Michael Lee of the AJC writes that this is the day Hawks general manager Billy Knight has been preparing for since he traded away three former All-Stars -- Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Theo Ratliff and Rasheed Wallace -- during a 10-day span last February.

The Hawks have between $18 million and $20 million to spend this summer, giving them the flexibility to pursue every big name talent available or to solidify their needs with the best of the rest.

While it is unrealistic that the biggest names of this free-agent class -- Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash -- would come to Atlanta, the Hawks plan to speak to them. And they can. "We can talk to everybody," Knight said proudly. "No matter what anybody says in this business, it still comes down to the money. We have money."

They plan to make a push for New Jersey All-Star Kenyon Martin, Mehmet Okur of Detroit, Memphis' Stromile Swift and Golden State's Adonal Foyle. They will also take out fliers on Erick Dampier and Marcus Camby, although it is unlikely either player will join a rebuilding situation like the Hawks.