The Hawks traded their leading scorer for an expiring contract in July. They didn't have a coach or general manager until August; a prospective new owner (or owners) until mid-September; a starting point guard or shooting guard until late September; or a starting small forward until after training camp began in October.

So, after scrunching the offseason into a two-month sprint, do the Hawks have any chance of competing this year? If you ask most prognosticators, the answer is an unequivocal no.

"The Hawks are hurting, and general manager Billy Knight said he is exploring the possibility of getting a roster exception or salary exception for the upcoming season."

As of right now, their roster stands at 16 players.

Stern said Boston businessman Steve Belkin, the largest investor in the eight-man group, "is a huge NBA fan and a knowledgeable one. So we're delighted about that." The commissioner also expressed delight with the "local flavor" in the group.

The Orlando Magic gave the Atlanta Hawks permission to speak with coach Doc Rivers this offseason.

"Rivers, though, says there was a phone call from the Hawks "that I never got involved in." He said he never considered leaving -- or listening to people who recommended he bail on this jinxed franchise. "I'm going to see this out [in Orlando]," he said. ". . . no matter how hard this has to be to get this right."

The Houston Rockets were also interested but Rivers wasn't.

Obinna Ekezie nearly missed making Orlando's last year and was likely to make Atlanta's this year until it was discovered that he dore his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)in Thursday night's game against Miami..

Ekezie is now probably going to miss the entire upcoming season.

"The Hawks' active roster is now 16 after the team cut point guard Tierre Brown."

The Atlanta Hawks learned this morning that an MRI has revealed that forward/center Obinna Ekezie has torn his right anterior cruciate ligament, it was announced by General Manager Billy Knight. The 6-9 free agent training camp invitee suffered the injury with less than seven minutes left in Thursday's game at Miami when he went up for a rebound and landed awkwardly on the floor. He did not return to action and is sidelined indefinitely.

It sounds like the Phoenix Suns will cut down their 18-man roster soon.

"The club is expected to release guard DerMarr Johnson, trimming the roster to 17 players."

Atlanta Hawks General Manager Billy Knight today announced the signing of free agent guard/forward Stephen Jackson to a contract. Per team policy, terms were not announced.