Hawks Training Camp 2012: Danny Ferry on team building, Hawks' blueprint

Hawks general manager Danny Ferry met with the media on Tuesday just days before his team is set to open training camp for the upcoming season. During the session there was much talk about the upcoming free agent status of Josh Smith but Ferry was quick to point out that a big score in free agency is only part of building a championship caliber team.

"Going forward there are several roadmaps we can take and there's three ways to get players," Ferry said. "Strong drafts, free agency and trades. I think in all of those areas we're in a good position going forward to put ourselves in a situation where we can be good for a long time as well as win the NBA championship. That's certainly my focus."

Ferry certainly cleared the deck in terms of the team's financial situation beyond the 2012-13 season. The trades of Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams have left the Hawks with just $18.5 million in guaranteed salary for next season. That gives them the flexibility to be very aggressive in free agency next season. That combined with a new approach regarding the draft and player development will give Ferry the ability to remake the club in his own vision and could put them on the fast track for success.

This story was originally published at SB Nation Atlanta.