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Despite losing Al Horford for what could be the entire season and requesting waivers on Donald Sloan yesterday, the Atlanta Hawks are sticking with what they have on their roster for the foreseeable future. Hawks general manager Rick Sund told the AJC on Thursday that the club is "looking and watching" but no moves are imminent.
"I always start the season, everywhere I've been, with three point guards and centers, just in case you lose one of them," Sund said Thursday. "We are looking and watching [for other options], but who knows?"
Without Al Horford, the Hawks currently have two centers on the roster in Zaza Pachulia and Jason Collins. Pachulia has been starting of late but Collins has been rather ineffective leading coach Larry Drew to often employ a small lineup with 6-foot-8 Ivan Johnson at the center position. Many nights that strategy has worked for the Hawks but Wednesday's loss in San Antonio was an example of where their limited size in the post hurt them.
The Hawks did clear a roster spot on Thursday by requesting waivers on rookie point guard Donald Sloan who was deemed expendable with Kirk Hinrich healthy and Jannero Pargo already on the roster. By waiving Sloan, the Hawks salary number dips slightly below the luxury tax threshold which keeps Atlanta from paying the tax and makes them a team that will receive money from tax paying teams.
As far as filling in the frontcourt goes, Atlanta hasn't been enamored with any of the free agent center options. If the Hawks eventually add to their front court then they will likely make another roster move in hopes to stay below the luxury tax threshold.
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