HoopsHype.com Rumors

Ken Berger: Philly already has interviewed Tom Penn and Danny Ferry for a position that will involve eventually replacing Rod Thorn as team president. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Tom Penn, Rod Thorn, Danny Ferry, Jeff Bower 

According to Ferry, the moves weren’t easy to make because of the solid contributions of Johnson and Williams over the years, but needed to be done to usher in a fresh start. “Difficult decision to make in moving guys of that caliber,” Ferry told HOOPSWORLD about making the Williams and Johnson deals. “I think the mindset was that we probably weren’t good enough and the status quo wasn’t going to make sense if that was the case.” HoopsWorld

Atlanta Hawks, Joe Johnson, Danny Ferry, Marvin Williams 

Sources say the Sixers' ownership group, headed by Harris and private-equity guru David Blitzer, is expected to consider several candidates to handle the day-to-day duties under Thorn and eventually succeed him as team president. The Sixers previously interviewed former Spurs and Cavaliers exec Danny Ferry, who was later hired to the GM post in Atlanta. CBSSports.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Rod Thorn, Danny Ferry 

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran guard Lou Williams to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/GM Danny Ferry. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed. NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Louis Williams 

Hawks forward Josh Smith is eager to see what Danny Ferry has in store for the in the future but he doesn’t seem to be impressed by what he sees right now. Ferry agreed to trade Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams in deals that no doubt leave the Hawks as a worse team now. Word is Smith, whose contract expires after next season, expressed his concerns about the team’s direction in a recent meeting with Ferry. The Hawks GM in turn told Smith his short- and long-term visions for making the team a contender. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Danny Ferry, Josh Smith 

Ferry acknowledged meeting with Smith last week. “It went great,” Ferry said. “It went fine.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Danny Ferry, Josh Smith 

The other factor is Smith had a solid relationship with Johnson, who was Smith’s longest-tenured teammate along with Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams. Smith was in his second season when Johnson arrived in Atlanta with the expectation of being the team’s star. Smith and Johnson’s strong chemistry on the court was obvious, too, with Smith often looking to pass to Johnson in transition or spotting up in the half court. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Danny Ferry, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Zaza Pachulia 

The Atlanta Hawks have named Wes Wilcox as Assistant General Manager, according to President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Wes Wilcox 

Brian Windhorst: Danny Ferry makes another move, plans to hire Cavs director of player personnel Wes Wilcox as asst GM in ATL sources say Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Danny Ferry, Wes Wilcox, Atlanta, Hawks 

Former Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry is looking to his old team for help with his new job. Ferry, now the general manager at Atlanta, has lured away Wes Wilcox, the Cavaliers' director of player personnel, from Cleveland, the Cavaliers said. Wilcox will be Ferry's assistant general manager for the Hawks. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Danny Ferry, Wes Wilcox 

Before Ferry was hired, Smith told the Hawks he wants to be traded to a franchise he considers to be more committed to winning a championship. There’s been no indication that Smith has changed his mind after Ferry’s hire, which does nothing to placate Smith’s desire to also play in what he believes to be a better sports market. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Danny Ferry, Josh Smith 

Danny Ferry didn’t make the decisions that led to the Hawks owing $61 million in salaries next season to six veteran players on a team that’s topped out in the second round of the playoffs. But now that’s he’s Hawks GM, Ferry will have to build a roster for next season without much financial flexibility. And he will have to start doing it pretty much on the fly because the free-agent negotiating period opens Sunday, less than a week after he took the job. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry 

But new Hawks general manager Danny Ferry apparently isn't ready to part with Smith right away. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Trade, Danny Ferry, Josh Smith 

But new Hawks general manager Danny Ferry apparently isn't ready to part with Smith right away. Boston, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers -- with Pau Gasol as the prime piece being offered in L.A.'s case -- have joined Orlando this week in making their interest in Smith known. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Pau Gasol, Danny Ferry, Josh Smith 

Atlanta's recent front-office change could come into play, too, as new general manager Danny Ferry is expected to retool the Hawks' roster and one of Howard's closest friends, Josh Smith, is likely to be available. Smith, who has a $13.2 million expiring contract next season, reportedly requested a trade last season. ESPN.com reported that Smith is a possible target for Houston. SI.com

Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Trade, Danny Ferry, Josh Smith 

Danny Ferry on why he decided to take the job with the Hawks: “What attracted me to the Hawks and the prospect of leaving San Antonio was I was in a place, a tremendous organization and I had great relationships there but I was struck by Bruce Levinson’s humble approach to their past and his passion and dedication to do things in the future the right way. That was critical for me and that’s where it all started. My conversations with him over the past few weeks had nothing to do with what players were on the roster but were we going to be able to build a program that he was willing to invest in that did things from an analytical standpoint, a medical standpoint from each domain that an organization has, were we going to be willing to do it the right way? When I got those assurances and gained a trust level and generally liked Bruce then I was ready. I’m excited to be here, there’s a lot of work to be done, anxious to get after it and go from here.” Sports Radio Interviews

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry 

Ferry on whether he has spoken with Larry Drew since taking over: “Absolutely. I sat down with Larry yesterday and I sat down with him again today. We will spend a lot of time together coming up here to look at all the options that are available to the team and I look forward to getting to know him as a person first and foremost.” Sports Radio Interviews

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Larry Drew 

Why did you choose here instead of Philly? Danny Ferry: “It would have been a great privilege working with Doug Collins. I think he’s a great basketball mind. . . . I got really comfortable with this opportunity as it relates to Bruce. What I get is a great sense of humility but also a sense of intense focus and passion and pride about what can happen here going forward, the resources, the willingness that made me excited about this opportunity.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Danny Ferry, Doug Collins 

What will Rick Sund’s role be? Danny Ferry: “What we agreed with is let’s work together the next month [through] the draft, free agency, summer league. And really table the discussion until then as far as what he wants and what’s ultimately best for the organization.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Rick Sund 

Looks like all the talk about Rod Thorn being a lame duck was a bit premature. When asked over a week ago what his role would be in the upcoming draft – right after it was reported that Danny Ferry was the leading candidate to take over his job as Sixers president, Rod Thorn had this to say to The Inquirer regarding Thursday’s upcoming talent grab. "Oh, yeah," Thorn said. "We will do it the same way we did last year. I'm busy with that now, and it will be exactly the same way." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Draft, Rod Thorn, Danny Ferry