Turner Broadcasting System has dropped its appeal of a judge's order that required the company to pay a Texas businessman $281 million over the sale of the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers.

David McDavid accused TBS of cheating him out of buying the two teams in 2003.

Turner spokeswoman Misty Skedgell said "in the interest of bringing this seven-year-long matter to a conclusion, we have chosen to resolve it through a settlement."

The Hawks would prefer that Al Horford doesn't hit the free agent market next summer.

Horford can become a restricted free agent after the 2010-11 season.

"The Hawks would prefer he not test the market because they know full well he'd be coveted from sea to shining sea," wrote the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The issue is that Jamal Crawford is looking for a contract extension and there have been reports that he'll request a trade if he doesn't receive one.

It was reported on HoopsHype.com over the weekend that the Hawks were close to signing veteran big man Etan Thomas.

Atlanta assistant general manager Dave Pendergraft confirmed the team had Thomas in for a workout but said Thomas is one of a handful of free agents the Hawks are considering.

"He's on a very, very short list," Pendergraft said. "We were pleased with the workout."

Pendergraft declined to comment on the other candidates for Atlanta's 13th roster spot.

The agent for Jamal Crawford, Aaron Goodwin, is set to meet with Atlanta general manager Rick Sund this week to discuss a contract extension, according to sources.

Crawford is entering the final year of his contract and there have been reports that he'll request a trade if he's not given a long-term deal.

He is the only player among Atlanta's core that isn't signed for the next few years.

It's still possible that rookie forward Pape Sy will join the Hawks for the 2010-11 season.

Atlanta drafted Sy in the second round of June's NBA Draft.

Sy is set to report to camp for French club Le Havre, but the Hawks are still talking to Le Havre about a buyout of the final year of Sy's contract.

The Hawks are close to signing free-agent big man Etan Thomas to a one-year contract, according to a source.

Atlanta has been looking for a veteran big man for quite some time.

If Hawks sixth man Jamal Crawford asks for a trade this week, Atlanta shouldn't have much difficulty finding a new home for the veteran.

Crawford is entering the final year of his contract and wants an extension.

He will make $10.1 million in 2010-11 and provide salary cap relief after the season for a potential new team.

Frustrated the Hawks have not offered him a contract extension, Jamal Crawford will ask the club to trade him, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Crawford, who is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10M this season, approached the Hawks the first week of July about an extension. Hawks GM Rick Sund has not made Crawford an offer, a source with the organization told ESPN.

The sides are scheduled to meet next week and if the Hawks do not make Crawford an offer he considers reasonable, he will ask to be traded.

Still in the market for an additional big man, the Hawks lost an option on Monday when Kwame Brown agreed to a one-year deal with the Bobcats.

Atlanta is known to have some interest in Francisco Elson, Brian Skinner and Josh Boone, but nothing appears imminent.

The Hawks had interest in Brown, but he opted to go to Charlotte for the same amount of money Atlanta could have given him.

Hawks coach Larry Drew is bringing a motion offensive system to the team this season.

In order to thrive in Drew's system players are going to have to be in very good physical condition.

Drew said conditioning would a "top priority" when training camp opens on Sept. 28.

The new coach hopes to develop a different offensive identity for the Hawks, from sometimes stagnant and predictable to dynamic and versatile.

"It's very difficult to guard," assistant coach Larry Conner said. "You have to be precise in your defensive schemes. You can be beat at any spot on the floor at any time. NBA teams don't like to guard a lot of movement and screens.

"I've heard the guys [Hawks players] are all for it and are excited about it."