Hawks sign Bucks' center to offer sheet

ATLANTA - While the Atlanta Hawks remain on hold in their attempt to trade for guard Joe Johnson, the team announced Wednesday it has signed center Zaza Pachulia of the Milwaukee Bucks to an offer sheet.

Pachulia, 21, is a restricted free agent, and the Bucks have seven days to match the offer, believed to be worth $4 million per year for four years.

Pachulia, a two-year veteran, averaged 6.2 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Bucks as a backup last season. He spent his 2003-04 rookie season with Orlando, where he played only 11 minutes per game, averaging 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds. He was drafted by the Magic in the second round in 2003.

After his rookie season, Pachulia was selected by Charlotte in the 2004 expansion draft and then was acquired by the Bucks for a 2004 second-round draft choice.

Barring other trades or free-agent signings by the Hawks, the 6-foot-11, 240-pound Pachulia likely would be expected to start immediately in Atlanta. The only center on the Hawks' roster is Jason Collier.

The team released centers Obinna Ekezie, who started 31 games last season, and Peja Drobjnak, who was a top backup.

Pachulia, 21, is a native of the Republic of Georgia.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday the Hawks and Phoenix Suns were awaiting the resolution of a "procedural issue" that was holding up a sign-and-trade deal to send Johnson to the Hawks.

In a statement released Tuesday, Hawks general manager Billy Knight said the deal had not been finalized.

"At this time, there is a procedural issue regarding the reported deal with Atlanta and Phoenix that needs to be resolved," Knight said in a statement released by the team. "That's all I can say at this time."

The Hawks would send Phoenix two first-round picks, second-year guard Boris Diaw and a $4.9 million trade exception for the 6-foot-8 Johnson.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday one of the Hawks owners, Steve Belkin, had not given Knight his approval of the trade.

Belkin is the team's NBA governor, and the NBA requires the governor's endorsement on a deal before it can go through.

A Hawks spokesman said Knight was not available for comment Wednesday.

Suns president Bryan Colangelo declined comment on the deal "until our business is complete."

The 24-year-old Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists with the Suns last season. He first must sign a five-year, $69.6 million contract with Phoenix that would include a 2005-06 salary of about $20 million. He would become the Hawks' highest-paid player.

Diaw, also a 6-8 guard, averaged only 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds last season.

The Hawks are coming off a league-worst 13-69 season, the poorest record in franchise history.