HoopsHype.com Rumors

Christopher A. Vito: Atlanta's Lou Williams, on keeping up with the #Sixers: "I only read what pops up on @hoopshype." #endorsement Twitter @ChrisVito

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Louis Williams 

The Atlanta Hawks say they are optimistic guard Lou Williams will be ready for training camp following reconstructive surgery on his right knee. Williams' surgery was performed on Thursday in Gulf Breeze, Fla., by Dr. James Andrews, leaving about eight months before the start of next season's training camp. The Hawks say they are basing their optimism on the success of other athletes who have had surgery to repair torn anterior cruciate ligaments, including Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Injuries, Louis Williams 

Hawks guard Lou Williams had surgery today to repair a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Gulf Breeze, FL. The surgery was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews and assisted by Hawks orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ashok Reddy from the Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic. Williams will now undergo a period of rest, treatment and rehabilitation for his torn ACL. He will spend the next 2-3 weeks beginning his rehabilitation at the Andrews Institute. His status will be updated as appropriate throughout his recovery. NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Injuries, Louis Williams 

Jeff Zillgitt: Hawks G Lou Williams will miss rest of the season with a torn ACL in right knee. X-rays last night were negative. MRI today revealed injury. Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Atlanta Hawks, Injuries, Louis Williams 

“We are extremely disappointed for Lou and our thoughts and support will be with him during his recovery,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry. “He has been a complete professional in every sense of the word and know that approach, along with his work ethic, will serve him well in his rehabilitation.” SI.com

Atlanta Hawks, Injuries, Louis Williams 

The Hawks lost Williams with 7:12 remaining in the second quarter with an initial diagnosis of a right knee sprain pending further tests. Williams was driving to the basket and pulled up without contact. He screamed out several times as he continued off the court without putting weight on his leg. After lying down in the entryway to the arena to be attended to by Hawks trainers, Williams was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Injuries, Louis Williams 

“I thought it was a group that was still capable of winning after Joe left, and the other offers that I had on the table were really teams that were rebuilding and I didn’t really want to go through that scenario,” Williams tells HOOPSWORLD. “I was in a situation in Philadelphia where I felt like that was a team that was turning the corner to be a pretty good team, so to have success in Philadelphia, and then leaving, I didn’t want to start over.” HoopsWorld

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Louis Williams 

When July 1 rolled around, Williams became a free agent for the first time in his career. He said leading up to that date that he would test the free-agent market, but was hopeful he could work something out with the Sixers. “I think Philly did a good job of making my decision easy for me,” Williams said. “They made it clear they were going in a different direction and at that time I had to find somewhere else to go, and luckily for me I landed on my feet in my hometown. Both sides moved on. It is what it is, and I am sure they are happy with what they got out of the deal and I am happy to be at home.” CSNPhilly.com

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Louis Williams 

“We miss Lou dearly. I miss his smile, his personality and all he brought to this team,” Sixers head coach Doug Collins said. “I think he has led them in scoring the last five games. They are a very balanced team, a lot like the team he played on here. Their leading scorer scores 17 points a game. I think there are eight teams like that and only three of them have winning records, and Lou has fit into that team beautifully. He is a guy that can throw up a huge night and we know that ” CSNPhilly.com

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Doug Collins, Louis Williams 

“Last year we depended on [Lou Williams] a lot,” Collins said. “Lou was our money guy and [Andre Iguodala] would make some plays for us at the end of games. Jrue and Evan were evolving, and now you see those guys taking on more responsibility.” “But I think every team would say they would want to have the ultimate closer,” Collins continued. “I mean, do you want Michael Jordan or committee? Do you want Mariano Rivera or four short relievers? You want somebody that is going to slam the door, and what we are trying to do is develop that. And the thing I loved last night was that Jrue missed the two free throws and came back and buried that jump shot. And we went right back to him. From my stand point, I had forgotten those two free throws, and I wanted him to.” CSNPhilly.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Andre Iguodala, Doug Collins, Louis Williams 

The 76ers moved in a different direction with the acquisition of center Andrew Bynum during the offseason. They became less a guard-oriented team, one that Williams flourished in during his tenure, and will play out of the post. Williams no longer fit their plans. The writing on the wall, Williams kept an eye and ear on Atlanta. “I was always familiar with the way things were moving because me and Josh would always communicate on a personal level as close friends,” Williams said. “Seeing Joe [Johnson] leaving and seeing that there was an opportunity to fill a void with scoring. And they brought Devin [Harris], DeShawn [Stevenson] and Anthony [Morrow] in before myself. Those were guys who I was interested in playing with. Those are guys I knew would compete at a high level. I wanted to be part of the process.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Louis Williams 

The team’s leading scorer from last season, shooting guard Lou Williams, signed a multi-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks this past summer as the Sixers opted to sign guard Nick Young instead. Williams admits to being somewhat shocked the Sixers didn’t make re-signing him one of their priorities. “Just to be honest I was completely surprised,” Williams told HOOPSWORLD. “But I think they were in a position where they were trying to transition to a different style of basketball and that showed with them going with bigger guards and getting Andrew Bynum.” HoopsWorld

Atlanta Hawks, Louis Williams 

Josh Smith may not hear the groans from the Philips Arena crowd when he squares up to take a 3-pointer this season. Why? Listen to Smith tell it. “You haven’t seen the roster?” Smith turned around a reporter’s question about his long-range shooting plans on a rebuilt Hawks roster. “We’ve got Kyle Korver, Devin Harris, Louis Williams, Anthony Morrow, Anthony Tolliver. Am I missing anyone? Jeff Teague. … So there we go. That answers that question. I didn’t even say my name did I? Call me mid-range shawty.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Devin Harris, Kyle Korver, Anthony Morrow, Anthony Tolliver, Josh Smith, Louis Williams, Jeff Teague 

But I’m most intrigued to see how Lou Williams fits. He’s a very effective scorer but, if he’s going to remain in a role similar to the one he filled in Philly, he may need to play alongside either Harris or Teague. “I was off the ball [in Philadelphia], I would prefer to be off the ball, and I think both of those guys [Teague and Harris] are on the ball,” Williams said. “So I don’t think it will be an issue as much as people think it is. Once we open up camp I’m sure Coach [Larry] Drew will do a good job in figuring out where everyone is going to go.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Louis Williams 

“More attacking than catch-and-shoot,” Williams said. “Actually catch-and-shoot is one of the things I’ve been able to work on this whole summer. Coming down in transition and catching the ball and shooting, instead of catching and trying to create so much off the dribble.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Louis Williams 

Danny Ferry: With Joe gone, the dynamic of our team is naturally going to change. There’s going to be more touches and more possessions that other people are gonna be a part of. I would imagine that both Devin [Harris] and Jeff — and Louis [Williams] — will absorb a lot of those. And all of them will become very important to our group. Grantland

Atlanta Hawks, Joe Johnson, Devin Harris, Danny Ferry, Louis Williams, Jeff Teague 

"In the past in Philadelphia, my role was to light it up and score as many points as I possibly could," (Lou) Williams said. "Talking to coach (Larry) Drew and talking to (general manager Danny Ferry), I think my role will be similar, if not increased. Obviously, you have Devin and you have Jeff, who are very talented guards, and then you add myself in that mode. I've always been the type of guy that I'm a team player, I'm a team guy. I don't plan on coming in here competing with these guys negatively. I think we can all compete and help us all win games." FOXSportsSouth.com

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Louis Williams 

‪Bob Cooney: #Sixers‬ offered Lou Williams "2. 3, 4 year deals," according to coach Doug Collins. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Doug Collins, Louis Williams 

The Hawks signed Williams on Thursday, days after agreeing to terms with the guard on a multi-year contract. Terms were not disclosed, but the Hawks likely signed Williams by using part of their mid-level salary-cap exception. Williams, 25, is a former star at South Gwinnett High school, a two-time Mr. Basketball winner in Georgia and a McDonald's All-American. "Upon learning of his situation, Lou was a player we really targeted for our club," Hawks general manager Danny Ferry said in a statement. "He's a young and experienced professional who is capable of providing leadership as a starter or a reserve, and his versatility is a tremendous plus for our backcourt." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Louis Williams 

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