The Atlanta Hawks took a step back last season, and are now facing a crucial offseason. After trading Jeff Teague to the Pacers, they have the cap space to re-sign Al Horford to a max deal, along with adding another top-tier free agent. They're looking to free agency to help them return to being a contender. Here are all the latest Hawks news and rumors you need to know:
Hawks land meeting with Howard
Dwight Howard has set up meetings with the Celtics and Hawks, according to ESPN. Howard will meet with up to five teams, and a return to the Rockets is unlikely. The Miami Heat could also try to secure a meeting if they can't re-sign Hassan Whiteside. The Celtics and Hawks need center help, especially if Al Horford leaves Atlanta. Howard isn't the scorer he once was, but he can still provide defense and rebounding.
Bazemore wants to re-sign with Hawks
Kent Bazemore has found a nice role and blossomed into a starter in Atlanta, and that improvement has several teams going after his in free agency. However, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that Bazemore wants to and is expected to re-sign with the Hawks:
According to an NBA source, Bazemore is “not ruling the Knicks out because he fills a need for them at the wing.” But the source isn’t sure if the Knicks will come into play. Bazemore’s intention is to stay in Atlanta. But if it doesn’t work out, Bazemore will have a bevy of suitors, including New Orleans and the Knicks.
Bazemore averaged 11.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.
Atlanta picks up Muscala's option
The Hawks have picked up their option on big man Mike Muscala's contract on Tuesday, keeping him in Atlanta for another season, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
The Hawks picked up their team option on center Mike Muscala on Wednesday. Muscala will return for a fourth season with the team with a salary of $1,015,696. It will be the final season of the rookie contract he signed in 2014.
Muscala averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game last season.
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