Despite helping to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a playoff berth in each of the past two seasons, including a series win in the 2009 playoffs, it appears point guard Mike Bibby won't be in Atlanta next year.
That's because the Hawks are getting guard Jamal Crawford from Golden State for backup point guards Acie Law and Speedy Claxton. Now, Crawford is more of a shoot-first guard and not much of a point guard, so it's very likely that Atlanta takes a point guard in Thursday's NBA draft.
It's also somewhat surprising that Atlanta took on Crawford's big salary since the team wouldn't pay Josh Childress last year. Bibby, meanwhile, is an unrestricted free agent who expects at least $7 million a year, and there's no way the Hawks can afford that now.
At worst, Crawford can give the Hawks consistent backcourt offense, which will ease pressure on Joe Johnson. Crawford averaged 19.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds last season, splitting his time with New York and Golden State.
Law and Claxton were players that the Hawks had tabbed as the solution to their ongoing point guard problems but never panned out. Atlanta is still paying for passing on Chris Paul and Deron Williams a few years ago in favor of Marvin Williams in the draft.
It's hard to see how either team got better in this deal. Golden State is basically using this as a salary dump, as it has a load of players locked into long-term deals. Law and Claxton combine to make $7.4 million this year, the final year for both in their current contracts. Claxton may not even play again, with insurance covering his salary because of an injury. Law is a backup point guard at best.
Crawford is due to make $9.3 million this season and another $10.1 million due the following year. In fact, this deal won't become official until Crawford signs a document stating that he will not opt out this summer.
Late last season, Warriors coach Don Nelson told Crawford that he didn't fit into the Warriors' plans and he'd be traded if he didn't opt out.
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