Choice ahead on Harrington By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 02/21/06 Auburn Hills, Mich. — Hawks co-captain Al Harrington's immediate future won't be clear until after 5 p.m. Thursday. That's the day and time of the NBA's trade deadline, independence day for players on the move as well as those not going anywhere. The freedom comes from an end to the nonstop speculation about what might happen, particularly for those players who aren't going anywhere. And as of this morning, Harrington isn't going anywhere. "I'm not even sweating that stuff," Harrington said after the Hawks wrapped up practice at Oakland University on Monday night in preparation for tonight's game against Detroit. "There's no need for that. I know who I am as a player and that I have a job to do for the next 32 games, whether that's in an Atlanta Hawks uniform or some other uniform. "I'm a pro, first and foremost, so everything else has its place." Harrington, whose name has been prominent in trade rumors since draft night, will be one of the most coveted free agents at season's end. Playing in a contract year, Harrington has been putting up career bests in points (18.3) and rebounds (6.9) while helping the 16-34 Hawks blow past their win total for all of last season (13). And despite what the NBA rumor mill says, his right knee is the picture of health. Still, there is a dilemma for the Hawks, who figure to be a major player on the free-agent market this summer. They have to decide if and how Harrington fits into their future plans — they have a surplus of small forwards with Josh Smith, Josh Childress and Marvin Williams all eager for minutes. They also have to decide what price they are willing to pay for a player with a tag expected to exceed $45 million-$50 million over five years. Harrington's current deal pays him $6.8 million this season. "Sometimes the best things in life [are] right in your face and hopefully Atlanta has the foresight to recognize that," said Harrington's agent, Andy Miller. "The Hawks have what 29 other teams are looking for and they've had the luxury of watching him play with them and getting to know him for almost two years now. "I don't think Al has a peer in this free-agent class when you consider that here is a guy that gives you 20 [points] and eight [rebounds] every night, is just 26 years old and 6-foot-9. There are few players in the league who possess that particular combination of production and skills." Hawks coach Mike Woodson realizes it's a matter that might not be resolved until after this season, depending on what happens between now and Thursday. "That's something that Al, our ownership and [Hawks general manager] Billy [Knight] will work through," Woodson said. "Right now there is nothing on the table as far as a trade. And even if there was, Al is an Atlanta Hawk right now. And we like what he's about. "Al will be one of the top free agents, there's no doubt about that. So we do have to weigh that when you start evaluating the young guys and where Al fits into the picture. The bottom line is that Al is a quality piece to what we're trying to do here, and I don't think you can throw that out the window." Yet, finding a way to keep Harrington and develop Smith, Williams and Childress at the same time will always be a hurdle. The fight for quality minutes will only get more intense as the youngsters continue to mature. The Hawks are still in need of major help inside — two more big men would take the pressure off of Zaza Pachulia and the rest of the undersized frontcourt rotation — and could also use a veteran point guard. Harrington, with his expiring contract and potential impact on a veteran-laden playoff team, would appear to be the ideal bargaining chip to make something happen. "I've always tried to let my performance and my professionalism, both on and off the floor, speak for me," said Harrington, who's helped the Hawks win five of their past eight games. "I know a lot has been said and a lot will continue to be said about me and my situation. But that stuff is irrelevant to me. My focus is on finishing these last 32 games like we've played the last eight. "Everything else will work itself out the way it was intended to work out." 資料來源 http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/0221hawks.html -- 經紀人講話很有意思..是說咱們老鷹隊有眼不識泰山？ --

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