Dwight Howard still believes Shaquille O'Neal can be a fit for an NBA team as the legendary center approaches the end of his career.

"He's still a big body. He's different than he was back in the day but he's still big. He can be a great fit for a team to help them win," Howard said of O'Neal

"I think his presence in the locker room will be needed more than anything at this point in his career. If he would embrace whatever team he's on, he has a lot of knowledge and he could help a team grow."

Howard was also asked by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution whether he felt O'Neal was a good fit for the Hawks.

"I don't know," he said. "I like their lineup now. I know a lot of people get mad and say they're not big on the inside, but they're a big team. They've got big guards. They've got big forwards. They've got a flying forward [Josh Smith]. So it doesn't really matter about having a seven-footer."

It appears as though a group of armed men were on the lockout for former NBA player Lorenzen Wright leading up to his death.

An attorney said Friday that three armed men showed up at the home of Wright's former wife about six weeks ago.

Gail Mathes said her client, Sherra Wright, was afraid for herself and her children, so she kept quiet about the encounter until Monday.

The men, dressed in sport coats with weapons in view, threatened Sherra Wright and her family if she told anyone about the visit, Mathes said.

Lorenzen Wright's body was found Wednesday in the woods in southeast Memphis.

The Atlanta Hawks have re-signed center Jason Collins, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, the financial terms were not disclosed.

?We?re excited to welcome Jason back to the team,? said Hawks head coach Larry Drew. ?He?s a veteran presence in the locker room, and adds experienced depth to the frontcourt. Jason has worked hard in the offseason, and with his knowledge of the system we?re implementing, he?ll continue to be a valuable contributor to our club.?

It appears as though free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal could still land in Atlanta after all.

It was reported recently that O'Neal was a dead issue for the Hawks, but NBA.com's Sekou Smith wrote otherwise on Sunday.

"Per one Hawks official: 'The Shaq situation is not a dead subject for us. We are still exploring the possibilities.'," Smith wrote on his Twitter page.

Jamal Crawford has requested a contract extension from the Hawks, according to league sources.

Crawford is the NBA's reigning Sixth Man of the Year.

He made his request three weeks ago, but talks have not progressed with Atlanta focused on re-signing Joe Johnson.

Crawford is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10 million.

Former Hawks big man Lorenzen Wright is still missing and police are stumped regarding his whereabouts.

Wright has been missing since July 18. Wright's mother flagged down a Collierville (Tenn.) police car on July 22 and filed a missing persons report.

He was last seen visiting his kids at the house of his ex-wife in Collierville, according to police.

But Savia Archie, Wright's sister, told the Memphis Commercial Appeal he was last seen the following morning at a Memphis barbershop.

"There is nothing on his phone records, no bank transactions, his vehicles are still at his house in Smyrna," Lt. Norm Dixon said. "It's like he literally dropped off the face of the earth."

It was reported earlier this week that the Hawks were the only team with active interest in free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal.

Atlanta is now on the verge of signing Josh Powell, which could cloud O'Neal's chances.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com writes that O'Neal may have to drop his asking price and demands for regular playing time or he may not land a contract for the 2010-11 season.

The Hawks are close to signing free-agent big man Josh Powell to a one-year contract.

Hawks rookie coach Larry Drew said, "that's about a done deal."

Powell's deal would be worth the veteran's minimum of $1.1 million and he's expected to sign it on Monday.

Jason Collins is expected to re-sign with the Hawks for the veteran minimum, according to sources.

The signing is not imminent due to Collins currently being in Europe.

The Hawks have no plans to sign Shaquille O'Neal.

A source says Atlanta's ownership doesn't want to exceed the luxury-tax threshold of $70.307 million. They are currently about $4 million shy.

The Hawks still need to fill their roster with three players.

There was a report of a possible sign-and-trade with O'Neal for Marvin Williams, but a source shot down the idea.