The 21-28 Atlanta Hawks acquired Mike Bibby yesterday. Bibby’s averaging 13 points per game with 5 assists this season. The move should provide protection for shooting guard Joe Johnson, who won’t be regarded as the Hawks’ only backcourt shooting threat.

In exchange for Bibby, the Hawks sent the Kings starting point guard Anthony Johnson, 2007 first-round pick Shelden Williams, backup point guard Tyronn Lue, veteran forward Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second-round pick to the Kings. The veteran Johnson’s performance this year with the Hawks wasn’t up to expectations, he averaged just 6.4 points per game with 4.7 assists.

“I want to thank Mike for his terrific all-around play,” Kings president Geoff Petrie said in a statement. “He’s had a great run here as a King and has participated in and contributed to some great moments on the court and I wish him all the best.”

Bibby had spent the last 7 seasons in the Kings organization, the Hawks will be his 3rd career team.

“I had some good times here in Sacramento,” Bibby told the Sacramento Bee. “Sometimes you need a change and you never know where that might take you.

“I just prayed and asked for what might be the best for my family and this is what happened, so you can’t question it.”