Saying he feels no pressure to live up to the expectations that come with $124 million contract, Joe Johnson spoke to the media about the Hawks' attempt to earn credibility.

“I don’t feel no pressure at all,” Johnson said. “I try to do the things I have been doing over my career, period. Just come out and play the game the way I know how to play.”

Johnson indicated he's ready take on more responsibility.

“It’s easy to be good, but it’s hard to be great,” Johnson said. “I want to be great. In order for me to do that, I am going to have to keep working, keep practicing to get better.”

The Atlanta Hawks today signed free agent guard Willie Green, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.  

Green played in 77 games last season with the New Orleans Hornets, starting 13, and averaging 8.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 1.0 apg (.443 FG%, .348 3FG%, .780 FT%). He has played in 499 career regular season games, including 422 with Philadelphia, where he spent his first seven seasons before his one year with the Hornets. Green has averaged 9.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 1.6 apg (.425 FG%, .322 3FG%, .756 FT%) over his career, also seeing action in 23 postseason games.

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard Jannero Pargo, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Pargo signed with the Bulls on March 20, 2011, but didn’t appear in a contest last season. In 2009-10 with Chicago, the seven-year veteran played in 63 games (starting five), averaging 5.5 ppg, 1.4 apg and 1.2 rpg in 13.2 mpg. He’s also spent time with the Lakers, Raptors and Hornets. In 379 career contests, he’s put in 6.6 ppg, 2.0 apg and 1.5 rpg in 15.7 mpg.

The Hawks finished last season ranked just 11th out of 15 Eastern Conference teams in the percentage of possessions used (shot, free throw or turnover) in transition, according to Synergy Sports Technology.

That's where Jeff Teague comes in.

“It’s perfect for me,” Teague said. “That’s the big thing I tried to come in and preach to the guys when I got here [for training camp] is I want to start pushing the ball.”

Teague is set to play the bulk of his minutes alongside Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Al Horford. There won't be many teams faster from one through five.

“They all can get up and down the floor, which gives us a tremendous advantage in transition if we commit to the run, which I am really trying to get these guys to do,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said. “Jeff can really exchange ends. Joe can run. Marvin can run. Josh Smith is a deer and Al is probably as fast as any five man in the league.”

Josh Smith was prepared to be traded from the Hawks when the 2011 Playoffs ended, as the up and downs of his tenure with the Hawks began to wear on him.

“When you’ve been in one place for a while, it crosses you mind: Maybe I want to get lost. Punch the GPS a few times.

“I’ve been here a long time. I’ve never lashed out at the organization. All I ask for sometimes is, when I raise my hand, maybe somebody can help me up, so I’m not always the person who’s trying to [defend me from criticism]. It would be nice if somebody else said, ‘This guy’s a pretty good player.’”

During the offseason, Smith changed his workout routine and his diet while losing 25 pounds. He now weights 225, which is his lightest since coming to the NBA straight out of high school.

After only a few days of drills, coach Larry Drew said, “He’s getting off his feet a lot quicker, getting to the rim and exploding, even more than he has in the past.

“I’m seeing and hearing a passion I haven’t seen before.”

“I’ve been in the league a while," said Smith. "My main concern now is winning. I want to win, no matter what the cost is. I want to be one of the elite teams in this league. My window isn’t closing, but it’s slowly going down. Before I get out of here, I want to accomplish some things.”

The Knicks are seeking a three-team sign-and-trade to acquire Jamal Crawford, according to a source.

One source put the odds of a deal being consummated at better than 50 percent.

Crawford may be able to sign for a deal that puts his annual salary at over $5 million.

According to Ken Berger, the current version of the proposal wouldn't include Toney Douglas.

Sam Amick reports the Warriors are not involved in negotiations.

The Atlanta Hawks today signed forward Vladimir Radmanovic, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.  Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Radmanovic spent last season with the Golden State Warriors, averaging 5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 1.1 apg in 15.8 mpg (.431 FG%, .405 3FG%, .882 FT%), appearing in 74 games (six starts), and ranking 23^rd in the league in three-point percentage.

The Atlanta Hawks today re-signed center Jason Collins, and signed Tracy McGrady as well as rookie second-round draft pick Keith Benson, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

Now in his third season in an Atlanta uniform, Collins appeared in 49 regular season games (28 starts) for the Hawks last year, averaging 2.0 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 12.1 mpg.

McGrady comes to the Hawks from the Pistons, where in 72 games (39 starts) last season, he averaged 8.0 ppg, 3.5 apg and 3.5 rpg in 23.4 mpg.

Benson was selected by the Hawks in the second round (48th overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Oakland University.

Jason Collins will sign with the Hawks on a one-year deal, according to a source.

Collins has spent the past two seasons with Atlanta and received 12.1 minutes per game in 10-11.

Tracy McGrady has agreed to a one-year deal with the Hawks for the veteran-minimum, according to a source.

McGrady played for the Pistons last season, starting in 39 of the 72 games in which he appeared. 

McGrady will presumably replace the bench scoring provided by Jamal Crawford.