Etan Thomas signed with the Atlanta Hawks in September and was used sparingly throughout the season appearing in just 13 regular season games and one playoff contest. Thomas spent a large portion of the season in a suit and was primarily used as the emergency big man when the Hawks faced a team with a quality center. 

Thomas finished the season with averages of 2.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. He had open heart surgery that cost him the entire 2007-08 season and since then has appeared in 62 games over the next three seasons each with a different club. At 32 years of age, he perhaps brings more in the leadership department than he does to the floor. Thomas signed a one year deal with the Hawks for slightly more than $850,000. He will be a free agent next season. 

When Atlanta signed Thomas, I actually thought there was a chance that he would play a lot more than he actually did. It became apparent quickly that he was going to be nothing more than a fourth or fifth big man on this roster and his presence there probably had a lot to do with his time spent with Larry Drew in Washington. 

Thomas would seem to be a long shot as an option for the roster in 2011-12 but stranger things have happened. If Atlanta is looking for a presence in the locker room to round out the roster, then they may once again look Thomas' way.

Full Hawks Roster

PG Jeff Teague
SG Joe Johnson
SF Josh Smith
PF Al Horford
C Jason Collins

Bench

Jamal Crawford
Zaza Pachulia
Kirk Hinrich
Marvin Williams
Damien Wilkins
Josh Powell
Pape Sy
Etan Thomas
Hilton Armstrong 
Magnum Rolle