Forward Al Harrington isn’t a household name. No one who plays for the woeful Atlanta Hawks is. So why do so many NBA general managers covet him?
Because Harrington can play both forward positions, he can score inside and out, he rebounds well and is an above-average passer. And he’s only 25.
The 6-foot-9, 245-pounder will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. And because Harrington is in the final year of a contract paying $6.9 million this season, expect several teams to make a run at him before the Feb. 23 trading deadline, or after the season if he isn’t traded.
“I try not to think about it. It’s a reality,” Harrington said. “My agent’s working for me. He’s keeping his finger to the pulse of what is going on. Obviously, if it were a situation where I do make a move or do get traded, it would be to a team that is at least competing for the championship. That would be a good thing to at least get to a team of that caliber and show what I can do on a national stage once again. I kind of hope it doesn’t happen.”
Expect it to happen.
While it could be risky to acquire Harrington now because he will become a free agent, the team he finishes the season with will have his “Bird rights,” which will allow the team to sign him to a six-year contract with 12.5 percent pay increases. Other teams under the salary cap could sign him to a five-year deal, at best, with annual 8 percent pay increases.
The New York Knicks would like to acquire Harrington now because they are over the salary cap and can sign him next year only if he is their free agent. Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas coached Harrington when both were with the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks are not fond of the idea of giving up young talent in return, however.
The Chicago Bulls are believed to be interested in Harrington to improve their team and block the rival Knicks from getting him.
New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Charlotte will have salary cap room to go after Harrington next summer. The Nuggets have interest in Harrington, too, but a trade is unlikely because Atlanta would want injured forward-center Nene in return.
Harrington was averaging 17.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.38 steals. Expect Harrington’s agent, Andy Miller, to get his client a huge deal in the offseason.
“I’m getting better every year. I’m 25 so I haven’t reached the prime of my career yet,” Harrington said.
Said Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony: “He plays hard at all times. That’s what I like about him.”
Indiana traded Harrington to Atlanta on July 15, 2004, for guard Stephen Jackson. Word at the time was Harrington wanted out because he couldn’t break into the starting lineup over all-star forwards Jermaine O’Neal and Ron Artest. Harrington, however, begs to differ. And if he’s traded to a more competitive team, expect him to accept coming off the bench.
“I had no problems playing the sixth man,” Harrington said. “I never said I wanted to start. I never went to the coach’s office or to Isiah’s office when he was there and said I wanted to start. No one can ever say I said that.
“I had no problems playing sixth man. Especially when Ron and Jermaine were out of the game, I felt I was good enough to carry the team. I wanted more responsibilities like that, and (Pacers coach) Rick (Carlisle) didn’t want to do that.”
Hawks general manager Billy Knight wants to keep Harrington. But expect the Hawks to trade Harrington either before the trading deadline or in a sign-and-trade after the season so they don’t lose him without getting anything in return. Unless they can improve their roster dramatically, Harrington doesn’t figure to want to stay around.
“(Winning is) very important to me,” Harrington said. “I promise it is. I took winning for granted. It would take a lot for them to sign me back. Obviously, money, No. 1. No. 2, we just have to find a way to get some other players, some good veteran guys in here because I’ve got to start winning again.
“It’s the worst, losing all the time. Can’t sleep. Can’t eat. Your body feels terrible all the time. Winning is very important to me, which is the reason I’m going to go to free agency and just weigh my options.”
Footnotes
Expect University of Denver senior center Yemi Nicholson to hire Miller as an agent. Miller represents Chauncey Billups of Denver, and his brother, Rodney, a former DU guard who is playing in Latvia and is a close friend of Nicholson’s. … The Knicks, who recently scouted two Nuggets games, could have their eye on guard Earl Watson, who is eligible to be traded starting Dec. 15. … Former Bulls guard Jay Williams hopes to return to the league after improving his health and strength. He has not played since a June 19, 2003, motorcycle accident but is working out in Los Angeles. … Add Anthony to the list of Nuggets who gave during Thanksgiving. He made an emergency $2,500 donation to Bea Gaddy Family Centers, a Baltimore charity, just before the holiday to ensure the poor and underprivileged didn’t go hungry. The centers, which have served as many as 20,000 on past Thanksgivings, were running low on food this year. Anthony’s contribution helped the organization achieve its goals. … Raptors point guard Mike James, who will be a free agent next summer, has left agent Doug Neustadt and hired agent Tony Dutt. … Director Michael Bay,
whose credits include “Bad Boys,” “Bad Boys II,” “Pearl Harbor” and “The Rock,” directed the commercial for the instructional DVD of Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash called “NASH MVP Basketball.” In the commercial, which features no special editing, Nash dribbles a basketball like a soccer ball down the court, then kicks the ball into the hoop.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com. You can hear Spears talk about the NBA on Thursday mornings on “The Press Box” and with John Fricke at 4 P.M. on ESPN 560 AM.
Background: Orlando drafted Howard out of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy with the first pick in 2004. There was a debate among scouts whether the Magic should have selected Connecticut forward Emeka Okafor – taken second by Charlotte – but Howard had a strong rookie season, averaging a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds). Okafor was even better, earning rookie of the year honors. Howard enters Saturday’s game against Milwaukee averaging 14.5 points and 12.7 rebounds. He ranks second in the NBA in rebounds per game and third in double-doubles (11). Oh, yeah, he turns 20 this week. When asked if he was surprised by how well he’s playing, Howard said: “Yes and no. I am working hard, so I think the success I’ve had is a reward for the hard work. At the same time, I am so young, and I am thankful I have been able to do as well as I have.”
What’s up: Howard is a candidate for the all-star team as a reserve. Competition at forward includes Okafor, Cleveland’s LeBron James, Indiana’s Ron Artest and Jermaine O’Neal, Washington’s Antawn Jamison, New Jersey’s Richard Jefferson, Boston’s Paul Pierce, Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace and Philadelphia’s Chris Webber. “Oh, my gosh, I would probably cry,” Howard said about his reaction to an all-star spot.
What’s next: Howard has one more year as a teenager. Is it too late to enjoy being a teen when you’re in the NBA?
“I am definitely a teenager most of the time,” Howard said. “I go to the movies with masks on sometimes to scare people, Halloween masks. I just like to make people laugh, and it makes me feel good to see people smile. I will always have that kid side of me. Then when I am on the court, I have to be more of an adult and be more of a leader. I also have to act like an old man when I am dealing with the media. That is one of my nicknames, An Old Man.”
Spears’ take: Keep an eye on this kid. He’s a superstar in the making.
