China's Yi Jianlian TEE-an-LEE-an is a 7-foot forward, not a center and certainly not the point guard the Hawks badly need as they hope to escape last place and join the playoffs in 2008 for the first time in nine seasons.

The Hawks have the Nos. 3 and 11 picks. Because the draft is so open after Greg Oden and Kevin Durant in the first two picks, there will be much anticipation before Atlanta's first selection.

There also is much speculation the Hawks will trade one or both picks. The Hawks would not comment Wednesday on reports the team was considering trading both picks, center Zaza Pachulia and point guard Anthony Johnson for Phoenix Suns All-NBA center Amare Stoudamire.

Stoudamire, 24, averaged 20.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks for Phoenix, and if sent to Atlanta he would join former Suns teammate Joe Johnson to give the Hawks a potent inside-outside combination of 20-point scorers.

The Stoudamire move would be part of a three-team trade that would send Minnesota star Kevin Garnett to the Suns.

``I've seen that one,'' said Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche, who said ``I cannot confirm or deny it.''

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported the Seattle SuperSonics have offered point guard Luke Ridnour to the Hawks for the No. 11 pick. Ridnour, 26, averaged 11 points and 5.2 assists for the Sonics last season.

Any trade involving first-round draft picks cannot be announced until after the end of the round. If the Hawks trade one or more picks, they will make the selection on behalf of another team.

Most projections have Atlanta taking Florida power forward Al Horford or Ohio State point guard Mike Conley Jr., at No. 3.

If the Hawks select Horford at No. 3, they could draft a point guard possibly Acie Law of Texas A or hometown star Javaris Crittenton of Georgia Tech at No. 11.

But that plan could be scrapped if Knight who loves to talk about long, versatile players succumbs to the alluring potential of Yi, who scouts say runs and jumps well, has a nice midrange shot and might be a perfect fit for an up-tempo team.

Knight and Hawks coach Mike Woodson have created up-tempo potential when building around Johnson, forwards Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Shelden Williams, Pachulia and sixth man Josh Childress.

Knight passed on point guards Deron Williams and Chris Paul when making Marvin Williams the No. 2 pick in 2005. Paul was Rookie of the Year and Deron Williams proved to be the physical point guard the Hawks desire, while Marvin Williams has only been a part-time starter.

Knight again went for big forwards when drafting Shelden Williams and Solomon Jones last year.

The Hawks tried to fix their backcourt last year by signing free agent point guard Speedy Claxton to a four-year, $25.5 million deal. Claxton was an expensive bust, missing 36 games with a sore left knee.

The Hawks say Claxton will be stronger next season, and they still have Johnson and Tyronn Lue as backups.

Conley, who escaped the shadow of Ohio State center and likely No. 1 pick Greg Oden at the Final Four in Atlanta, might be an immediate starter in Atlanta. He'd also be a popular choice with many fans who want to see a highly rated point guard finally taken by the Hawks.

Knight doesn't like to tip his hand, but he all but promised the team would add a point guard on Thursday by draft or by trade.

``We think we are going to get a guard in this whole deal,'' Knight said. ``We are very fortunate to be in a position to have 3 and 11. We know we're going to get two good players, whether drafting or however else.''

Conley and Horford each worked out for the Hawks on Monday. Each felt he was competing with the other to be taken No. 3 barring a Jianlian surprise.

Conley said he'd be a good fit for the Hawks.

``I like the athleticism,'' Conley said, adding the Hawks' young mix ``is exactly what I want ... to be able to have guys who can finish, catch any pass and who likes to get up and down the floor.''

Added Conley: ``I can fit the system.''

Horford said he's ready to make an immediate impact.

``I'm a player who can step in,'' Horford said, adding ``I fit in well with this team.''

The Hawks had Horford's teammate, Joakim Noah, in for an audition on Friday and have seen Jianlian work out.

Knight said Horford boasts ``a lot of assets that we are looking for.'' Woodson said Conley ``probably is the only true point guard'' in the draft.

Added Knight: ``But in all honesty, we thought Noah had a really good workout. The Chinese kid was impressive.''

Thursday night's decisions could be crucial for the job security of Woodson and Knight, following seasons with 13, 26 and 30 wins.

``I don't have a lot of time to be waiting,'' Woodson said. ``We are entertaining all options in terms of maybe trading a pick or bringing in a veteran player.''

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)