Woodson and Hawks expect reinforcements to land soon

ATLANTA - New Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson hopes to have some veteran help for his young team soon, but he wasn't complaining Monday after his first practice with the team's rookies. The Hawks had only five players before last month's NBA Draft, but the roster should soon expand.

The team is expected to announce a sign-and-trade deal Wednesday that sends guard Stephen Jackson to the Indiana Pacers for forward Al Harrington. Also, Atlanta has made a reported six-year, $85 million contract offer to forward Kenyon Martin of the New Jersey Nets.

The Nets have the right to wait 15 days before matching any offer to Martin, a restricted free agent. The Denver Nuggets also have interest in Martin.

Meanwhile, Woodson's focus is on the rookies, second-year players and other hopefuls who had their first practice Monday morning for the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league that begins Friday in Salt Lake City. Woodson will coach Atlanta's team in the eight-day league.

Knight announced after practice that he had signed the team's two first-round picks - guard Josh Childress and forward Josh Smith. While final details were worked out, Childress watched most of Monday morning's practice.

Childress, the sixth pick in the draft, was cleared to join Smith and the team's other 2004 draft picks - guards Donta Smith and Royal Ivey - in Monday night's practice.

Woodson said he didn't mind giving detailed explanations before each drill Monday on the team's practice court at Philips Arena.

"It's great," Woodson said. "This is what I like to do. I like to teach."

Based on the lack of returning veterans on the roster, even the undrafted rookies may have a chance to win a roster spot.

"We've got a lot of spots available," Woodson said. "... They know there's a great opportunity for them here."

Harrington was one of the NBA's top sixth men last season, but he wanted a starting job and has been told he again would come off the Indiana bench next season. Harrington has two years and $13.3 million left on his contract with the Pacers.

Harrington (6-9, 250) is a six-year veteran who can play both forward positions. He scored a career-high 40 points against Atlanta on Dec. 23, 2002 and averaged 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds last season.

"He killed us," said Knight of the 2002 game. "He's a tough matchup."

Knight wouldn't comment on the trade talks with the Pacers, but expects to have news to report Wednesday, the first day players can sign.

Knight said he has re-signed center Jason Collier, who averaged 11.3 points with Atlanta late last season. Collier joins Hansen, Jason Terry and Boris Diaw and forwards Alan Henderson and Chris Crawford as returning players.

file/associated pressNew Atlanta coach Mike Woodson (center) talks with Donta Smith (left) and Josh Childress after a news conference last week in Atlanta. He was the top assistant for Detroit Pistons last year.