The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the contract option on guard Royal Ivey for the 2006-07 season, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Now entering his third campaign with the Hawks, the 6-foot-3 guard started 66 games last year (playing in 73), posting 3.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg and 1.0 apg (.439 FG%, .727 FT%). Ivey ranked 1st among all NBA guards in fewest turnovers per 48 minutes (1.1). He committed only 23 miscues the entire season (in 978 minutes).
The University of Texas product was originally drafted by the Hawks with the 37th overall pick (second round) in the 2004 NBA Draft. He?s averaged 3.6 ppg, 1.3 apg and 1.3 rpg (.435 FG%, .710 FT%) in 135 career contests (71 starting assignments).
Knight also announced the club has declined to exercise a contract option for guard Donta Smith.