Extension talks for Joe
Joe Johnson in a Hawks uniform for a few more years sounds pretty good to most folks. The Hawks are talking to Johnson's camp about an extension.
HAWKSVILLE - Might the Hawks be interested in keeping captain and All-Star Joe Johnson off of the robust free agent market of 2010?
It seems so.
Multiple sources have confirmed that Hawks general manager Rick Sund is on an extended trip to the left coast, and part of his itinerary includes time in Los Angeles for face-to-face talks about a contract extension with Johnson’s camp (I mentioned this on Twitter late last night after hearing for sure that this was going on). A three-time All-Star, Johnson is heading into the final year of the five-year, $70 million deal he signed in August 2005 (which if traced back, you will realize was the rebirth of the franchise that has since made the playoffs in back-to-back years).
With superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh headlining next summer’s free agent crop, several teams are lining up to be major players. And that means more competition for the Hawks, were they to let Johnson get to next summer as an unrestricted free agent.
There’s plenty of time for these talks to progress, training camp is still nearly two months away. Just knowing that they are talking, though, is a good sign that the Hawks plan on taking a proactive approach where JJ is concerned. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
Speaking of training camp, it appears blog-fav/road grader Garret Siler is headed back to the city for training camp, per our friends at the Augusta Chronicle. The big fella had a good showing at the Hawks’ rookie/free agent mini-camp last month. He was mulling training camp invite offers from both the Hawks and Minnesota, but the Timberwolves’ pursuit of Ryan Hollins helped make his decision a little easier.
The need for a veteran big like Joe Smith remains, but at least we know there will at least one true “big man” (6-11 or taller and at least 270 pounds) in camp along with Zaza Pachulia.
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502 comments Add your comment
Anakin Joe
August 7th, 2009
10:56 am
newkid, I always guessed that the nameless GM simply lost his power fight and decided that if he didn’t have the juice to fire a subordinate, then he should just move on. I recall the rumors that he was only offered a 1 year extension, so that was clearly an insulting offer. He may very well end up working on Donnie Walsh’s staff in NYC… not as the man-in-charge but as his right-hand-man.
And for the record, I would have fired Woody pre-Bibby too. I would have tried to fire him after the 30-win season, actually. But here’s the other part, that nameless GM could NOT be trusted to hire a better coach. So maybe, it all worked out. As I continue to say, history shows us that most NBA GMs are clueless when it comes to hiring coaches. Or at least, they are adept at scapegoating the coach. And specifically, our ex-GM was REALLY bad at hiring coaches.
Big Ray
August 7th, 2009
11:15 am
Astro Joe ,
Your last two posts: very well written. Couldn’t agree more.
Big Ray
August 7th, 2009
11:18 am
Make that the last three posts…..
Big Ray
August 7th, 2009
11:19 am
Billy and Woody is an example of hiring a friend, discovering that you have philosophical differences that turn into a wedge in the friendship, and then not knowing how to stay professional throughout the process.
Or so it seemed.
doc
August 7th, 2009
12:39 pm
AJ nice stuff today as usual. i could only sound like an echo so i will not make anyone suffer through that. the plan seems to come together only if one or two legitimate bigs are brought onto the roster by season start. if only one is hired before the season starts? i think we should get AJ a job at hallmark setting rick sund up for the season of chasing the second big around feb 15.
btw what does sund have to do to get anakin back to astro? even clyde is able to change his colors when certain criteria are met.
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
12:48 pm
Doug, I agree, After doing a lot of thinking, It would be unwise to give Flip a deal. Especially when we’ve got bigger and better shooting guards waiting in the wings. Sirgey Galdyr is 6′5 and is a better shooter than Flip. He also handles the ball really well. Then there’s Cenk Akyol who isalso 6′5(I think Rick is eventually going to trade his rights…..was’t very inpressive at the mini-camp) but he’s there as well. Those guys well be here in the future(Probably wehen Mo’s contract runs it’s course) so room will need to be made for them. Oh yeah and tha Crawford guy, he’s here too lol. So I understand why Flip won’t be coming back.
As for the stats. It’s really hard to find good defensive stats. The ones I gave certainly don’t tell the whole story, especially since crawford was on some of the worse defensive squads in the leauge. But the stats gave me more of a general picture than comparing Crawford and Flips blocks/steals etc. we all know how decieving those stats are lol.
I’m with you though. I think Jamal will excel here in the ATL. Playing alongside Mike and Joe will make him and everyone else on our squad better. He should be rejuvinated, finally getting his chance to prove hwat he can do. It’s shaping out to be a great season!
Sign Siler, Joe Smith, another (long)SF, and Mario and were good to go!
Daniel
August 7th, 2009
12:53 pm
Ariose- I agree with your points. But don’t forget Randolph Morris and his 850,000. I don’t want him, never did. But, it will be hard for the ASG to pay that for him to just go away. Could be that Siler and or Mario are on the outside looking in.
Ken Strickland
August 7th, 2009
1:05 pm
The Hawks have made steady improvement in wins since Woodson’s been the HC. But most of that improvement has been due to the acquisition and upgrade of talent, until last yr. The additions of Bibby at the trade deadline and the drafting of AHorford in 07 started us on the way to becoming successful playoff contenders. But last yr, our success was based almost exclusively on us coming together, as well as individual player improvement and production.
Personally, I believe last yrs formula will be the major cause of this yrs improvement, rather than the addition of 1 or 2 FA Bigs to our bench. This will be the 1st yr that Woodson will have a team comprised of all the major players he’s approved of. THAT IN ITSELF IS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT. In other words, the top 4 players off this yrs bench, MEvans, JCrawford, JTeague and ZPachulia, will be either traded for, signed or resigned, with Woodson’s input and/or approval.
There should be no personal issues, hopefully, like the ones that existed between Woodson and players like ALaw, SStaudemire or SJones. Oh, one more thing. Orlando will now have only one starter available from last yrs NBA finals team to start the season. So, we have a very good chance to get off to a good start, which we usually do, and get a jump on Orlando and win the 3rd seed. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
1:13 pm
Ill-Logical, Tha’s probably true. Crawford is more of a Community oriented guy. The more good guys the better lol.
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
1:40 pm
Ken, I completely agree.
Daniel, I’m willing to give Randolph at least until the deadline to prove that’s he’s worth the money he’s getting paid lol. He AT LEAST seems commited by losing 30lbs and participating in the teams mini-camp. Now Mario is a different story. The way the roster is shaping out, It looks like he will get that last spot again. He’s also a RFA so he could sign a one year qualifier. I like Mario’s hustle. That can’t be overlooked, but the guy needs a jumpshot or he won’t make it much farther.
Melvin
August 7th, 2009
2:10 pm
Ariose,
I beat you too the Rashard Lewis story on yesterday. You been slipping lately. Too much tweeting huh….
Anakin Joe
August 7th, 2009
2:12 pm
Ray & doc, thanks. doc, my regression from Paul to Saul happened when Sund acquired a certain combo guard which had me immediately speculating that we would not being able to add a quality big and would have trouble keeping Marvin and Joe. Basically, I thought that he wasted the limited grocery budget on more fruits when we needed some beef (fruit is good for your diet but this team is protein-deficient). So to answer your question… feed me some quality beef and I return to “Astro”. Not the cube-steak (Stromile or Pollard). Not the veal (undrafted FAs who are years from maturity). Get me that well-marbled ribeye that is still sitting in the window… Joe Smith, and I will be a happy cowboy.
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
2:15 pm
Melvin, lol. Nah I saw it yesterday on ESPN news but I was leaving out so I couldn’t post it. I knew you’d stay on to of things
Anakin Joe
August 7th, 2009
2:24 pm
Oh yeah, add Tony Battie to Sund’s Hallmark card list. No way he stays in NJ for the entire season. And if Gortat & Bass stay healthy, there may not be room for him back in Orlando (that also assumes that Rashard gets off that Sammy Sosa Sauce).
A Tribe Called Quest
August 7th, 2009
2:37 pm
NICE…WE LET BEN WALLACE GET BY.
WHAT’S THAT? 12 QUALITY BIGS WE COULD HAVE HAD?
OH WAIT, NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY FOR A COACH WHO DOESNT USE HIS BENCH
Mike is back
August 7th, 2009
3:04 pm
AJ, really cooooool stuff on GMs!! Really like Kurt Thomas he is a vet Big with the savvy and playoff experience that this team sorely needs,
Big Ray and Doc, while I will agree that Sund came into a fortuitous situation compared to BK…to his credit he has stayed the course and made the most of it. I’m impressed!!
Yeah…I know…no Big…Still impressed at the way he conducts his business. Man if Sund some how managed to sign two vet Bigs… I would not be surprised if Mark Bradley nominates Sund for the Nobel Peace Prize.heh heh.
Can a brotha get a vet BIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!
GO TEAGUE…GO SILER…AND GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sekou Smith
August 7th, 2009
3:36 pm
Marvin is “officially” back in the fold now.
cp
August 7th, 2009
3:44 pm
Mario is a nice story and all but if he hasn’t added a jump short or learned to dribble with his left hand then give me Gerald Green to take over his spot.
Mike is back
August 7th, 2009
4:01 pm
Sekou thanks…o…and welcome back from vacation. The Bradley comment in my previous blog was in reference to the Marvin signing. Still hungry for Beef though!! Maybe we can get things done with JS now.
GO HAWKS!!!!
Melvin
August 7th, 2009
4:08 pm
Sekou, anything new on Joe Smith and JJ?????
Anakin Joe
August 7th, 2009
4:13 pm
Seriously, at this point, who else could possibly be flirting with Joe Smith? We HAVE to be the best available match. Come on Sund, put on “Let’s Get it On” and end this flirtation.
Mike is back
August 7th, 2009
4:14 pm
CP I agree. I really like Mario…but with the abundance of guards…the Hawks could go a different way and give that time to Teague…we still have MO to help against big SGs…Guys like Mario will turn up on somebody roster. It may be time to move on.
doc
August 7th, 2009
4:18 pm
yeah me too AJ. as you know that is my suggestion as well. let us enjoy this year if we get a big and begin to set up expectations for an even better year if smith comes on board. in the mean time you can do your best sund impersonation and write all the cards and letters you want to get those guys set up for mid february when we know how legit we are. joe smith and the ” long” combo guard are a huge upgrade over flip and solo, then essentially teague for acie with the rest of the team back. if that happens we will start seeing sund walks on water paintings in the phillips.
mike so true.
Melvin
August 7th, 2009
4:38 pm
Kevin Durant is becoming scary good. Just think, this guy played center in college.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Kevin-Durant-lights-up-Goodman-League;_ylt=AsPlVfQXOWbYflES6wdBMyy8vLYF?urn=nba,181515
Doug
August 7th, 2009
4:44 pm
Ariose: Your thoughtful response is appreciated and stands in stark contrast to many blog interactions! It will be an exciting year…hopefully the last couple…but vital tweaks will wrap up what would become a pretty impressive summer! How bout…Joe Smith…Rodney Carney and let Siler -Morris battle out for last big…and pray Siler is good-interested enough to beat out Morris!!!
A Thinking Fan
August 7th, 2009
5:16 pm
Doc, AJ, Ken, Ray, etc. **No Bigs** 4 & done again – BASG!
richbrave
August 7th, 2009
5:18 pm
OCTOBER 30 HAWKS fans. The sombrero I picked up in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC last month is marinating. I’ll believe the hype about AGENT ZERO’s comeback when I see it.
Ken Strickland
August 7th, 2009
5:28 pm
Why are so many of you so up in the air over who we sign as our #2 backup C/PF? We managed 47 wins and gained the 4th seed with Solo as our #2 backup C/PF. And that was with him getting 10 inconsistent MPG and a butt load of DNPCD’s.
We saw how fragile Boston is and how easily they fall apart with the loss of a key player. Orlando will start the season having to deal with some serious chemistry and adjustment issues, and Cleveland got by last yr virtually injury free. They’re just an injury to LJames away from falling apart. We are the only team in our conference that’s proven capable of overcoming injuries and adversaties without falling apart.
I really like the Hawks as they are right now, although adding another quality Big wouldn’t hurt. I think we’ll be able to improve upon last yrs success with or without signing Joe Smith.
The Flash
August 7th, 2009
5:54 pm
for those of youz who said Bosh can’t hold his own with the centers in this league and is a power forward, what do you call Gasol and how did the Lakers handle the only true center in the NBA, and that would be Howard. I’ll tell you how, keep him off the offensive board. If you keep Howard off the offensive board, his ability to literally kill you with points that no one else would get and would in all likelihood be a possession for the other team, goes out the window. Without his offensive rebounding game, Howard is ordinary. Phil took that part of his game away and the Lakers won.
So who besides Howard are you scared of in the middle, in the entire league? Yao, sorry, he’s done. Shaq? Please. His biggest contribution in Cleveland will be to take some of the pre and post game pressure off LeBron, and to teach LeBron a little about how to deal with disappointment. He will not be a difference maker on the Court and if he is, it will not be beyond this year.
So, I am liking Bosch, who did play in Atlanta, or did I miss something?
The Knicks won a second championship with a 6′9″ at best center (Jerry Lucas) who shot from depth, and a 6′7″ power forward. They played a team game which the Hawks just might be capable of on a sustained basis more and more.
JJ does not “run free,” he just doesn’t, and for the spot he occupies on this team that operates as a cap on how high it can go. Does anyone really see it differently. Love to hear how come.
SWAT Native
August 7th, 2009
6:03 pm
Now that Marvin has signed his deal, I believe that it clears the way for signing Joe Smith and perhaps another vet. Extend Joe to eliminate that potential distraction, and the Hawks haven’t had a bad summer.
kirkinga
August 7th, 2009
6:06 pm
Congratulations to Marvin Williams and the Hawks. Looks like a very fair deal for all. I think agents are advising clients to be more flexible in this down economy. Hopefully JJ is receiving, and accepting of, some wise advice as well.
Still no big huh? Well maybe now that Marvin is out of the way, we’ll see or hear of a more vigorous push to address the final glaring weakness (Coach Woodson’s and his status notwithstanding).
Go Hawks!!
Mystikal
August 7th, 2009
6:07 pm
The Lakers had Andrew Bynum 7′0 280, Pau Gasol 7′0 260, and the length of Lamar Odom; not to mention some guy named Kobe. Even with all that though, they did not “handle” Dwight Howard. I don’t know what you were watching, but I remember all Lakers bigs looking sick on the sideline in foul trouble at one point or another. It is not like the Lakers blew out the magic. They got it done in some close games that could’ve went either way. Chris Bosh is smaller than Al Horford, he might get a concussion trying to play center full time. And how does a knicks championship 30+ yrs ago have anything to do with Bosh in this day and age. I’m not following your line of thought.
Mystikal
August 7th, 2009
6:09 pm
CONGRATS to Marvin, it’s official now. Crazy how we finally get some good news, celebrate for 5 min and start complaining about the next thing. That being said “now let’s sign Joe Smith”.. Lol
cp
August 7th, 2009
6:28 pm
Doug I had forgotten about Carney. I would love him or Gerald Green to back up Marvin. Mo is just too small to guard small forwards.
The Flash
August 7th, 2009
6:57 pm
Mystikal, first, Bynum barely contributed during the playoffs. Gasol and Lamar handled the middle, and the two of them, sometimes with the help of someone else, kept Howard off the glass. If you look at the games, that was the difference, especially in the energy, or lack of it for long times, for Orlando. So, the Lakers won with two power forwards. I doubt that they would have done that without Yao’s having been hurt, but he was and in all likelihood will never be the same.
I do not see a big man in the middle on any team in the league who scares me accept Howard and, until he develops a jump shot, I think he can be stopped from doing what he does best and Orlando becomes much, much more beatable in playoff basketball, with inside players who can keep him off the glass and, in doing so, outscore him. That’s what I think.
The Knicks had to beat Wilt to win the Championship. Wilt! Enough said about your big man argument.
If you think that the Hawks would not have a vastly superior upside with Al and Bosh playing side by side than they do with Al and JJ playing side by side and Smooth providing the second big, we disagree.
The upside with a core of those two bigs seems to me to be enormous. Yes, you will need people around them who share the ball, and who make plays off the defense, get loose balls (including freak rebounds), and score in the open court, which puts less wear and tear on a team.
JJ is an upper echolon player and with the ball in his hands in the half court there are few who are superior. However, paying him the money it will take to keep him, I do not think that this team can go as far as most of you would like. I think if you can add Bosh, this team has a bigger upside, much.
dos hawkquis
August 7th, 2009
7:25 pm
If Joe Johson was smart, he should go ahead and sign his extension now. Next year f/a class of 2010 is not going to live up to the hype.
Please do not, I repeat, please do not underestimate the mind of David Sterns. Dude came out a year early and spoke of the impending dome of the league and stating that the cap will be lower next year. This is equivalent to Alan Greenspan or the current chairman of the federal reserve saying that the interest rate may drop. The market reacts.
Stern can not afford to have one or two teams “stacked” with talent. Stern knows for the viability of the league, he needs several teams to be viable. The west coast has Portland, L.A., San Antonio, Denver. Midwest-Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit. East Coast-Orlando, Miami, Atlanta.
Sterns comments about the cap dropping next year will be enough to keep New York from getting 2 top tier players.
KUDOS TO STERN!!
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!”
Melvin
August 7th, 2009
7:39 pm
To get Steven Hunter and 1st round pick. I would have took this deal as well. Too badd we are over the cap…
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AmjFXyRAs72BTe6O.B3Yf8i8vLYF?slug=aw-nuggetstrade080709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Blast
August 7th, 2009
7:45 pm
Ken Strickland, Great 10:22 pm post. But Hawks do need two more bigs that can contribute. Remember last year when Al was out and Zaza was starting or playing heavy minutes? Who backs Zaza or Josh up if they get injured or in foul trouble? Solo? He’s gone. RandMo? He can’t move or play. Also we give up too many defensive rebounds to bigger teams because our frontcourt is small.
JJ made his name in Atlanta, not in Phoenix where he came off the bench most part. Although he did shine in the playoffs in Phoenix the season he broke his nose.
Joe has more money that some small countries? That was so funny!
Things gonna be interesting up in Cleveland now that LeBron has said he is not signing an extension this year.
Go Hawks!
Ken Strickland
August 7th, 2009
9:14 pm
BLAST-I agree, we need another quality Big to back Zaza up, but more importantly, we need Woodson to utilitize that #2 backup Big more efficiently and consistently. It looks like LeBron is starting to succumb to the pressures of playing before the homefolks and realizes he might need a change of scenery.
I think there are 2 reasons we’re having problems signing a Joe Smith.
(1) He knows he’s near the end of his career and wants a multi year contract, while we only want to offer a 1yr contract.
(2) He also knows he won’t get the consistent mins, nor the number of mins with Atlanta that he got with Cleveland. So if he has to sit at the end of the bench, he’d rather do it with a championship calibur team, and that’s not us.
I think he’s still availble because we’re not the only team that doesn’t want to offer him a multi yr contract.
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
9:22 pm
Doug, thanks lol. I agree Carney is a guy I like way back when he played with the Sixers in 07-08. High energy guy who can hit the open three. He’s only 6′6 and really skinny though but he and Mo should have no problem backing up Marvin at the SF spot. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say by the end of the season Siler > Morris hehehe. But I think Morris is more suited tp play the PF position.
I wish we could do a S&T Mo Evans for Linas Kleiza, but I think because we’re over the cap we cannot take on salary in a trade….I may be wrong about that though.
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
9:23 pm
*to play the PF position
Doug
August 7th, 2009
9:56 pm
Ariose: Klezia would be a great get….could we throw in Morris and get it done??? Carney is skinny but tough and he just gives you one more guy to stretch the floor that can hold his own athletically
Samuel
August 7th, 2009
10:40 pm
Flash,
I like Bosh but It doesn’t really solve our Center problem. He’s about as light in the as_ as I am. Solo with a jump shot. Same goes for Biedrens. he’s too light. Bynum didn’t do much offensively but he did “Bang” a plenty with Dwight. If we trade any of our core, it has to be foe a big Body if we play on ever cracking the top 3.
I have said before that if we can keep our core together and sign a serviceable big, 2010-11 can be our year to crack the top 3. I still believe that.
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
10:48 pm
Doug, No question, Carney is as athletic as they come. I don’t know what Klezias qualifying offer would be, but whatever it is, it shouldn’t bee too much because he was a second round pick. Mo+Randolph should bemore than enough.
Samuel, I agree.
Samuel
August 7th, 2009
11:03 pm
has anybody taken a look a Memphis’ roster lately? They are loading up with some pretty good young players. If they can stay together for a couple of years they could make some noise out west.
Gasol
Randolph
Gay
Mayo
Conley
Thabeet
Arthur
Young
MWilliams
All they’re missing is a serious PG. I’d love to see AI go there and run with that bunch.
Mystikal
August 7th, 2009
11:16 pm
Okay Flash, if that’s what you believe than have at it. Cause sounds like you are believing what you want to anyway. Dwight Howard is going to continue to get better and comparing what the knicks did to Wilt Chamberlain way back when has nothing to do with your argument. I’m not trying to hate on you, but your examples are not piecing together. Chris Bosh would want too much money to come here anyway, it he’d consider coming at all. We agree that Josh Smith would be the player that needs to be moved though; and at least you didn’t come out with Amare Stoudamire’s name again. I don’t think we are a championship team as is, but depending on how things play out we could sneak past the second round.
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
11:36 pm
Samuel, I don’t think conley is going to be anything in this leauge….time to let him go…
Have Y’all seen this?
http://www.nba.com/video/teams/hawks/2009/08/07/MarvinSigns.nba/index.html
Ariose
August 7th, 2009
11:44 pm
…..our schedule SUCKS!!!!
Ramon
August 8th, 2009
12:04 am
Ariose, your video shows that above anything BK did do a great job of drafting good young men who doesn’t get into much trouble off the court. And as much as it may seem they argue on the court, it does show professionalism by all of them that none of the ‘details’ ever truly makes it to the press through the players. Many organizations in the league wish they had players who were this loyal to the locker room.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 8th, 2009
12:09 am
One more big man down: Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that Big Baby Davis is on the verge of re-signing with Boston.
Rick Sund, GET UP OFF YOUR AZZ AND SIGN JOE SMITH!!!