Buyer beware!
The Hawks gambled on and won big on Joe Johnson. The Hornets ... not so much with their acquisition of Peja Stojakovic. It's buyer beware during NBA free agency.
HAWKSVILLE - Don’t we get this feeling around this time every summer?
While the rest of the NBA seems to move at a breakneck pace in the summer, things here in Hawksville seem to move in that Matrix-styled slow motion, the one where is dancing on the rooftop avoiding those bullets from the agents.
It’s always bothered me in the past. But not so much now.
Not with teams (Portland) being made a fool of in their pursuit of players that may or may not push them to the next level. Toronto’s pending acquisition of Hedo Turkoglu certainly looks like a playoff-making move for a franchise that (even with Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon last year) couldn’t muster more than 33 wins. The Raptors finished third to last in the Eastern Conference, meaning Turkoglu’s addition alone (they don’t have any more free agent cash to do anything else) will have to account for their summer stimulus plan.
Maybe it works. Maybe it doesn’t.
But when I think about all the deals that get done in these desperate summers (the ones where there aren’t a bunch of teams flush with cash and the free agent market is generally considered thin, by historical standards) and I cringe at some of the disastrous purchases that have been made.
Remember when Chicago thought they were snatching the championship momentum from Detroit a couple years ago by stealing Ben Wallace away for $64 million? Or how about the Hornets righting their champion-’ship stock with Peja Stojakovic with a similarly bloated contract?
And we don’t even have to travel back that far. Just look at last summer, when Philadelphia thought it was remaking itself into a title contender with the acquisition of Elton Brand (who, his his defense, had his season cut short by a severe injury). I point these instances out to illustrate just how cautious a team needs to be when dipping its toes into the murky free agent waters.
That said, I’d love for the Hawks to get all their business done now and make a sizable splash while doing so. I just don’t see it happening. They are close to terms with Mike Bibby, per my sources (and that report out of Philadelphia that suggested the deal was done was not only highly speculative but also way premature – a text message from someone with knowledge of the negotiations poked fun at the report thusly, “so the deal is done, huh? That’s news to all of us still trying to sort it all out.”) on a deal that solidifies the backcourt. Beyond that, the Hawks have negotiations to tend to with all of their own free agents (Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams first and foremost) as well as deciding how to proceed with Josh Childress, whose NBA status will have to be decided in the next 10 days.
That’s where things get a bit tricky for the Hawks, who in my estimation have to two extremely important factors weighing in their favor.
First, they don’t have cap money burning a hole in their pocket right now. When teams do, there’s a rush to spend without taking into account the flip side that things could go terribly wrong if you don’t spend wisely (the Chicago-Ben Wallace deal seems like a prime example, but I’d dial it back to the Eddy Curry-Knicks summer as well, you’ll remember that’s the summer the Hawks hosted Curry and tried to entice him. Good thing they lost out on that one, huh?).
Also working in the Hawks’ favor is that they’re not a team desperate to crawl out of a lottery hole (though I’m sure you remember the feeling). When the Hawks acquired Joe Johnson four years ago, they were flush with cap space and that summer’s free agent crop was considered thick. They eye-balled Ray Allen first and missed out, but wound up landing the right player at just the right time to help in their transformation from doormat to eventual playoff team. Like I said earlier, maybe it works. Maybe it doesn’t.
When you’re coming off back-to-back playoff seasons, the need for prudence in all matters can’t be stressed enough. One false move (or non-move in the Hawks’ case this summer) can set you back. Sometimes it can send you back as well, all the way back to Jersey for the lottery ceremony.
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609 comments Add your comment
jhan
July 5th, 2009
3:17 pm
Sekou – finally a voice of reason someone might listen to.
$5.5M – $6.5M is probably the going rate for Bibby. If Sund can make that happen I don’t have a problem. Like I said earlier, if Teague develops quickly then Bibby’s contract is reasonable & even more important – tradeable. You know some team that loses their starting PG to injury would absolutely take a shot with Bibby at $6M/year.
Ernest
July 5th, 2009
3:31 pm
Great post @ 2:33, Sekou! It is fairly obvious that ’some’ of the bloggers don’t understand the ‘business’ side to basketball. Just because Rick Sund isn’t making public statements regarding what he is doing or who he is speaking to, it does not mean conversations are not going on. I’m sure he is constantly checking on the availability of certain players and listening to other teams inquire about his. ASG does not have an unlimited amount of money to spend and what they do spend should be done wisely. How a player ‘fits’ with the current core and coaching system is as important as the skills a player would bring to the team.
I see free agency like a chess match, you are always looking at several moves ahead, for both you team and all the others. They have a pretty good core that needs some tweaking. I’ll never forget back in the 80’s when the Hawks brought in Moses Malone and Reggie Theus for Tree Rollins and Randy Wittman. Everyone thought they were the ‘missing pieces’ however we found out they were not a good fit for the team. Chemistry is often overlooked as a key ingredient when assembling a team. The moves made by Sund last year resulted in a 10 win increase. As with many fans are doing with TD of the Falcons, Sund deserves some props for both the personnel moves he made and did not make over the season.
ILL-logical
July 5th, 2009
3:36 pm
Glad that SS finally cleared the air about the content of some of the posts on his blog. Maybe there will be some improvement in the quality of the remarks?
The greatest intangible asset that the Hawks have going forward is chemistry. The core group has played together for a couple of seasons and are generally compfortable playing together. any line up changes-and there is going tohave to be one if ZaZa resigns here- will be minimal compared to what some of the contending clubs face. I believe that this could be a deciding factor down the stretch outside of key injuries.
Volman
July 5th, 2009
3:37 pm
Mr. Smith, THANK YOU SO MUCH for that last post. I can see the frustration in your words. It’s aggravating the way that some people think on here…Bring in Amare…Bring in Bosh (I’ve seen on here to play CENTER—are you kidding me?) This team won 47 games last year and made it to the conference semis. I feel like this team is moving forward, but need to add those pieces to the bench to give a LOT more depth.
Again, I hope we all can critique the moves AFTER free agency has ended…but I guess we all need to put our “GM For the Day” hats on and have fun.
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
3:45 pm
jhan,
The going rate for a guy like Bibby is WAY more than $5.5-6.5M. That’s the upper edge of what journeyman backup PGs like Mike James make. The going rate for a veteran starting PG is closer to $7.5M or $8M. Check the salaries around the league if you balk at that – teams pay more for quality PGs and “true centers” than they do for quality at any other position.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
3:45 pm
Like TB said since when have bibby been a point guard ,i dont no but i do no this your point guard penetrate and create easy basket for your bigs and we didnt see that from bibby, we had one in acie but thats another story on down the road.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
3:47 pm
Darrell,
Come on dude…there is more than one mold for a starting PG. You really want to argue that Bibby is not a true PG? Walk into a room with NBA coaches, say that, and watch yourself get laughed out of the room.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
3:52 pm
Like i said the eastern conf. was a water down conference last year with all of the teams injuries but this year will be a different story, the hawks better upgrade or its going to be a long season.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
3:57 pm
nire what mean come on dude give me your starting five an bench player for the hawks lets see what you working with since you no basketball.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
3:58 pm
Darrell,
That was not even a coherent thought. Form a complete sentence.
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
4:00 pm
And I’m not just trying to be a jerk…I seriously did not understand what the hell you were saying.
UGA
July 5th, 2009
4:02 pm
Bibby is the best point we’ve had here since Mookie and he’s more of a true point than you might think.
Blast
July 5th, 2009
4:04 pm
Phew! Thank you, Sekou. I was getting ready to duck out of the blog. Just couldn’t believe the low level of talk going on. Besides, all the talk was old topic that had been thrashed to death on this blog.
So far, there is no guarantee that any of the big trades are going to work. Shaq/Cavs, Hedo/Toronto, Carter/Orlando (that might work) so it’s kind of early to assume those teams immediately improve. And Hawks did make a splash. They picked up Crawford, didn’t they? That could turn out to be the biggest pick up so far. I’m getting that feeling.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
4:10 pm
OH nire now your a school teacher man dont come with this incorrect sentence and stuff tell me your starting five and your bench player since you no basketball.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Wabe
July 5th, 2009
4:17 pm
Common now Big Ray, tennis is entertaining…
Tennis > Baseball
But back to Bibby,
No Comment.
Well one comment, I’m not thrilled – but I’m not disappointed. That’ll be determined by what he does on the court this season..
Hoops
July 5th, 2009
4:17 pm
As many people on here have already mentioned on this blog, Bibby plays more SG for Mike Woodson and JJ plays the PG position most of the time. I guess you could say in Woodson’s offense, we have two combo guards. They are interchangeable. That’s how Woodson likes to play. That’s really not a bad plan, I just believe that both guards have to be able to shoot the three (which they can), but also have to be able to drive to be able to set up other players in a offense with two combo guards. This is Bibby’s weakness. I like Bibby as a SG, but not as a point. If you are weak @ penitrating, then you better have a strong post game. We don’t. The question that I keep running through my mind is this:
Would the Hawks be better with JJ and Crawford on the court or JJ and Bibby? None of us know this answer of course because we just traded for Crawford and have not seen him play with JJ. I am concerned about defense with Bibby and JJ just like most of you are. Will our defense be any better with Crawford and JJ? I hope so, but who knows. I just can’t believe we have signed a combo guard for over 9M to not be a starter! But, if we sign Bibby, that’s going to be the case.
I don’t think we will be any better than a #4 seed in the East with the same starting lineup as this year. I agree that we must improve our bench, but Woodson does not use the bench for a lot of minutes with the exception of Zaza and Flip. That’s another reason that we must improve the bench so he has to play them more. Our starters were wore out by the time we got to the playoffs this year. A better bench, if used during the regular season, would keep the starters fresh for the playoffs. Then you can shorten your bench if necessary @ playoff time.
I guess, what I am saying is that I would not re-sign Bibby and go after Sessions. I know that’s a big gamble. I guess that if I were coaching this team and I knew the chemistry better, I might feel different about Bibby.
I think the interesting part of developing this team for next year is going to be what we end up doing with the re-signs and the PF & C positions. What Chills decides to do will also determine a lot of other decisions as well. If Chills goes back to Europe, then we must re-sign Zaza. The recent signing of other bigs will help us afford him. I believe that Andersen will be traded since he will take up part of our MLE. I could see us trading some combination of Evans, Andersen, and Morris for another big to a team that needs some salary relief. Maybe that’s how we get Varejao, Millsaps, or Fry.
I have said many times that if the Hawks are going to make a serious run, they will have to trade either Marvin or Josh. They are quality players that can help the Hawks get a huge upgrade @ PF or C.
July 8th will start to bring some answers, as well as July 15th!
Blast
July 5th, 2009
4:19 pm
To add to Jhan’s comments about what Bibby brings to the table. (Notice DS did not comment on the response.)
I dare say Bibby is a better defender than we credit him for. Of all Hawks players, Bibby is best at reading passing lanes and picking up steals. Bibby is great at drawing fouls. Just watch the games. Bibby frustrates other players because he is very smart at getting them to bite on his antics. Also, how many times have we seen Bibby steal the ball off an unsuspecting player taking the pass and looking to start the break? Getting steals, taking charges, they are all part of playing defence, people.
And to blame Hawks playoff loses to Boston and Cleveland on Bibby is just plainly insane. The second round sweep, fault belongs to the entire Hawks team and coaching staff. It seemed like their goal was to win a playoff series. So after they knocked off Miami and got to the semis, it was like, ok, where do we go from here? We planned to get here, now we are here, what do we do? The whole team was shellshocked vs the Cavs. Only Josh played great. Hawks were all too busy watching LeBron demolish them. I knew we would not win that series, but I certainly didn’t expect Hawks to get kicked around like a football.
Wabe
July 5th, 2009
4:19 pm
I apologize in advance if this sounds like a stupid question,
but was that 22 million dollar figure that was being thrown around yesterday accurate? no right? i mean if they haven’t even come to terms yet money figures can’t be accurate yet – can they?
UGA
July 5th, 2009
4:21 pm
From earlier, Teague should be given the opp. to back-up. However, he is a rookie and if we cannot sign Flip we might need another veteran PG on the roster.
JMar
July 5th, 2009
4:24 pm
Glad we apparently have no intention of playing defense next year.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
4:28 pm
All im saying is that us true hawks fan wants be on top and establish a winning organization that has been so badly decompose thru out the years, and in order for you to go 2 the next level sometime you have to step out of the box and do something different, and i feel this is the perfect opportunity for the hawks to do that in order for us to achieve that goal and that is to bring home a nba title.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
D-Bo
July 5th, 2009
4:31 pm
Jamal Crawford didn’t play a lick of defense for Golden State but ya know, that’s just how they did things over there. I get the feeling he wants to win and he’ll do what it takes. Woody is a defense minded coach and I think he’ll be decent on defense for us, at least better than he was for GS.
niremetal
July 5th, 2009
4:33 pm
Darrell,
I see our starting 5 as the same as last year’s, with Jamal providing a huge upgrade off the bench. Considering that we had one of the 3 youngest playoff squads last year, I’d say that bodes well. Bring in an extra guy to add to the frontcourt rotation, and I think we win 50 games.
PS – It doesn’t get mentioned nearly enough around here, but Bibby has one skill that people rarely give him credit for – he is great at using his body on both ends of the floor. He led this team in drawing charges last year, I’m sure, although there’s no stat line for that. He also is the best PG in the league at setting screens, and has been ever since Stockton retired. In the modern 1-on-1 focused league, having a backcourt player who can set tough screens is a big (and easily overlooked) asset.
Ariose
July 5th, 2009
4:38 pm
Ray,like Sekou, Tennis is the family sport(don’t know why). I think I got my basketball Jones from my mothers side of the family.
Was decent at if for a while, but found my way onto the hardwood. Got a couple D-1 tennis cousins though.
…..wait, wait, wait SO YOU JUST MISSSED ALL OF THAT AWESOME/EPIC MATHCH??? Beats caniblogging any day for sure.
Somebody wake me up on july 8th lol….
Blast
July 5th, 2009
4:43 pm
Bibby sets beautiful screens, on big men!
Anakin Joe
July 5th, 2009
4:50 pm
We won 47 games? When? How come no one told some of these bloggers?
By re-signing Bibby, it gives us all of our MLE to go out and sign 1-2 veteran bigs. I think the decision comes down to would you rather have Bibby and someone like Chris Wilcox on the bench or would you rather have Jarrett Jack and someone like Robert Swift on he bench. Or the third option is to start Jamal at PG (and get a Wilcox-type). Personally, I agree with Sund’s choice, go with Bibby and hopefully add a veteran big who will clean the glass and play energetic defense. Once Bibby is on board, it is time for Sund to address the other end of the floor.
Where does Mo fit in once Bibby is on board? Seems like he and Teague may be battling for floor time.
O'Brien
July 5th, 2009
4:52 pm
Bibby is also great at throwing them lobs/alley oops. I like Bibby for 2 years, but I hope that 3rd year is a team option.
If Woody utilizes Crawford correctly (and adjusts our switch everything on defense” scheme), Bibby’s shortcomings would not be as obvious.
Robert Yates
July 5th, 2009
4:54 pm
LAST!!!!!!!!!!!
Starrell Darks
July 5th, 2009
4:56 pm
Niremetal ,
What understand you no mean do you can’t me? Coherently talking am I! Sense make I always. Nothing basketball you about know don’t. Just championship I win want next to year a. Ass head your get of out your listen and what to I saying am!
jhan
July 5th, 2009
5:00 pm
nire – Historically those numbers are correct. I believe in this economic environment the numbers will go down. At least I’m hoping so as a Hawks fan!
Hoops – be careful talking about proper bench & starters minutes utilization. Some on this blog can find no issue with how Woody handles both. Unless your an All-Star you shouldn’t be counted on for quality minutes. If you are a starter you should be able to go 40 per night without suffering fatigue or injury.
Ariose
July 5th, 2009
5:02 pm
Flip is/was Great at being an Assasin/Sniper/Mercenary/Goon/Thug for us off the bench. He’s a beast for sure…..
Flips also from Philly, a place Known bringing up tough minded players. Kobe, Flip, Sheed, Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson etc…
Ariose
July 5th, 2009
5:04 pm
Flip also likes to dunk on PPL…..
Hehehehe….
Ariose
July 5th, 2009
5:06 pm
How come Flip/Wade dunk more than Joe Johnson/Crawford????
….lol…
newkid
July 5th, 2009
5:07 pm
Isn’t it also good advice to be careful about mantras like not trading for players whose teams didn’t reach the playoffs in the previous year? Did Minnesota make it to the playoffs the season before the Celtics traded for Garnett? Did the Grizzles make the playoffs the season before the Lakers traded for Gasol? It seems to me that what’s more important than a consideration of the trading partner’s previous success is the player to be obtained and what you must give up to get him. McHale’s ‘gift’ notwithstanding, the Celtics don’t pursue Garnett if Ainge is sold on the wayward notion that you don’t pursue elite players from teams that didn’t make the playoffs the previous year. And that logic probably means the Celts continue to ‘build around’ the big kid now in Minnesota and don’t even come close to a championship for many years to come. Neither does Dr. Buss pursue Gasol if Kupchak is shackled by that notion. Organizations seriously pursuing a championship with a sense of urgency look at all options – unbridled by unproven mantras – that have a reasonable chance of putting them in a position to compete for that championship. Don’t overpay, but don’t overlook either.
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
5:08 pm
Thats right starrell darks tell what you say trust me i understand every word you just said in all that stuff even thow no one else does i do i no bro tell them i got you mine back you understand.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
Starrell Darks
July 5th, 2009
5:11 pm
Of world the unite idiots!
Big Ray
July 5th, 2009
5:19 pm
Ariose,
I just can’t do it. No tennis for me. Not anymore.
And NO, I did NOT miss the match, what with you clowns updating every freakin’ set.
Astro Joe,
Back from the seventh circle of Hawks basketball depression hell, are we? So you agree with Sund’s choice to sign Bibby and THEN go after a veteran big or two. And here I was almost ready to believe in your prophecy of fire and brimstone, 35 wins, the death of a coach, and the apocalypse in general. Ah well. Maybe next year. Heh heh heh….
Jhan,
That’s funny as hell. Unfortunately, you are NOT lying….
Darrell,
You are scary. Seriously. Scary.
Big Ray
July 5th, 2009
5:23 pm
Newkid,
Actually, that is a damn good point. I think it’s about fit as well as how much you’re giving up to get the guy. I don’t believe in labeling an individual player as a “winner” or “non-winner” solely based on whether that person has played on winning teams. We clamor to re-sign Zaza, but how many times was he on a winning team? He came from Milwaukee for crying out loud. And even HERE, we’ve only had one winning season. It’s an incomplete logic at best.
What matters is what the player can do for your team, along with what you have to give to get him.
BosnianBaller
July 5th, 2009
5:25 pm
I’m liking our offseason so far.WE HAVE TO RESIGN ROCKY BALBOA aka ZAZA
dap01
July 5th, 2009
5:26 pm
SEKOU: Any word on Marvin? Any interest in Theo Ratlift?
Anakin Joe
July 5th, 2009
5:26 pm
Yeah, Ray, had to check on Astro Mama, she’s had a rough few weeks. Family before basketball. Especially the Mother Ship!
At this point, whatever it takes to bring in the best 1-2 defensive bigs. And I’m pretty sure, that requires re-signing Bibby (as opposed to goin after Jack). But it’s still too early for some of these 4th-seed predictions, espcially with RandMo as our sole big on the bench.
Blast
July 5th, 2009
5:28 pm
Darks,
U crazy, yo!
The Real Fan
July 5th, 2009
5:32 pm
Let Zaza go.
Sign a legitimate veteran big.
Sign and trade Chills.
Sign and trade Marvin.
Have Woods learn how to rotate guards.
real#1hawksfan
July 5th, 2009
5:33 pm
Hey Real who ya tradin for?
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
5:35 pm
btasl fo show folk
Hoops
July 5th, 2009
5:40 pm
Hoopsworld is linking Millsaps to the Hawks based on what happens to Marvin. Does anyone want to speculate on those possibilities?
D.Carter
July 5th, 2009
5:41 pm
Bibby offers no defense and no penetration ….. Dammit Woody give Teague a chance and sign at least ZAZA and maybe AAron Gray we need to get bigger
darrell starks
July 5th, 2009
5:44 pm
My bad blast i miss spell your name but is you and nire cousin or some type of foundation boards of director/or hands on manual therapy.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Cedric
July 5th, 2009
5:45 pm
Sign Wilcox who is an upgrade over Zaza and he has scary athleticism (ala Josh).
Ariose
July 5th, 2009
5:49 pm
LOL @ Ray hehehe…… the “closet” Tennis Fan.
That “Anymore” gave you away hah!