Hawks to Sign PF Pero Antic

The Hawks needed frontcourt depth in the absence of Zaza Pachulia, and it appears that they’ve found it from a very unlikely source. Various reports have surfaced that the Hawks and former Olympiacos forward/center Pero Antic have agreed on a contract to provide that depth.

While details of the deal are still a bit fuzzy, all indications are that it is for two years, and that the 6’11 Antic will be coming over right away. He is a 14-year veteran of professional basketball overseas, and he’s played the last two years for the very well-known club of Olympiacos.

Antic only averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in limited minutes last season, but he will reportedly bring a new level of toughness. At 6-foot-11, he’s played some center in his career, and with Elton Brand in the fold, this is probably the last frontcourt move for the Hawks unless they decide to jettison both Lucas Nogueira and Mike Muscala to Europe (which is possible) before the start of the season.

Amid widespread reports that the Hawks are courting Greg Oden, the timing is a bit odd for this move. It is unclear whether the proposed Oden meeting will still take place, but I would assume that Antic’s pure salary cap ramifications wouldn’t stop the Hawks from pursuing the former Ohio State and Portland center.

Candidly, the Hawks community hasn’t seen much of Antic, but in the limited video/references we’ve encountered, he seems like a bruiser who would provide end-of-bench toughness and rebounding. Oh, and he’s apparently in possession of a “mean mug” face that will rival even Ivan Johnson.

This should be fun.