Danny Ferry Wastes No Time in Hawks' Free Agency

Hawks GM & President of Basketball Operations Danny Ferry

Its been a busy first week on the job for new Atlanta Hawks GM Danny Ferry. First he drafts SG John Jenkins from Vanderbilt and PF Mike Scott from Virginia. Earlier this week he traded allstar guard Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets for the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams, DeShawn Stevenson, and a future first round pick. Atlanta also traded Marvin Williams to the Utah Jazz for PG Devin Harris.

The Hawks are in rumors to get superstar center Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic. They are one of various teams trying to go after him, including the Lakers, Rockets, and Nets. Brooklyn owes Joe Johnson $90 million over the next five seasons and they just resigned PG Deron Williams on a five year, $100 million contract so I don't know how they would have room to bring in Howard. They are coming up with a trade that would include four 1st round picks from Brooklyn and MarShon Brooks but I don't think this trade is likely to happen.

Dwight Howard

Some good news for Atlanta is that Josh Smith is impressed with the way Danny Ferry is making aggresive moves. I think Smith sees the fact that Ferry is trying to bring the right pieces to Atlanta and those moves will convince him to stay. If Dwight Howard does come to Atlanta, he would reunite with his best friends Josh Smith and Anthony Morrow. Howard has known Smith since pre school and from AAU basketball.

The problem with getting Dwight Howard is that the Hawks would have to convince him to sign an extension with the team. I don't think there's any point in getting rid of good players like Al Horford or Jeff Teague to just rent Howard for a year and then he leaves in free agency in 2013. I think Danny Ferry is the type of person who can bring in the right players and can convcince Howard that he can win in Atlanta. The city would be buzzing with hometown players Josh Smith and Dwight Howard on the same team together.

Chris Paul

The Hawks have the money to acquire Clippers PG Chris Paul. Some sources say that Paul is committed to the Clippers. It would be difficult convincing CP3 to come to Atlanta after the Hawks passed up on him in the 2005 NBA Draft and drafted Marvin Williams instead. (We all still think about that nightmare) I honestly believe that the Hawks will try to pursue Howard instead of Paul though. Atlanta has always been looking for that true center. When we drafted Al Horford, we had to put him at center because of that issue. Al Horford is actually a PF. I think we would have to trade Horford in order to acquire Howard.

It's been a wild free agency so far and we will see if Danny Ferry makes any more big moves for the Hawks. Hopefully Atlanta wins the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. Keep on looking out for more of my Hawks blogs about their free agency and I hope you enjoy them. So until then, GO HAWKS!!!-Yuriy A.