ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks signed Leon Smith, the troubled first-round draft pick who has yet to play an NBA game after making the jump from high school in 1999.
The 21-year-old Smith signed a 10-day contract Monday. The injury-plagued Hawks have a three-game losing streak and the third-worst record (13-23) in the Eastern Conference.
``We don't have any lofty expectations,'' general manager Pete Babcock said. ``We're intrigued with his talent.''
Smith will make his return to the NBA on Tuesday night against the Dallas Mavericks, the team that traded for him in 1999 shortly after he was picked 29th overall by San Antonio.
Smith, who attempted suicide and was arrested twice during his stint with the Mavericks, has been trying to revive his career in the Continental Basketball Association.
``He's coming along in terms of the maturity aspect and dealing with some of his issues,'' Babcock said. ``We think it's relatively low risk. It's just a 10-day contract. It's not the rest of the season.''
The GM admitted that he doesn't know if Smith has overcome his mental problems or is capable of playing in the NBA. The Hawks didn't make any guarantees about playing time.
``We're curious to see where he is,'' Babcock said. ``The only thing I can say is he's sending a message that he's getting things under control. But I don't know the answer and wouldn't pretend to know his situation.''
Smith, raised in a series of group and foster homes, never played a game for the Mavericks after attempting to make the jump from Martin Luther King High School in Chicago.
His problems began when he refused Dallas' request to play in a developmental league or go overseas to ease his transition to the NBA. Instead, he worked out away from his teammates and signed a $1.45 million contract the day the 1999-00 season began.
Within two weeks, Smith attempted suicide by swallowing more than 200 aspirin. He said he was distraught over breaking up with a girlfriend.
After the suicide attempt, Smith spent several destructive days in Chicago, where he was arrested twice within 24 hours. He was later sentenced to 18 months of probation for damaging a car owned by his former girlfriend's mother.
Smith was in and out of psychiatric care before the Mavericks released him on Feb. 4, 2000.
The following season, he signed with the St. Louis Swarm of the International Basketball League but lasted only three games.
``It didn't work out,'' coach Bernie Bickerstaff said at the time. ``He's a nice young man with a lot of skill and we wish him well. But at some point, you have to be willing to take responsibility for yourself.''
Smith was averaging 18 points and a league-high 15.3 rebounds with the CBA's Gary (Ind.) Steelheads. He played 19 games with the Steelheads after a four-game stint with the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce.
Smith led the CBA with 18 double-doubles, including a 24-point, 24-rebound effort against the Dakota Wizards on Dec. 11.
The Hawks took on another troubled player in 1999 and paid a terrible price. Isaiah Rider didn't even last a season with the Hawks, who released him after he repeatedly showed up late for practices and games.
``These are totally different situations,'' Babcock said. ``With (Rider), we were talking about a player with a large contract that had a full year to run.''
The Hawks were willing to take a chance on Smith because of a rash of injuries. Forwards Toni Kukoc, Chris Crawford and Alan Henderson are on the injured list, guard Emanual Davis is out 6-to-8 weeks with a broken wrist and center Theo Ratliff is still recovering from a hip ailment that has kept him out most of the season.
Smith worked out with the Hawks on Monday and team spokesman Arthur Triche said he would be available for comment at Tuesday morning's shootaround.
``The first day was a positive one,'' Babcock said. ``We'll see how tomorrow is. ... He's a nice guy. He wants to do well. It's just a matter of whether he can control his emotions and make it all work at this level. We'll do everything we can to help him with that.''
Wednesday
February 12th, 2025
12:53AM
