The Atlanta Hawks reportedly will sign free agent point guard Mike Bibby on a three-year contract.

Bibby, a veteran of 11 years in the NBA, will stay in Atlanta on a deal worth an estimated 18 million U.S. dollars, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The NBA's free-agent market opened six days ago, although players cannot officially sign with new teams until Wednesday.

Bibby, who moved to Atlanta from the Sacramento Kings in a multi-player trade in February 2008, has helped the Hawks reach the playoffs for the last two years.

He averaged 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game last season.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2009)