The Hawks likely will have to have to pay more if they want to re-sign free-agent guard Jamal Crawford.
Indiana, New Jersey, Chicago, Orlando, Portland, New Orleans, and Phoenix are among the teams that have expressed interest in Crawford, according to a person familiar with Crawford's recruitment. The person did not want to be identified because the teams don't want their plans made public.
After last season, Atlanta general manager Rick Sund said the team wanted to re-sign Crawford but first needed to see the details of the new collective bargaining agreement. The Hawks called Crawford's agent on Monday to reiterate their desire to re-sign him, according to the person, but the new CBA won't be ratified until later this week.
Atlanta's chances of signing Crawford or other pricey free agents hinge on whether the team is willing to pay the luxury tax. The dollar-for-dollar tax is levied on team payroll above $70 million; the Hawks currently have about $65 million in guaranteed salaries committed to seven players.
The Hawks, who have never paid the tax, are among those teams waiting to see the final details of the new CBA. The expectations are the distributions to teams that don't pay the tax won't be as lucrative as in the previous labor agreement, a factor that could influence the Hawks to pay the tax.
Sund did not respond to an interview request.
Atlanta's decision on Crawford is complicated by its lack of depth in the backcourt now that Kirk Hinrich is sidelined until at least late January after shoulder surgery. The only other experienced guards on the roster are Joe Johnson and Jeff Teague, and neither plays both backcourt positions like Hinrich.
Judging by the market for Crawford, the Hawks almost certainly would have to pay some tax to re-sign him.
His first-year salary figures to start above the $5 million salary-cap exception for free agents. Chicago and Orlando have inquired about a sign-and-trade with the Hawks that would allow them to pay Crawford more than the $5 million exception, according to a person familiar with the conversations.
Crawford, 31, recast himself as a sixth man after Sund acquired him in a trade before the 2009-10 season. Crawford led all NBA reserves in scoring that season, the first of his career to include a postseason appearance, and league media voted him the winner of the Sixth Man Award.
Before last season, Atlanta rebuffed Crawford's demands for a contract extension and, later, a trade. His offensive production and efficiency both declined last season, with Crawford citing his struggles to take on an expanded playmaking role under new coach Larry Drew.
Two low-cost options at shooting guard were at Philips Arena to work out on Monday: veteran free agent swingman Jerry Stackhouse and Hawks draft pick Pape Sy.
Stackhouse, 37, played in just seven games for Miami last season before being released. He played in a combined 52 games for Dallas and Milwaukee during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
Stackhouse said the Hawks and other teams have been in contact with his agent but so far he hasn't secured an invitation to a training camp. Stackhouse, a Suwanee resident, was hired as an NBA TV analyst but said he wants to keep playing.
“Hopefully somebody needs some veteran help,” he said.
Sy, Atlanta's second-round draft pick in 2010, appeared in three games as a rookie and hopes to earn a larger role after recently playing for a club in his native France. Under the previous CBA, hissalary for this season wouldn't become guaranteed until Jan. 10, though it's not clear if that date will change in the new agreement.
Center Keith Benson, Atlanta's second-round pick in June, also was at Philips Arena to work out on Monday.
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