The Atlanta Hawks are trying to balance out their backcourt and make a playoff push by bringing in Mike Bibby.
Hawks coach Mike Woodson said Bibby, acquired from the Sacramento Kings for four players yesterday, will provide scoring help for Joe Johnson.
“There's another option now,” Woodson said. “It'll be like a one-two punch in the backcourt.”
Bibby, 29, has averaged 16.7 points for his career and is making more than 36 percent of his three-point shots for the ninth straight year.
The Hawks sent 2006 first-round pick Shelden Williams, veteran forward Lorenzen Wright, point guards Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue, and a 2008 second-round pick to the Kings.
The Hawks, percentage points behind the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, are trying to make the postseason for the first time since 1999.
The trade is pending league approval and physicals.
Bibby is expected to join the team tomorrow in Los Angeles, where he will have his physical. The Hawks play the Lakers on Tuesday night and play at Sacramento on Wednesday night.
No hope for Seattle
NBA Commissioner David Stern said he expects the SuperSonics to leave Seattle, either this year or when their lease expires in 2010. “It's apparent to all who are watching that the Sonics are heading out of Seattle,” Stern said during his All-Star weekend press conference. “I accept that inevitability at this point. There is no miracle here.”
Stern revealed he has encouraged the SuperSonics to make an offer to the city to buy out the remaining two years of the lease to Key Arena. He said the offer approached $30 million and was rejected.
