The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Humphries wanted to stick with a winner
Kris Humphries will be back in a Hawks uniform next season. The late-season addition signed a oneyear, $4 million deal to return.
In an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Humphries spoke about a variety of subjects including his free-agency process, the difference in the team with the addition of Dwight Howard and loss of Al Horford and what he expects from Dennis Schroder.
The following are excerpts from the interview: Q. What’s it like to be back with the Hawks? I know before you left for the summer you said you wanted to come back. A. It’s exciting. I think that we have a chance to improve upon what we did last year. The team is a little different with Dwight (Howard) versus (Al) Horford, but there are a few things we’ll miss from Al and a few things that Dwight brings. He’s one of four or five guys in the NBA with what he does in terms of rim protection and things like that. I’m excited to be back. We’ve got Dennis (Schroder) running the show and I think he’s wanted it. I can’t wait to see how he comes out to start the year. Q. Can you take me through the free-agency process? Were there other teams interested or did you just wait to see how things unfolded with the Hawks? A. It was some wait and see. Obviously, other teams were interested. But for me, I wasn’t going to play on a team that wasn’t a playoff team with a shot to win. Q. Did Hawks management — (GM) Wes (Wilcox) and (Coach Mike Budenholzer) — let you know that they wanted you back? A. Yes. I talked to Bud a week, week and a half before I signed. It gets tricky. There are a lot of moving parts. As a player, you have to avoid getting caught up in that. For me, it’s about winning. It’s a situation where I’m glad to be back. They told me during the process that they wanted me back. I think it worked out for everyone. Q. Why the one-year deal? A. I feel great. My body feels great. Everything feels great. I think the one year was the kind of situation where it worked out for both sides. Sometimes things are like ‘OK, let’s just do this for a year and we’ll see.’ It wasn’t like there was a lot of thought that went into it. I’ve played on short-term deals in the past. I never have a problem with playing and earning my money every year. Q. What do you see your role as considering the changes made to the roster with a stretch-5 like Horford gone and replaced by a more traditional center in Howard? A. It’s hard to tell. I’m going to continue to do the things I did last year. Whatever role I’m in, I’m ready to be the best I can be.