HoopsHype.com Rumors

Van Gundy hasn't made a decision about returning to coaching this year, but he holds Ferry in high regard, league sources said. Van Gundy has declined interest in the Milwaukee Bucks' head-coaching job. Yahoo! Sports

Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy 

Drew's contract runs out on June 30, and he's been informed the organization will start to talk with other candidates. While it's almost assured that Drew has coached his final game in Atlanta, there's a small possibility the Hawks could miss out on several of their top targets and return to Drew, sources said. The Hawks' shortlist includes San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer and CSKA Moscow assistant Quin Snyder, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Larry Drew, Mike Budenholzer, Quin Snyder, CSKA Moscow 

There has been no decision on the fate of Hawks coach Larry Drew, less than a week after the season-ending playoff loss. A final determination may not be made until next week or perhaps later as the sides continue to step away from the recently completed season. General manager Danny Ferry gave no timetable for a decision on Drew, in the final year of his contract, during his end-of-season press conference Saturday. Ferry said that the organization would “take some time, some distance, give some space from the season and the playoffs and the emotion of that” before discussing the future of Drew and making other personnel decisions. That process continues. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Danny Ferry, Larry Drew 

Chris Vivlamore: Still no word on future of Larry Drew with Hawks. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Larry Drew 

With members of the Hawks' coaching staff bracing for the firing of Larry Drew to the point that they privately already consider themselves "free agents," in the words of one source, two names have already emerged as prime targets for Hawks general manager Danny Ferry in the anticipated search for Drew's replacement: Budenholzer and Quin Snyder. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Larry Drew, Mike Budenholzer, Quin Snyder 

Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew and his staff have begun exploring other job opportunities in anticipation of the possibility they won't be retained, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Hawks general manager Danny Ferry is expected to make a final decision by the middle of this week, sources said. One source close to the coaching staff believes there is a "slim chance" the coaches will be brought back since Ferry has often talked about changing the franchise's culture. The contracts of Drew and his staff expire on July 1. Yahoo! Sports

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Danny Ferry, Larry Drew 

Hawks interested in Korver: Kyle Korver said Saturday that the Hawks have expressed interest in re-signing him. Korver, obtained in an offseason trade with the Bulls, will become an unrestricted free agent July 1. “They said they would like to work something out, so we’ll talk in July,” Korver said. “I really enjoyed my year here in Atlanta. I enjoyed the team. I enjoyed the organization. I believe (general manager) Danny Ferry is going to do some great things here. I think he has a great opportunity to bring in guys who are going to play fun basketball. “You know the vision he has. You know the kind of basketball that he likes to watch, and I think he’s going to bring in those types of guys, and I like the same basketball that he likes. So, I’m very open to coming back here.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Kyle Korver 

Pachulia wants to return: Zaza Pachulia stood with a walking boot on his right foot and a basketball tucked under his right arm Saturday. They served as symbols of his present and future. The Hawks center missed the final 24 games of the regular season after surgery to repair a partially torn Achillies. Pachulia, a fan favorite, is an unrestricted free agent, and after spending the past eight season in Atlanta, he wants to return. “How can I not (want to be back),” Pachulia said after cleaning out his locker following the season-ending loss. “I’ve been here eight years. I call Atlanta home. You guys know the relationship between me and fans. I would love to be back again. This is my third time being a free agent, and we all understand the business, but again, we’ll see what July brings.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Zaza Pachulia 

General manager Danny Ferry, who will get to put his imprint on the franchise heading into his second year, said Saturday it was too soon to make a call on the future of a coach he inherited. Ferry said the disappointment of a six-game loss to the Indiana Pacers needed to wear off a bit before he decides whether Drew should get another contract. "We're going to take some time, give it some distance, give it some space from the season, from the playoffs, from the emotions of that," Ferry said on the practice court at Philips Arena. "Then we'll make decisions that we feel are best in the short-term and long-term interests of the team." ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Danny Ferry, Larry Drew 

Chris Vivlamore: No indication that the Hawks will make a decision on head coach today. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Larry Drew 

When the cameras were turned off and almost everybody, Josh Smith said what he really thought. Of course he knew this was probably it. “As I walked off the court, everything just sort of hit me,” the Hawks’ forward said late Friday night. “Just the uncertainty of what the future holds. Just thinking about all of the relationships I’ve had here and the people who’ve crossed my path since I’ve been here. I just … I just don’t know.” Does he want to come back? “The only thing I know is I want to be able to experience free agency. I want to explore my options and see what’s out there. I don’t have any certain idea what’s going to happen.” He didn’t sound like a guy eager to return. The fact most in attendance Friday night didn’t sound eager for him to be back — screaming the usual “Nooooooooos!” when he pulled up for jumpers and booed when he missed — speaks volumes about the situation. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Josh Smith 

How much Smith’s shooting was because of poor decision making — the fans’ vote — and how much could be attributed to health reasons is uncertain. Smith conceded that the sprained ankle he suffered late in Game 2 bothered him the remainder of the series and hindered his ability to drive to the basket. But that doesn’t explain everything. “My shot just wasn’t going,” he said. Hawks coach Larry Drew, who has his own future to worry about, defended Smith. “As a team, we didn’t do a good job with our job selection. We settled. It wasn’t just Josh Smith,” he said. “Josh Smith, we need to remember, while a lot of people talk about his shot selection, he brings a lot of other things to the table. His effort against an All-Star, Paul George, was absolutely phenomenal. Josh is a versatile guy. He brings a lot to the table.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Free Agency, Josh Smith 

“Ivan Johnson, he knows how to get under your skin, one of those old school trash talkers,” Pacers swingman Paul George said. Indianapolis Star

Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Paul George, Ivan Johnson 

Chris Vivlamore: Confirmed that John Jenkins, Mike Scott and Shelvin Mack will all compete in Summer League for Hawks. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Summer League, John Jenkins, Shelvin Mack, Mike Scott 

The lineup change also meant that George had to guard Smith. It’s another battle won by the Hawks. Smith has been able to post up George almost at will. When the Pacers tried to give George help, as they did in Game 4, it opened the Hawks’ outside game. The 11 3-pointers in Monday’s 102-91 win tied for the second-most in Hawks playoff history. They made 12 against Orlando on May 13, 1996. “Yeah, I do wish,” coach Larry Drew on whether he should have made the change earlier in the series. “We’ve been aware what the big lineup has meant for us, and it certainly has had its good moments. It hasn’t always worked out that way. Certainly, in making that adjustment, it’s had an effect.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Larry Drew 

There is more statistical evidence of the stark contrast of the Hawks’ play since the lineup change. In Games 1 and 2, the lopsided Pacers victories at home, Smith had a combined plus/minus rating of minus-29. In Games 3 and 4, the one-sided Hawks wins, Smith had a combined plus-34. “Josh has not done a good job; he’s done a superb job in defending Paul George,” Drew said. “Paul is still going to score because he’s that good, but the thing is you have to make him work. I think Josh is doing a good job with that.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Paul George, Larry Drew 

Smith doesn’t flinch, no matter how loud the crowd gets. And they rode the emotional roller coaster with him on this night, play after crazy play from start to finish as Smith scored a career playoff-high 29 points with 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. It was his first 25-point, 10-rebound playoff game and came in his 50th postseason appearance, a nice robust number for a player who continues to confound not only the fans but some of his teammates as well. “This was definitely one of those ‘ooh, aah’ moments with Josh,” Al Horford said. “He gives you those ‘oohs’ and then those ‘aahs.’ It’s kind of a ‘Yes’ and then ‘No’ thing going on. That’s the way it is. I think [the fans] obviously want Josh to be successful. Everybody loves him here. Sometimes we do question his shot selection. But tonight he hit some big shots down the stretch, made some huge plays for other guys down the stretch and made plays to help us win this game. I know it might drive some people a little crazy. But it works for us and that’s just the way it is.” NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford 

“That was the biggest play of the game right there,” Horford said. “He was aware enough to find Kyle and Kyle had a clean look and knocked it down. That’s what it’s all about right there.” NBA.com

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford 

Chris Vivlamore: Johan Petro and his wife Vanessa had a boy, Jacob. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Johan Petro 

Chris Vivlamore: I'm told Johan Petro is en route from Miami. Still uncertain if he will arrive in time for Game 4. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Johan Petro, Injuries