Atlanta Journal Constitution--Rox Interested in Newble

Hawks can only watch as signing frenzy cranks up

By MICHAEL LEE



Boston -- Today, free agents can quit all of the talk and officially sign some contracts. Some big dominoes are expected to fall quickly, with future Hall of Famers Gary Payton and Karl Malone latching on to the Los Angeles Lakers, Jason Kidd and Alonzo Mourning saddling up with the New Jersey Nets, and Jermaine O'Neal staying with the Indiana Pacers.

The Hawks have remained relatively silent since the free agent courting period began July 1, expressing only a desire to retain restricted free agent Jason Terry. No buzz suits Hawks director of basketball operations Billy Knight just fine, since he usually likes to keep his plans close to his sleeve.

"I'm happy that we're quiet," Knight said Tuesday at the Reebok Pro Summer League at UMass-Boston. "We're hoping that things can happen in our favor. We'll keep looking to add players that will make our team better, and some of those players will be available thoughout the summer."

Free agent swingman Ira Newble will not be around that long. He could be wearing another uniform by this time next week, his agent Steve Kauffman said.

"My options are open," said Newble, who is home in Detroit this week. "I want to be back in Atlanta. But I'm not sure if they actually respect what I bring to the team. It's not a matter of me waiting on the Hawks. It's if the Hawks will do what they need to do to bring me back. I honestly believe their hands are tied."

Newble is high on the priority list of the Chicago Bulls, but that could change if they are able to lure small forward Scottie Pippen back into the fold. The Bulls are the only team Newble has visited, but Kauffman said Memphis, Cleveland and Houston have also expressed interest in the hard-nosed, defensive-minded player.

"Any one of them could wind up signing him," Kauffman said. "We've had talks with [the Hawks], but it doesn't look like it's going anywhere."

Newble averaged 7.7 points points and 3.7 rebounds in 26.5 minutes last season and is looking at a deal starting at $2 million to $3 million a year.

"I feel, bottom line, I deserve an average NBA salary," said Newble, who was forced to take a one-year deal worth about $872,000 last year. "I don't have a big name. I don't put up big numbers, but I feel I can help a team win, no matter who I play for."

Said Knight, "Ira is a good player and a good guy. He's the type of player you want to have on your team. We'd like to keep him, but if we don't we will have to look somewhere else."

Knight and Hawks president Stan Kasten have both said that the pending ownership exchange between AOL Time Warner and David McDavid has not hampered their offseason plans.

"I don't know if we're limited in what we're doing," Knight said. "The transition in ownership -- that hasn't stopped what we're doing in terms of who we're talking to and what we're talking about. It's not the most ideal situation, but it is what is. I can't worry about it. There is nothing I can do."

 

What does everyone think of Ira Newble's game? I really haven't seen much of him.