Veteran free agent forward Tracy McGrady plans to sign a one-year contract with the Hawks, according to a person with knowledge of McGrady’s intentions.
The person did not want to be identified because NBA teams are not allowed to agree to terms until Friday, after the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified by players and owners. However, the person said McGrady told the Hawks he would sign a contract for the veteran’s minimum once the rules allow it.
McGrady, 32, was the No. 9 overall pick by Toronto in the 1997 draft. He was an All-Star for Orlando and Houston from 2000-01 to 2006-07, but a series of injuries contributed to his steady decline.
McGrady rejuvenated his career last season in Detroit, where he started 39 of 72 games and averaged eight points and 3.5 assists while shooting 44 percent from the field. McGrady served as a so-called “point forward” for the Pistons because of his ballhandling and passing skills.
McGrady is likely to play as a reserve for the Hawks, who are looking to round out their bench with veteran bargains. Marvin Williams started 52 games at small forward last season for the Hawks and two wing reserves are no longer with the team: Mo Evans was traded to Washington last season and Damien Wilkins is a free agent.
McGrady would be one of only seven healthy veterans on the roster so far for Atlanta, joining Williams, forward Josh Smith, guards Joe Johnson and Jeff Teague, and centers Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia.
Horford on Crawford
Smith already has said he wants the Hawks to re-sign guard Jamal Crawford, the team’s top free agent. Horford also called for the Hawks to bring back Crawford.
“We are a much better team with him,” Horford said. “We need his scoring and his presence, and he just makes our team better.”
The Hawks have said they want to re-sign Crawford, but he’s attracting strong interest from a number of teams. The Hawks may face restraints on signing Crawford and other pricey free agents because of a reluctance to pay a dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on high payrolls.
Horford also said he hopes the Hawks sign “a couple of solid [centers]” so they can regularly use a “big” lineup. Last season the Hawks had success using a lineup that featured Horford and Smith at forward alongside 7-footer Jason Collins, who now is a free agent.
Horford said he believes he still will play both center and power forward but likes the “big” lineup.
Etc.
Rookie free agent guard Brad Wanamaker was working out at Philips Arena on Wednesday. Wanamaker, who played at Pittsburgh, participated in a Hawks minicamp for prospects in June, before the lockout. ... The Hawks announced that tickets for all home games will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday. Tickets are available at hawks.com, the Philips Arena box office and Ticketmaster locations. The team also said it will eliminate fees on all purchases of tickets for home games.
