Randolph Morris May Soon Be Unemployed

Mr News Breaker

Atlanta Hawks: Roster Report

A version of this will appear in print but I had to cut down for space. I can’t be held back here. Based on reporting, educated guesses, observation and a big analytical assist from the Synergy Sports Machine.

Joe Johnson, 6-7, G
Contract: Unrestricted free agent

Look back: Media voted Johnson to the All-NBA third team, his first such honor. He also made the All-Star game for the fourth consecutive season. Johnson’s size, knack for creating his own shot, shooting ability, ball handling skills and ability to defend guards and forwards makes him one of the more versatile players in the league. His fine season was marred by a poor performance in the playoffs and his flip response to fans who booed him.

Look ahead: Hawks GM Rick Sund said he wants to re-sign Johnson, one of the top shooting guards in the league, but there are risks to giving him a an expensive, long-term deal. Johnson will be 29 this summer and production for shooting guards tends to decline around that age. His deliberate, one-on-one style was effective when he made baskets but tended to damage team dynamics at times. Johnson said he hasn’t ruled out a return to the Hawks but will test the market. If he signs elsewhere, the Hawks won’t have the flexibility to sign another high-priced free agent.

Al Horford, 6-10, C
Contract: $5.4 million in 2010-11, eligible for restricted free agency following the season

Look back: Named to the All-Star team in just his third pro season, Horford developed a reliable mid-range jump shot to go along with a pretty good post game. He’s one of the top post defenders in the league despite being undersized for his position. Emerged as a leader late in the season, publicly calling out teammates for poor effort in the Orlando series.

Look ahead: Horford said he plans to continue to develop his jump shot and also a counter-move in the post. Horford has one more season left on his rookie-scale contract and the Hawks can secure the right to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent. Since he’s one of the best bargains in the league, he wouldn’t seem to be a trade candidate.

Josh Smith, 6-9, F
Contract: $11.6 million in 2010-11, with two years and $25.6 million after that

Look back: In many ways it was a breakout season for Smith, who was the runner up to Dwight Howard for Defensive Player of the Year and second-team All Defense. Smith was often the energy guy, starting runs by blocking shots, getting steals, and running the floor. He became a very good passer for a power forward and was particularly effective with setting up teammates for open jump shots. But he had a high turnover rate for his position, continued to shoot long jump shots despite a very poor percentage and was lax on running out to shooters. Smith also sometimes lost focus when he got frustrated.

Look ahead: Smith made the decision to stop shooting 3-pointers after watching video of his games last summer. He said he will go to the video again this summer so perhaps he will figure out those long jump shots are not an effective option and also see how his sulking affects his effort. Still, Smith had a very good season overall. He probably would have good trade value due to his production, age, and relatively palatable contract.

Jamal Crawford, 6-5, G
Contract: $10.1 million in 2010-11

Look back: Sund’s trade for Crawford turned out to be one of the best deals in the league. Crawford was the Hawks’ second-leading scorer and provided punch off the bench while earning the Sixth Man of the Year award. He’s an excellent scorer, adept at getting his points in isolation, as a spot-up shooter, or coming off screens, and he was the best on the team at attacking on pick-and-rolls. He’s not a good defender overall, especially in isolation, but he was adequate on pick-and-rolls and closing out on shooters.

Look ahead: Crawford likely will draw a lot of trade interest due to his expiring contract and scoring prowess, but those are the same things that make him valuable to the Hawks.

Marvin Williams, 6-9, F
Contract: $6.7 million in 2010-11, with two years and $15.8 million and a $7.5 million player option in 2013-14 after that
Look back: The Hawks re-signed Williams last summer and he had a disappointing season. He was inconsistent offensively, especially in his primary role as a spot-up shooter. Defensively, opponents had success isolating Williams and bulling past him to the basket and also taking advantage of his weak closeouts. Williams had long stretches with little production.

Look ahead: Williams is an unselfish player, but he was too passive in a perimeter-oriented offense where he’s no better than the fourth scoring option. The Hawks hope getting Williams more involved in offensive sets can help him reach his considerable potential. He’ll be only 24-years old next season, so if he can make a major improvement he’ll be an asset to the Hawks either as a quality small forward or a trade chip.

Mike Bibby, 6-2, G
Contract: $5.6 million in 2010-11, $6.2 million in 2011-12

Look back: Bibby wasn’t really a traditional point guard for the Hawks, instead leaving most of the ball handing duties to Johnson. Bibby excelled both as a spot-up shooter and with catch-and-shoots off screens and is a floor leader. But he was a defensive liability, especially against pick-and-rolls, forcing the Hawks to switch on screens. Bibby’s defensive positioning and awareness remain high but his quickness has declined.

Look ahead: The Hawks appear ready to give Jeff Teague a chance to supplant Bibby as the starter. That would make Bibby an expensive backup, but his contract might make it difficult to trade him next season.

Zaza Pachulia, 6-11, C
Contract: $4.25 million in 2010-11, two years and $13 million after that

Look back: Pachulia was the primary backup center and, other than a mid-season lull, was mostly adequate in that role. His post defense was so-so but he was good at challenging opponents when they stepped out to shoot. Pachulia’s offensive production on pick-and-rolls was surprisingly high and he was good at drawing fouls.

Look ahead: Pachulia finished the season strong. Still, his relatively modest salary for an effective backup center and the Hawks’ potential desire for a starting-caliber center means he could be a trade candidate.

Mo Evans, 6-5, G/F
Contract: $2.5 million player option for 2010-11

Look back: The first wing player off the bench occasionally grumbled about playing time but eventually found a consistent role as the first wing off the bench. Touted for his defense, Evans was good in isolation but struggled to defend guards on pick-and-rolls and forwards on post-ups. He had good production when getting shots as a cutter but made just 30 percent of his spot-up jump shots.

Look ahead: Evans said he likes it with the Hawks but hasn’t decided if he will exercise his option.

Jeff Teague, 6-2, G
Contract: $1.47 million in 2010-11, with two additional team option years

Look back: The No. 19 overall draft pick never found consistent minutes in Mike Woodson’s rotation. Teague proved to be a very good defender in isolation due to his quickness but struggled at times with team defensive concepts. He was an excellent scorer in transition but the rest of his game is a work in progress.

Look ahead: Teague will play for the team’s summer league entry in Las Vegas with the hope he can be ready to be the starter in 2010-11.

Joe Smith, 6-10, F
Contract: Unrestricted free agent

Look back: Smith was brought in for his size and playoffs experience but he was an afterthought by the time the postseason arrived. He wasn’t consistent when he did get minutes.

Look ahead: Smith, who played in his 1000th game this season, said his body feels good and he’d like to play a couple more seasons. He said he would welcome a return to the Hawks.

Jason Collins, 7-0, C
Contract: Unrestricted free agent

Look back: Acquired to deal with either Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard in the playoffs, Collins drew Howard in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The results weren’t impressive.

Look ahead: He’ll be 32-years old next season and has declining mobility so it’s not certain the Hawks will want him back

Randolph Morris, 6-11, C

Contract: Unrestricted free agent

Look back: Morris, a Landmark Christian product, spent the most time on the inactive list for the Hawks.

Look ahead: Still only 24-years old but with just 74 games and 437 minutes over four seasons he’ll likely be searching for a job.

Mario West, 6-5, G
Contract: Restricted free agent

Look back: Released during training camp, then signed to consecutive 10-day contracts in January before sticking for the rest of the season. Played spot minutes as a perimeter defender.

Look ahead: The Hawks must extend a qualifying offer to retain right of first refusal.

Josh Childress, 6-8, F
Contract: Restricted free agent; he has a contract option with Greek team Olympiakos for 2010-11

Look back: Childress played four seasons for the Hawks but in 2008 decided to accept a three-year, $20 million contract with Olympiakos of the Euroleague. He was the team’s second-leading scorer this season.

Look ahead: Childress has until July 15 to decide if he will play for Olympiakos next season or return to the NBA. The Hawks plan to extend a one-year, $4.8 million qualifying offer to Childress. They would then maintain his NBA rights and also have the right to match any free-agent offer sheets he signs. The Hawks could also use Childress in a sign-and-trade transaction.