Former Hawks guard Mike Bibby, traded for guard Kirk Hinrich, signed Wednesday with the Miami Heat after buying out his contract with the Washington Wizards.
"I know he's in the latter stage of his career, and I just wish him the best of luck," guard Joe Johnson said.
In buying out his contract, Bibby left his $6.2 million salary for next season on the table in order to get a chance to play with a contender.
"I was surprised, but that's not my business," Johnson said.
In a report Wednesday, Bibby said the Hawks disrespected him by not telling him earlier that he could potentially be traded. On Feb. 23, the day Bibby was traded, the team informed Bibby before he was to leave for the game that he was involved in a potential trade and had him stay at the hotel rather than accompany the team to the arena.
"It's been my experience in all the years I've been involved with the NBA, that is the way you handle it," coach Larry Drew said.
Smith sidelined
Hawks forward Josh Smith did not play Wednesday because of a sprained MCL in his right knee. He was to receive an MRI on Wednesday night.
Smith shot briefly at the team's Wednesday morning shootaround, but did not stay.
"We want him back to where he can play as close to 100 percent as he can," Drew said. "Right now, there's too much pain for him to play, so we'll hold him out."
Smith is considered day-to-day. He sustained the injury in the Hawks' loss to Denver on Monday night.
The Hawks started Jason Collins at center, Marvin Williams and Al Horford at forward and Johnson and Hinrich at guard.
Etc.
The team brought back rookie guard Pape Sy from his NBA Development League run with the Utah Flash. In 23 games, Sy started 11 games and averaged 8.0 points and 1.3 assists. ... Forward Hilton Armstrong, acquired in the Hinrich trade, got his first extended action with the Hawks in the second quarter. ... Johnson on the team's upcoming schedule: "We're trying to position ourselves for the playoffs and try to get a top seed. Basically this month of March, we've almost got to win every game."
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