. Hawks general manager Rick Sund said Atlanta explored potential trades to move into the first round but "there was nothing that really made sense." The Hawks instead used their second-round pick, No. 48 overall, toOakland (Mich.) University center Keith Benson. Irving and Williams were considered the only potential"
June 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Josh Smith is aware of the trade speculation swirling around him. He knows much of that speculation is fueled by the belief that he desperately wants out of Atlanta. But Smith said today he's not eager to be traded, though he's bracing for the possibility. "I'm not saying I want [a trade] to happen but if it does I will just have to deal with it," he said. Smith said the Hawks haven't told him anything about a trade. But he noted that players aren't usually privy to the team's internal deliberations until a deal is going down. "Right now I'm with the Hawks," he said. "I think we have a special group. I just want to win." There's no doubt Smith is frustrated about the flak he took from"
June 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
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The volume on the Josh Smith trade rumors has been cranked up to 11 - "Spinal Tap" joke - and somebody needs to dial it down. I nominate … myself. It has been reported that the Hawks are gauging interest in Smith ahead of tonight's NBA draft, which only makes sense. It has also been reported that Smith wants out of Atlanta, which I'm not sure is the case, and has even submitted a list of teams he wouldn't mind joining. (The list, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, includes Boston, Houston, Orlando and New Jersey.) Smoove-related speculation has been running the highest in Orlando, where Smith's best friend (meaning Dwight Howard) plays, and Boston. Ken Berger of CBS Sports"
June 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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There was a time when the Hawks were all about the promise of youth. Eventually, draft picks such as Josh Smith and Al Horford started to reach their potential, and the Hawks added more veterans. The Hawks won more games, began to pick later and later in the draft and management and coaches turned their focus away from acquiring prospects and developing them. The Hawks still are winning, but now say they are ready to make room for youngsters again. The Hawks don't have a first-round pick in the draft Thursday, so it's doubtful they will select a player to fill a major role next season. But the prospect they select with the No. 48 pick is expected to get a spot on the roster and a chance to"
June 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The sale and move of the Thrashers, approved Tuesday by the NHL board of governors, leaves Atlanta with three major-league sports franchises. And while none of the three are in danger of relocation, two have ownership situations that could be conservatively described as, well, fluid. Here's a look inside the owner's box of the Hawks, Braves and Falcons: The Hawks The seven-man Atlanta Spirit ownership group hasn't put a public, unambiguous "for sale" sign on the Hawks, as it did on the Thrashers in mid-February. But through its investment banker, the Spirit has had talks with prospective Hawks purchasers over the past year. Although part-owner Michael Gearon Jr. has said he wants to retain"
June 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Dwight Howard has said he'll opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Otis Smith, Orlando's general manager, has said he won't trade Howard and believes the NBA's best center can be persuaded to re-up with the Magic. Other NBA clubs won't sit around and wait. They'll make offers for Howard. Should the Hawks make an offer? They could make a tantalizing one: Al Horford and Kirk Hinrich for Howard and power forward Ryan Anderson. That's an All-NBA center (third team) with a Florida background who's under contract through 2016 for a reasonable $12 million per season and a useful guard whose contract expires in 2012. The Magic could make something of that. Or"
June 21
Yahoo! Sports
columnist Adrian Wojnarowski
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The Atlanta Hawks have started to gauge trade interest on forward Josh Smith, and Smith isn't averse to ending his seven-year stay with his hometown team, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday. Smith hasn't requested a trade, but has privately told league friends that the Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic are his preferred destinations should the Hawks decide to move him. "The relationship has run its course," said a league source with knowledge of the dynamic. There's been growing acrimony between Smith and the organization, sources said, largely because of the feeling that Smith has been too convenient of a scapegoat. Smith had one of his most"
June 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With no first-round pick in a draft that's considered short on depth, the Hawks face long odds of finding the next Gilbert Arenas or Carlos Boozer in this week's NBA draft. Those two players became All-Stars after they were drafted in the second round but they are the outliers in the history of the draft. It's uncommon for teams to find players in the second round who become even established starters, much less stars. There is a chance, however, that the Hawks can find a player who eventually becomes a rotation player and a relatively cheap one too. The Hawks are preparing for Thursday's draft with the idea that they can beat the percentages and select a player who can contribute with the"