Who fits Hawks' dream team? By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 04/07/06 Hawks co-captain Joe Johnson doesn't care if anyone agrees with him because he's already made up his mind. "If we add a few key pieces to this team, just a couple of big men and another point guard, I truly believe we're a playoff team this time next year," Johnson said earlier this week. "I don't think there's any question that with what we already have, if you add the right guys to the mix, we're challenging for one of the top eight spots." Saying it doesn't make it so, no matter how deep Johnson's belief in the Hawks' future might be. For the sake of our own imagination, let's say Johnson is right. The Hawks add several players and finally return to the postseason hunt after a seven-year absence. But what players fit? And what about the current nucleus, headlined by the versatile Johnson, whose all-around game should make it easy to build around? Here's our plan to help Johnson's playoff dreams come true: THE GAME PLAN ‧ Biggest needs: Starting point guard, veteran frontcourt players to add depth and another backup wing player. ‧ Who's in (players signed through next season and beyond): Johnson, Zaza Pachulia, Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, Salim Stoudamire, Tyronn Lue, Esteban Batista, John Edwards ‧ Who's out (players whose contracts will be up at season's end): Al Harrington, Royal Ivey, Donta Smith, Anthony Grundy THE DRAFT PLAN The Hawks will be assured of one of the top picks in a draft widely regarded as light on franchise-player talent. So the best option might be to trade down, where the ability to identify a particular need trumps the take-the-best-talent-available mantra of the top five to seven picks. Snagging a quality big man in the first round might be easier than finding a top-flight point guard, unless Florida's Joakim Noah, Al Horford and several other high-profile underclassmen declare. Since the list of players who will be available is still unknown — underclassmen have until the end of the month to declare their intentions and can pull out a month before draft night — we'll have to go with what we already know. DRAFT OPTIONS ‧ UConn point guard Marcus Williams could very well be the best talent available at his position. The sophomore reminds many of a left-handed version of Deron Williams, who was taken third overall last summer by Utah. He's a deft playmaker who can score when needed (he averaged 20 points and eight assists in the NCAA tournament). The only drawback: character issues. ‧ Italian forward Andrea Bargnani is a 7-footer who lacks the defensive prowess the Hawks need but he's an undeniable offensive talent that won't go ignored high in the lottery. Whether he fits into what the Hawks need to make a marked improvement from this season to the next is hard to gauge with such a limited view of his pre-NBA exploits. ‧ UConn shot blocker Hilton Armstrong should be available late in the lottery and perhaps even in the mid- to late first round. He's 6 feet 11, 250 pounds and the rugged big body the Hawks covet. He's also limited offensively, which won't hurt him on a Hawks team that has plenty of proven firepower. ‧ The Hawks' second-round pick could be just as valuable as it was last year, when they stole Salim Stoudamire at the top of the round. If a player like Michigan State's Paul Davis, Nevada's Nick Fazekas or UCLA project Ryan Hollins is floating around after the first round, they'd be no-brainer picks. FREE AGENCY OPTIONS For all the fuss about what the Hawks gave up for Johnson (Boris Diaw, a $5-plus million trade exception and two lottery-protected first-round picks), no one mentions the other move that was made. Atlanta got the steal of the summer in Pachulia, who has exceeded expectations the organization had for him when they took a chance on the untested third-year center. So maybe the Hawks will chase big names again but snag another hidden gem while no one's paying attention. Consider this: ‧ Denver big man Nene, a restricted free agent who'll be coming off an injury that sidelined him all season, is the obvious target. But underrated Nuggets 7-footer Francisco Elson could be a steal. He can play forward and center, be a starter or come off the bench and having played four seasons at the highest level in Spain prior to his three-year stint with Nuggets, he's far more proven than Nene, who has played in just 55 games the past two seasons. ‧ L.A. Clippers veteran Sam Cassell still has plenty of tread left and there are few players in the league more willing and able to take clutch shots than the two-time NBA champ. Cassell's age and his desire to play on a playoff team at this stage of his career could add a different wrinkle to the situation were the Hawks to fall short of their postseason goal. On the flip side, Cassell isn't interested in a long-term deal and he and Johnson in the backcourt together would be an unstoppable combination. ‧ Toronto's Mike James would be an ideal fit and has played under Hawks coach Mike Woodson, when they were both in Detroit during the Pistons' title-winning season in 2004. James is the sort of vocal floor general the Hawks could use, and combined in a backcourt with Johnson he'd give the Hawks one of the most explosive guard tandems in the league. But his price tag will be high. And he's not as young as some might like. TRADE OPTIONS This is where there the possibilities seem endless. After all, who at this time a year ago envisioned the Hawks engineering a trade for Johnson? But with Harrington one of the most coveted free agents on the market this summer, it'd be foolish not to get something for the polished veteran. And since there are few teams that will be able to afford Harrington's price tag without a sign-and-trade, the Hawks are in an excellent position to pick and choose what they want. What if they: ‧ Deal Harrington to Seattle for point guard Luke Ridnour and veteran enforcer Danny Fortson. Ridnour is the young, pass-first point guard the Hawks so desperately need while Fortson would add the muscle inside that has been largely absent this season. If the Sonics figure out they can't afford restricted free agent Chris Wilcox, he could become an option in this deal instead of Fortson. ‧ Deal Harrington to Portland for a combination of players that includes Darius Miles and at least one of the Blazers' three point guards — Steve Blake, Sebastian Telfair or Jarrett Jack. Teams carry three point guards but never three at basically the same stage of their careers. Jack, the former Georgia Tech star, has obvious local appeal while Telfair might be the best fit with the Hawks current talent. ‧ Deal Harrington to Chicago for Chris Duhon and Othella Harrington. This is clearly the scenario with the least amount of star appeal. But it address two very critical needs — point guard and a veteran big man to add to the playing rotation. And while Duhon lacks the buzz of some of the other young point guards in the league, he's proved all his doubters wrong after they passed on him in the first round of the 2004 draft. 资料来源 http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/0409nbanotes.html --

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