Boston — Now that the Hawks nine-year playoff drought is over, the franchise must face some difficult offseason questions.

Several key contracts run out at the end of June. Mike Woodson's contract expires at the end of June and forwards Josh Smith and Josh Childress and guard Salim Stoudamire become restricted free agents.

Joe Johnson, the Hawks lone all-star, wants to see Woodson and his staff remain in place.

"He's done a great job this season," Johnson said. "I'd love for him and the coaching staff to come back. Hopefully we can really, really make that happen."

Johnson attributes the Hawks playoff season and success against the Celtics to Woodson and his staff.

"They have done so many good things for us this season," Johnson said. "I've learned so much from him and he's the main reason that attracted me to come here. Hopefully, we'll keep him and all of the other guys around."

Smith, Childress become restricted free agents on July 1. Smith and Childress will both have several suitors. Stoudamire, a streak shooter who couldn't stick in the rotation, is likely headed elsewhere.

The Hawks, who can match whatever offers Childress and Smith receive, will have to make a major financial commitment to keep them.

The Hawks selected Childress with the sixth pick and Smith with the 17th pick in the 2004 NBA draft. Childress has developed into a solid sixth man off the bench, while Smith has earned a starting spot.

"I think everything will take care of itself," Smith said. "I don't think that anybody is worried about contracts or any things like that."

Childress would like to stay with the Hawks.

"We have to make sure that we all stick together," Childress said. "That is something that is going to come up this summer. So something that I think we all have to take a look at. If we are going to be good, we have to stay together."

Smith, who is from Powder Springs and played at MacEachern High, would like to continue playing for his hometown team.

"Most definitely, we came a long way," Smith said. "I grew with this team."

Other than stating his desire to return, Smith didn't want to get into his contract situation.

"You have to ask the GM," Smith said. "I can't answer that for you. You have to ask the owners."

Now Smith has a taste of playoff competition.

"Four years being in this league, I was able to accomplish something that some people don't' accomplish for their whole careers," Smith said. "I can definitely learn from this one playoff series that I played and apply it to my career."

Johnson is not sure if the Hawks will be able to sign both of the Joshes.

"I hope that we can," Johnson said. "We have to see what happens."

Also, Johnson would like to see some veteran help.

"We need more veteran leadership," Johnson said. "We've got a lot of young guys that are just running wild [on offense] and we need more veteran leadership. Hopefully we can get that."

Once the Hawks get re-situated for next season, they are hoping to build on this trip to the playoffs.

The Hawks will have point guard Mike Bibby for the entire season.

"This was great for us, it was a lot of our first time," Marvin Williams said. "Now that we've been here, you never want to miss it again. You want to give yourself another chance to win that championship."