Hawks close to adding Josh Powell.

[$tunna]

The Atlanta Hawks are close to addressing their need for a backup big man by acquiring Los Angeles Lakers reserve forward Josh Powell on a one-year deal expected to be for the veteran minimum $992,680, according to league sources. Powell is expected to pick the Hawks over Cleveland, Chicago and New Jersey in the next couple of days.

The 27-year-old Powell has played the last two seasons for the Lakers after signing with them in 2007. Injuries to starting center Andrew Bynum created time for Powell as a backup forward when Pau Gasol had to move into the middle; Powell appeared in 60 and 63 regular season games the last two years, though his minutes dropped from 11.7 per game in 2008-09 to 9.2 last season. He played in 13 playoff games this past season, including an appearance in Game 6 of the Finals against the Celtics.

Powell was well-liked among his Lakers teammates and Coach Phil Jackson, who respected the 6-9 forward's work ethic in practice and his positive demeanor on the bench. But Powell is seeking an opportunity for more playing time, and is likely to get a little more run in Atlanta behind Josh Smith.

The Hawks have been looking for a veteran big to replace Joe Smith, who fell out of favor with former Coach Mike Woodson's staff last season. They explored centers like Brad Miller, who wound up signing with the Rockets, and looked into free agent Shaquille O'Neal, but weren't willing to promise him the money or minutes he was seeking.

Powell has also played for the Mavericks, who signed him out of the NBA Developmental League in 2005, along with the Pacers, Warriors and Clippers.

Via NBA.com

Josh Powell, who spent the last two seasons with the Lakers, is expected to join the Atlanta Hawks.

Hawks first-year Coach Larry Drew said, "that's about a done deal."

Via LA Times

 

[RipCity32]

Well because he is trash lol.

 

[$tunna]

huh?

 

[Pugz]

i think he may have commented on the post i said, which i deleted. lol

 

[RipCity32]

Yes I did lol.

 

[$tunna]

oh. :mellow:

 

[$tunna]

The Hawks get no Love here =[

 

[snipezo]

Well, a scrub getting signed isn't really BIG news lol.

 

[$tunna]

He's a scrub cause we signed him. If the Heat signed him he'd a a good role player with championship experience. <_<

 

[elcheato]

He's a scrub because well.. He's a scrub.

 

[$tunna]

He's a scrub because well.. He's a scrub.

I get it man

 

[.GR]

LMAO. Thread of the f-cking year. Sorry Stunna, it was just funny lol

 

[$tunna]

Its all good Greg

 

[Pugz]

hes not a scrub, no one in the nba is actually that bad. but hes not good. haha

 

[kdogg]

He's a scrub cause we signed him. If the Heat signed him he'd a a good role player with championship experience. <_<

Funny how that describes Juwan Howard (no championships though lol)

 

[playmaker7]

Good bench signing for the Hawks I guess?

But yeah, <Censored>ing scrub lol

 

[jdelarosa]

This guy is the Scrubby McScrubington of this league in my opinion.

 

[$tunna]

This guy is the Scrubby McScrubington of this league in my opinion.

Wow.

I think we're done here guys..

 

[CameronCrazy06]

This is the signing that will elevate the Hawks to championship status.

/sarcasm

 

[$tunna]

When the Lakers visited Atlanta last season, Josh made a point to stop by his alma mater to donate $20,000 for a new computer lab. Powell brought two teammates to the assembly held at Riverdale that day – Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher. The fact that two extremely accomplished stars would go out of their way to support a ‘role player’ speaks very highly of their respect for Josh as a player and a teammate.

At least dude is from ATL and has respect wit the Lakers squad.