Atlanta Hawks Sign Erick Dampier For Rest Of The Season

In a move that isn't exactly sending shock-waves through the NBA, the Atlanta Hawks agreed to guarantee Erick Dampier's contract through the end of the season:

#Hawks officially re-sign C Erick Dampier for rest of season.

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) March 1, 2012

Dampier, after spending the first two months of the NBA's lockout-compressed regular season "staying in shape", was signed by Atlanta team desperate for size with Al Horford until at least the playoffs and Jason Collins still down for 2-4 more weeks.

While playing under two ten-day contracts signed over the course of February, the 36-year old center has averaged 0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 6 games.

But despite his meager production, he's a 15-year NBA veteran who hasn't shrunk from his listed mark of 6'11 265. If Atlanta were to face Orlando in the playoffs, Dampier would be one of the only Hawks strong enough from preventing Dwight Howard from pushing him under the basket and dunking on him.

A starter on the Dallas Mavericks' 2006 NBA Finals team, Dampier is best known for dubbing himself "the NBA's second-best center" behind Shaq in the middle of the decade and Shaq's subsequent declaration after a poor showing in a 2005 playoff game that he was "playing like Erick Dampier".

Erick Dampier's Second 10-Day Contract Expires, Expects To Resign For Remainder Of Season

The Atlanta Hawks will also be without Erick Dampier for Wednesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors after his second 10-day contract with the club expired. By rule the Hawks must now either let Dampier go or resign him for the remainder of the season which they are expected to do as soon as Thursday.

Erick Dampier has yet to re-sign with the #Hawks (for the remainder of the season), but he is expected to sign a contract on Thursday.

— AT - HawksPRGuy (@HawksPRGuy) February 29, 2012

Dampier has appeared in six games with the Hawks totaling 30 minutes of playing time. He has 11 rebounds, one block and one steal on the season. Atlanta signed Dampier to help provide depth for its front court after both Al Horford and Jason Collins went down with injuries.

For more on Jason Collins and the Atlanta Hawks head on over to Peachtree Hoops.

Erick Dampier Expected To Sign Second 10-Day Contract With Hawks, According To Report

According to a report by WSB's Zach Klein, the Atlanta Hawks are expected to sign center Erick Dampier to a second 10-day contract.

Nothing is official, but #hawks expected announce later C Erick Dampier will sign another 10-day contract

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) February 20, 2012

The news isn't terribly surprising given the Hawks current center situation. Al Horford is expected out for at least the remainder of the regular season and Jason Collins has a torn elbow ligament that will keep him out of action for the next 2-4 weeks.

Zaza Pachulia is the new starting center but the Hawks are extremely thin behind him with 6-foot-8 Ivan Johnson getting most of the minutes as the backup. Dampier was signed to add depth and some size to the front court. He appeared in four games with the Hawks playing 26 minutes.

For more on Erick Dampier and the Atlanta Hawks head on over to Peachtree Hoops. For more news and analysis from around the NBA check out SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Erick Dampier's Contract Expires, Atlanta To Reevaluate Situation

Erick Dampier's 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks expired after the team's 97-77 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night. Hawks coach Larry Drew told the Atlanta Journal Constitution before the game that he and general manager Rick Sund would meet on how to proceed.

The Hawks can either sign Dampier to another 10-day contract or for the remainder of the season. They also can choose to go in another direction and have been rumored to be interested in former Utah Jazz big man Kyrylo Fesenko. For what it is worth, Dampier expressed his desire to remain with the Hawks prior to Saturday's game.

"It's been great so far, it's a great group of guys. I think they are trying to mix in some experienced guys in with this team."

Dampier appeared in four games with the Hawks playing 26 total minutes. He totaled 10 rebounds, one steal and one block.

For more on Erick Dampier and the Atlanta Hawks head on over to Peachtree Hoops. For more news and analysis from around the NBA check out SB Nation's NBA Basketball page.

Erick Dampier Kept Himself In Great Shape During The Lockout

Atlanta Hawks Roster: Free Agent Center Erick Dampier Signs 10-Day Contract

The Atlanta Hawks finally added some depth to its frontcourt by signing free agent center Erick Dampier to a 10-day contract.