[外電] Hawks finally get the point
Hawks finally get the point
Claxton in, Harrington apparently out
By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/04/06
Al Harrington's tenure with the Atlanta Hawks is apparently over,
and Speedy Claxton's is set to begin.
While Harrington and the Hawks are in the midst of parting ways
— a sign-and-trade deal could be consummated any day — Claxton
joins the fold to end the Hawks' nearly two-season search for a
point guard.
Claxton verbally agreed on Monday afternoon to sign with the Hawks,
his agent, Bill Duffy, said. The contract, a reported four-year deal
worth an estimated $25 million, can't be signed until July 12, the
first day offseason transactions can be made official.
Hawks general manager Billy Knight could not be reached to comment
on Harrington, and per league rules cannot comment on Claxton until
July 12.
"I think it's a good fit," Duffy said. "Speedy likes the fact you
have a bunch of young legs and they need leadership. This is a team
that's definitely on the rise."
The Hawks offered Clippers free agent point guard Sam Cassell a
two-year deal worth a reported $7.5 million per season, an offer the
Clippers matched to keep him.
Atlanta turned its attention to Claxton and locked up the 28-year-old,
five-year veteran with a deal that will pay him about $6.2 million per
season.
Claxton's addition solves a glaring deficiency for the Hawks, who used
inexperienced players (Royal Ivey) or others, namely leading scorer
Joe Johnson, out of position to get by at point guard.
Claxton averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds this past
season in New Orleans playing behind and often alongside NBA Rookie of
the Year Chris Paul. Claxton will be the starter for the Hawks, allowing
Johnson to slide over to shooting guard on a full-time basis.
With Claxton and veteran backup Tyronn Lue, the Hawks have floor leaders
with championship experience. Claxton played on San Antonio's 2003 NBA
championship team, and Lue won two titles with the Lakers at the start
of the decade. Ivey will enter training camp as the third point guard
on the roster.
It's a roster that will be without Harrington for the first time in
two years. The Hawks' second-leading scorer and rebounder this past
season, Harrington served as a team captain in each of his two seasons
with the franchise.
But Harrington said the Hawks have made it clear to him that they're
going in a different direction, particularly with younger players a
lready on the roster. Josh Smith's emergence after the February All-Star
break may have had more than anything to do with the Hawks' decision
to move on without Harrington.
"As of right now it's pretty clear to me that I won't be back in a Hawks
uniform next year," Harrington said by phone Monday afternoon from his
offseason home in Los Angeles. "It's pretty much a wrap for me there."
The Hawks have been in discussions with several teams, most prominently
Indiana and Golden State, about a potential sign-and-trade deal
involving Harrington, an eight-year veteran who is only 26 and one of
the top 30 scorers (18.6 points per game) in the league.
"I have a genuine interest in both of those teams," he said. "My only
focus is getting back to the playoffs and eventually competing for a
championship. I thought we were getting better and heading in that
direction [in Atlanta], but sometimes it's time to move on."
The Hawks could continue upgrading their roster with more big men and
possibly another young point guard by consummating a deal with either
the Pacers or Warriors.
資料來源：
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/0704hawksdeal.html
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