Hawks to Acquire Jamal Crawford

[Goodfellas]

The Golden State Warriors (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/teams/warriors) are on the verge of dealing guard Jamal Crawford (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3407) to Atlanta for point guards Acie Law (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4289) and Speedy Claxton (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3419), an NBA source confirmed to SI.com. An official announcement could come later Wednesday.

Crawford has been on the trading block for months after Warriors coach Don Nelson made it clear that the prolific scorer was not in the team's long term plans. A combo guard, Crawford could play both backcourt positions for the Hawks, who must decide whether to offer incumbent free agent point guard Mike Bibby (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3245) a long-term contract.

Golden State had reportedly been targeting point guards and power forwards in the days leading up to Thursday's draft. With Law and Claxton on board, the Warriors have the flexibility to set their sights on a frontcourt player like Arizona's Jordan Hill, who could play both center and power forward in Nelson's up-tempo offense.

[Goodfellas]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Julius Peppers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5888)' long stalemate with the Carolina Panthers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/panthers) is over.

The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end signed his one-year, $16.7 million tender under the franchise tag Wednesday, ending the chances that Peppers could hold out at the start of training camp.

Peppers said at the end of last season that he wanted to play elsewhere and pleaded with Carolina to allow him to become a free agent. The Panthers still placed the franchise tag on him, limiting his movement.

Peppers refused to attend offseason minicamps and optional workouts, and there were concerns he wouldn't show up for training camp. But by signing the deal, the Panthers are likely assured of his attendance when players report Aug. 2.

"Julius is more than satisfied with the outcome and is looking forward instead of backward," Peppers' agent, Carl Carey said. "He is motivated. He's prepared and he's ready to play football."

Carey said the Panthers made no promise that they won't place the franchise tag on him again next season. General manager Marty Hurney said signing the tender does not mean they'll now try to trade Peppers.

On top of the $16.7 million in guaranteed money, Peppers could earn another $1.5 million if he makes the Pro Bowl and up to $1 million based on playoff bonuses, giving him one of the highest single-year contracts in NFL history.

Peppers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft, had a career-high 141/2 sacks last season. After missing all offseason workouts, he'll have to catch up on new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks' system.

"We have had very good communication with Carl throughout the process and all the indications were that Julius was going top sign in time to be in for training camp," Hurney said. "That's what happened today. Obviously we're very excited and I think Julius is excited."