The Hawks have a couple of other upcoming unrestricted free agents this summer — including Kris Humphries.
While much of the offseason attention may be focused on starters Al Horford and Kent Bazemore, the contract of late-season acquisition Humphries is about to expire. Count him among those who would like to be back next season.
“Of course,” Humphries said this week when asked if he want to be back in Atlanta. “It’s been a great experience for me after being traded and ending up here. Coach (Mike Budenholzer) really wanted me here. Being able to get here and have this experience is great.”
Humphries, a veteran of 12 seasons and eight teams, said he rarely has been a part of an organization with such a close-knit group.
“This is high-character guys, great locker room, people who play unselfishly on the floor,” Humphries said. “The way they — we, I’m still saying ‘they’ a lot — the way we play and move the ball is a fun style of basketball. I think that a lot of guys coming from other teams to this team have had bigger roles, have been trusted to do more. It’s cool. Part of it is beyond basketball, comraderie, time on the plane, dinners.”
Humphries, a center, began the season with the Wizards and then was traded to the Suns. He had his contract bought out by the Suns in February and signed with the Hawks. In 21 games, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14 minutes. He was not a part of the Hawks’ rotation in the playoffs, seeing action in only blowouts, until the final two games of the Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Cavaliers. In four postseason games, Humphries averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 14 minutes.
Humphries said he came to the Hawks’ practice court at night when told he wouldn’t be part of the playoff plan to stay ready for his chance. He also worked extra with the Hawks’ staff. While he sat, Humphries said he heard the calls for him to receive more playing time.
“They were playing so well when I got here. Everyone was like, ‘You guys have won so much since you got here,’” Humphries said. “I was like, ‘You guys, this team won 60 games last year. I’d like to think that I’m helping, but it’s already a really good team.’ The impression was guys who worked hard, moved the ball, played really good defense. I haven’t been on a team that has been this good defensively. Obviously, it was tough against Cleveland, but throughout the regular season to have that defensive rating and to play with that commitment on defense was pretty special.”
Humphries said he will continue to work on his 3-point shooting in the offseason. The Hawks already know about the physical nature and the rebounding ability he brings with him. The team has lacked a player who can do the intangibles as Elton Brand and Pero Antic did at the position last season.
If Humphries does remain, he may need to do something about the traffic in Atlanta.
“It only took me 10 minutes to get here today,” he said Monday morning after the Hawks held their exit interviews. “I live 5.5 miles away. On a game day, it takes an hour. I have to move closer I guess. Five miles is too far.”
The Hawks’ other unrestricted free agent is guard Kirk Hinrich, who was acquired at the trade deadline in February and saw limited action. Hinrich left quickly after the Hawks’ season-ending loss and did not attend the team’s exit interview session.
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