Pero Antic wants to remain with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent in the offseason, and the interest is mutual.

“From your mouth to God’s ears, we say,” Antic said when asked if he would like to return to the Hawks. “I love it. I love the guys. I love everything. I couldn’t be happier to come. The coaching staff, to be so similar to Europe, to be so understanding of the players, rarely you can find that.”

Antic is in his second season with the Hawks after signing a two-year, $2.45 million deal.

“He’s a good part of our core, our substance, our locker room,” Mike Budenholzer said. “Then, the way he plays on the court, I think he’s done a ton to be somebody you want to be a part of your team going forward.

“The summer and free agency is a ways off but we love him.”