Hawks have no intention moving Al to PF

[AHawks89]

An NBA source confirmed a FanHouse.com report Monday evening that the Atlanta Hawks have an interest in signing free agent center Shaquille O'Neal, and sources have told NBA.com's Sekou Smith that the team has discussed a two-year deal worth $11.7 million for O'Neal. However, the source cautioned that the Hawks' interest in the 38-year-old O'Neal is "preliminary" and that the team, no matter what big man it brings in, has no intention of moving All-Star center Al Horford to power forward in any scenario.

The source said the Hawks' interest in O'Neal is not significantly greater than the team's interest in other free agent centers like Zydrunas Ilgauskas or Brad Miller, and that the team has just begun examining whether it needs another big man to play with Horford and backup Zaza Pachulia, who Atlanta likes a great deal as a reserve. However, the possibility exists that Hawks ownership may view O'Neal as an attractive component next season and could be driving the team's pursuit of the 15-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP.

And given that ownership just stepped up to the plate and okayed Joe Johnson's six-year, $119 million contract, it may have some additional leeway.

O'Neal indicated during the playoffs that he thought he could play one or two more seasons as a starter. His one-season stint with the Cavaliers had some solid moments, and O'Neal did not play badly in the playoffs, averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds for Cleveland on 66 percent shooting from the floor. But he could not stop the Cavs' collapse in the second round against the Celtics and whether he returns to Cleveland next season is a major question. Sources indicate the Cavaliers are very interested in Dallas free agent center Brendan Haywood. O'Neal could also have other options of his own as well.

The Hawks also do not want to mess too much with a team that won 53 games in the regular season, even though Atlanta was taken apart by Orlando in the second round. There have been murmurs that the Hawks are shopping forward Josh Smith, who had one of his best seasons last year. However, a source with knowledge of the Hawks' thinking said that the team would only contemplate moving Smith for a major, star player at power forward.

Now that Johnson is back in the fold, Atlanta's major change for next season will be getting more playing time for second-year point guard Jeff Teague, who will likely take up many of the minutes from veteran Mike Bibby.

http://www.nba.com/news/features/aldridge.2010.freeagency/index.html

Hmmm?

Edited July 6, 2010 by AHawks89

[HawkNJersey]

No reason they should either...Ben Wallace was smaller than Al and the Pistons were successful with him.

[AHawks89]

I agree. I think all we need is Shaq to help out with Horford. Most of the posters on this site would love to see Horford move to PF, but it don't seem like it's going to happen, unless we get a star player.

[clicklandshopping]

Man, the ASG are making more sense everyday. Guys...... Al is our center and Josh is our power forward for many years to come. We need to concentrate on SF and let Marvin sit the be bench or get traded. If we get Chillz back, I say start him, showcase his talents and trade him if Marvin steps up off the bench..............GO HAWKS!!!

[DrReality]

He would be a good addition to give us some toughness inside and a good teacher with Al.

[AHawks89]

Maybe, just maybe, Shaq can bring out JJ's true personality and fix the locker room issues.

[HawksFan87]

shaq would DEMAND respect from every single player on this team, even at 38 years old, he's better than most big men out there. He's probably our best bet. And we could keep this team intact the way it is..

[TheNorthCydeRises]

Al would START at Center . . . but there's no way to justify strictly playing him at center, if you have a guy as big as Shaq to team with him. You'd have to play Al alongside Shaq, just to see what kind of dimension that could give us as a team. I have no problem with Horford starting the game . . even finishing the game. But if we get Shaq, he better get some minutes at PF alongside Shaq.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

At the very least, the PF & C minute rotation better look like this:

PF: Smith ( 34 ) - Horford ( 14 )

C: Horford ( 20 ) - Shaq ( 20 ) - Zaza ( 8 )

There's no reason in the world why Horford's minutes couldn't be split up like that. You can even reduce Horford's or Shaq's minutes at center by about 2 - 4 minutes, and give them to Zaza if you want. Horford can start the 1st and 3rd quarters at center . . . and finish the 2nd quarter and the game at center in the 4th quarter

Edited July 6, 2010 by northcyde

[Unforgiven]

i wanted shaq here when he became a FA hes not that far removed from a 17 and 9 season so he can definitely contribute a lot. but either Al or Smoove have to go. i prefer al and jamal in a deal for CP3 because cp3 would make josh a possible superstar. but i wouldnt mind josh + for CP3

[Plainview1981]

Man, the ASG are making more sense everyday. Guys...... Al is our center and Josh is our power forward for many years to come. We need to concentrate on SF and let Marvin sit the be bench or get traded. If we get Chillz back, I say start him, showcase his talents and trade him if Marvin steps up off the bench..............GO HAWKS!!!

They'll continue to no contend for a title with that undersized frontline. PERIOD.

This team is not getting to the finals with Josh Smith at Power Forward and Al at center. It's not happening. Not even if they trade for Chris Paul.

[ATLBob]

There have been murmurs that the Hawks are shopping forward Josh Smith, who had one of his best seasons last year. However, a source with knowledge of the Hawks' thinking said that the team would only contemplate moving Smith for a major, star player at power forward.

This makes next to no sense.

Why move one PF for another PF?

And major star player? At PF?

Just doesn't smell right.

[Johnnybravo4]

I think that if we did pick up Shaq, We could use Zaza as sweetner for a potential trade...though It would be very scary to move Zaza when Shaq is so fragile healthwise.