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The Atlanta Hawks continue to mine the buyout market while the March 1 deadline for playoff eligibility continues to draw closer. Atlanta struck out on luring Anderson Varejao to Atlanta who opted to sign with the Golden State Warriors. They also failed to land former Hawks great Joe Johnson who ended up signing in Miami. Now it appears that Atlanta is the favorites to land power forward Kris Humphries if he is able to secure a buyout from the Phoenix Suns.
Sources: Kris Humphries and the Phoenix Suns are in advanced talks on a buyout agreement. The Atlanta Hawks are the favorites to land him.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 28, 2016
Humphries began the season with Washington where he averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 28 games. The Wizards sent him to Phoenix at the deadline along with DeJuan Blair and a first-round pick for disgruntled forward Markieff Morris. Humphries is averaging 7.3 points and 8.0 rebounds in four games with the Suns.
Atlanta opened a roster spot at the trade deadline by completing a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. The Hawks dealt Shelvin Mack to the Jazz and Justin Holiday to the Bulls while getting back veteran guard Kirk Hinrich.
While the Hawks tried to bring back Johnson, the case can be made that their biggest need is in the frontcourt. reserve center Tiago Splitter is out for the season after hip surgery which leaves Atlanta with three center options in Al Horford, Mike Muscala and rookie Walter Tavares.
UPDATE
Humphries has secured his buyout from the Suns according to a report by ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
Sources say that the Suns have also officially waived Kris Humphries, who according to @MikeAScotto is Atlanta-bound when he clears waives
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 28, 2016