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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501 comments Add your comment
Melvin
August 5th, 2009
10:14 am
Hopefully we can get Joe extentsion done. So what’s up with Marvin? Is it safe to assume that Hawks has a verbal agreement with him (considering Sund is meeting with JJ’s camp) or have they broken off talks?
Mike
August 5th, 2009
10:15 am
Enough talk…let’s get things done. Finalize the Marvin deal, get Joe Smith in and give Joe an extension. The last thing we want all season is talk about whether Joe is staying or going.
With Joe Smith our 10 man rotation is set.
Bibby, Teague
Joe, Crawford
Marvin, Mo
Josh, Joe Smith
Al, Zaza
Not bad and we would finally have some experienced depth…Then we can fill the final spots with Siler, Hunter, West and another guard.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
10:21 am
Sekou- way to crank out the info. Good to have you back working for us.
Now, we just need some updates on the Joe Smith front. C’mon man you know you can tell us, we won’t let it slip. Ha!
What else is Sund up to on his West Coast trip? Is this vacation time?
smartguy
August 5th, 2009
10:22 am
Extend him? Trade him.
…and fire Woody.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
10:24 am
Anakin Joe- from previous blog. Evans contract is expiring this year too, I thought.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
10:27 am
nevermind he is signed through next year. sorry about that.
What's the Hawks' rush to re-sign Joe? | Jeff Schultz
August 5th, 2009
10:31 am
[...] Hawks are exploring contract talks with guard Joe Johnson, according to my long lost twin Sekou Smith, and theoretically an extension could be worth in excess of $75 million over five years [...]
aaron
August 5th, 2009
10:41 am
Sekou,
Read an espn analysis of our roster saying we’d have jamal starting at the 2 and moving joe to 3, Al at 4, and ZaZa starting at center…bringing Josh and Marvin off the bench. Josh off the bench is not a good idea for alot of reasons in my opinion and ZaZa is not starter material. Woody doesn’t consider that an option right? Just want to confirm it was the journalist’s ideas and not ours.
C
August 5th, 2009
10:43 am
Good idea. He is underappreciated by most Hawks fans, but without him we would be back to a 30 win team.
Willie Coyote
August 5th, 2009
10:49 am
Extending him and signing Marvin would ensure we have a solid team for the next several years (barring serious injury or other problems). Does it make the Hawks championship contenders though? Also, will re-signing Horford or other future free agents be financially feasible with the $ already allocated to our guys over the next 5 years?
I’m not complaining, I just hope that casting our lot with our core will result in a title. They will definitely have to do it like Detroit did a few years back.
Ernest
August 5th, 2009
10:49 am
Sekou:
Welcome back from vacation! You may be like myself, I looked forward to getting back to ‘work’ to get some ‘rest’
Good to hear that the Hawks are looking to extend JJ. This also sends a strong message to the rest of the league by keeping our core together. This should be received well and may open their eyes to the Hawks.
That said, just read the Garret Siler will come to camp with the Hawks. While I’m not putting a lot into it, it does provide another big body for the team to bang with. RandMo has got to show he deserves to stay if he wants to remain in the league. Let’s hope he is up to the challenge.
While I would obviously want to see Joe Smith in a Hawks jersey next season, there are a few more veterans that might agree for the role we are seeking. The Collins twins come to mind. I also wonder if Earl Barron at camp did enough to warrant a second look. He finished strong for the Heat a few season ago.
jake
August 5th, 2009
10:55 am
Keep Joe!
a1andonly
August 5th, 2009
10:56 am
Joe is worth the money. Now that he has help, it opens the floor for all of the other players to expand there game. Joe Smith and Garrett Siler would be great pick-ups. Don’t forget Flip. Remember, he saved us from plenty of losses last season. The Hawks are the team to watch this season. Nobody expects them to do well and thats great motivation. Smartguy needs to find a new blog to rip Joe on….He’s one of the best players in the league. Even the doubters will admit that.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
10:56 am
Earnest- RandMo has clearly shown that he does not belong in the league. No training camp will change that.
Glenn
August 5th, 2009
10:59 am
An extension after that playoff performance ? I guess the thinking is we can maybe sign him on the cheap . Boy he stunk in the post season .
Sekou Smith
August 5th, 2009
11:01 am
Aaron, stop reading whatever it is you read. That’s nonsense, to put it kindly.
aaron
August 5th, 2009
11:02 am
both collins twins? room for both?
BrittishAnger
August 5th, 2009
11:03 am
I think the move to setup a contract extension is a smart move by Ricky Sund; rather than having to worry about competition stealing Joe away and leaving it up to ASG to replace him (good luck with that butterball), better to lock him up now and then work with what little money we’ll have remaining on securing the RFA’s and replacing the UFA’s (short of what we can get in next years draft with that extra pic from Houston).
You know I’m happy Siler will be back for training camp, good news indeed Sekou. Randolph is gonna have a fun time fighting the kid for minutes, but hopefully both will provide for the team in their own way (I will admit Morris’ jumper looks more confident than it did at times last season). Keep up the good work, Mr. Smith.
J.J.M.
August 5th, 2009
11:06 am
If we get joe and marvin signed that just leaves horford next season to be signed hmmm wonder how much horford is worth…any ideas?
Pete A
August 5th, 2009
11:08 am
Extending Joe is defintely needed. This core is solid and needs to be kept together since 3 of the keys are young. The tricky thing being overlooked is the Crawford deal is gonna probably push us over the luxury tax line next year – that’s got to impact what they can offer Joe. Will ownership really go for paying the tax when only the Lakers, Cavs and Celtics sell out games?
After getting Marvin, Joe, and hopefully Joe Smith done, Sund needs to seriously evaluate Woodson. He’s done some nice things but he still can’t reach Josh and the offense is stagnant an unimaginative.
BK
August 5th, 2009
11:10 am
Sekou –
What will extending JJ do to our salary/payroll/cap? Will we have any money to go after anyone next summer? It just sounds like we’re still just trying to keep the same guys year in and year out for the foreseeable future…(Which isn’t bad, I’d just like to see some new to the Hawks (yet proven) talent in the starting 5)
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
11:12 am
Some guys just “get it”. An excerpt from the Orlando Sentinel:
Howard just wants to clear up one thing: Despite all the fun he’s been having, he said he’s focusing on his game. Two training specialists — Bryan Meyer and Korey McCray — have accompanied the 23-year-old superstar as he has crisscrossed North America. Meyer, a trainer who works at RDV Sportsplex, helps Howard with strength and conditioning. McCray, who played point guard at Mercer University, assists Howard with his free-throw shooting and moves on the court.
“Hakeem Olajuwon had the Dream Shake, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the Sky Hook, and we’re working on a go-to move for Dwight,” McCray said. “He has an unbelievable work ethic. He’s Superman in Orlando. He’s Superman in the NBA. But he works to be Superman. He just doesn’t wake up and put on a Magic uniform. He works at it.”
Meyer and McCray said they each work with Howard for about an hour to 90 minutes five or six days a week.
Tony
August 5th, 2009
11:16 am
I agree with u Jeff.Do not resign Joe just yet. Let him play it out. First of all lets be honest JOE IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY BETTER. What you see is what you get. Picture him as the cornerstone of this franchise?! Now picture Lebron or D-Wade. Get the picture?! He is not a superstar!!! Just like Barkley said “He is just a good player”. Holla. I love Joe but we will not go anywhere w/o Josh Smith and AL and Marvin are the key because Joe cannot do it alone. I would let Joe go BEFORE Josh Smith anyday. Don’t hate. Josh Smith can alter the game on both ends. You can talk about his maturity all you want. But Joe cannot control the game like Josh can. Josh is just some maturity away from being this teams best player (holla). To those offended I’m sorry.ATL 4 Life.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
11:17 am
BK- If they give him roughly the same contract, then it does nothing to our team’s cap situation. Now, a shrinking cap number will have an effect, which will be equally shared across the league. A lot of these teams(clevlan, boston) with high priced aging veterans will really be in the weeds then. So, to sign a young player who has been a cornerstone to the teams success is smart business. Clearly, Joe deserves more money than Josh, so his contract has to stay in the 14 mil range.
Sean
August 5th, 2009
11:21 am
Sekou, any news on Joe Smith? Are we still pursuing him still?
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
11:22 am
Tony- your comments don’t make any sense. How does extended Joe’s contract affect Josh, Marvin and Al. They are all under contract (or be extended, like Marvin). It is not an either or situation. No joe is not the same player that Lebron or D.Wade is (he is also not as whiny), but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the better players in the league. Max type contract players come in more varieties than just Kobe and Lebron. See the NBA has the contract structure for players that limits how teams pay them…. well obviously you have no idea how this thing works.
aaron
August 5th, 2009
11:25 am
joe doesn’t give you highlights like lebron or d wade but he does give us cornerstone production. Unfortunately, his playoff run wasn’t the best but alot of factors created that scenario…the offense, injuries, too many minutes etc…. Joe is underrated as a player in the NBA! He is not Lebron or Jordan. But you can build around him. Until Josh shows that he can evolve into his full potential, he doesn’t deserve to be the foundation of the team.
Travis Hansen & Chris Crawford
August 5th, 2009
11:31 am
Do you know how long of an extension they’re talking about?
3 years or less would be good, longer then that I don’t like it. I just think it’s a matter of time before JJ’s body starts to break down from all the minutes.
He can barely dunk the ball now.
a1andonly
August 5th, 2009
11:31 am
Thank you Daniel..Please explain how it works to these bloggers!
shannon
August 5th, 2009
11:32 am
Its Funny How everybody keeps dogging Joe.. He was the reason why the hawks finally made it back to the Playoffs. Oh and remember Game 7 of of the 1st round against the Miami Heat.. Who showed up, JJ or Wade?
Tony
August 5th, 2009
11:34 am
Daniel did you READ what I said? Obviously you didn’t!!!
Tony
August 5th, 2009
11:36 am
Guys why are you all stuck on Joe. I like Joe as a player but I’m simply saying we cannot get to the championship w/o Marvin, Josh, and AL playing at a high level.
darrell starks
August 5th, 2009
11:42 am
I no im talking about high school but when howard and morris played against each other at the tech coliseum morris dominated howard, i just think if morris put his mind to it and get with some one during the summer to help him improve his game he can become a good solid player.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
11:45 am
Tony, I don’t understand, what do Al, Marvin & Josh have to do with extending Joe? Are you suggesting that they can’t become better players if Joe is still around?
Kevin M
August 5th, 2009
11:46 am
Looks like Joe Smith will have to have the door closed on him in Cleveland for him to leave there and we give him a 1 year. Not a big boost, but with so few available, I just want some experience off the bench.
Woodson will get his extension. JJ will get his money. We are going to go with who brought us this far. Sund walked into a good situation and should be able to keep the core moving forward.
We could use some help at the 3 still should we be unable to get 81 games out of Marvin. We need someone to help slow down LeBron and DWade.
darrell starks
August 5th, 2009
11:56 am
Randolph morris is only 23 years old wow if only he can just focus more and get with the right teacher.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Traceman
August 5th, 2009
11:57 am
Tony, a 5 yr/$75M deal doesn’t say that JJ is equal to Kobe, LeBron or D Wade. That is not max money and all 3 of those guys will get max money. LeBron and D Wade both have player options for $17,149,243 next year and Kobe has a player option for $24,806,250 next year. If we start JJ at $15M next year, he will be making AT LEAST $10M per season less than Kobe. As for LeBron and D Wade, I’m not sure what their extensions will be for but you can be SURE they will be offered 6 yr extensions worth the maximum available.
I’m guessing max salaries next year for LeBron and D Wade will be somewhere in the 6yr/$130M range based on a starting salary of $17,149,123 with the maximum allowable $10.5% range each year. If those guys are worth 6 yrs/$130M, JJ is damn sure worth 5 yrs/$75M. He’s probably worth 5 yrs/$80M. I would bet he will command that on the open market next year.
Eric
August 5th, 2009
11:59 am
I like the Joe Johnson Josh Smith combination. Josh brings that excitement with sick dunks and block shots, and Joe adds steady consistant scoring. Get Joe signed now before other teams get involed next off season, build around these two guys.
Traceman
August 5th, 2009
11:59 am
reference my post above, make that “10.5% percent RAISE” not RANGE.
TRUTH-SERUM
August 5th, 2009
12:01 pm
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
11:12 am
CAN YOU HELP THE HAWKS GET A REAL BIG MAN SO THEY CAN COMPETE SERIOUSLY. WITH THIS TEAM OF POWERFORWARD AND GUARDS THEY WILL BE A LOT LIKE THE DALLAS MAVERICK AND THE PHONIEX SUNS, GOOD BUT NO CHAMPIONSHIP AND NO FINALIST. CANT WIN WITHOUT A CENTER AND JOE SMITH IS NOT THE MAN. HE POSES NO OFFENSIVE THREAT IN THE LOW POST. JON KONCAK, I MEAN ZAZA THE HUMAN TURNOVER IS THE MOST UNATHELETIC MAN IN BASKETBALL FEATURING A 3″ VERTICAL LEAP, NEITHER IS HE AN OFFENSIVE THREAT. THE HAWKS ARE WEAK, VERY WEAK AT THE CENTER POST AND MOST TEAMS EXPLIOT THEM THERE, ASK 5′10″ TONY PARKER. THE BIRDS WILL LOOK GOOD AGAINST MEDIOCRE TEAM BUT WILL BE FORCED OUT OF THE PAINT ASGAINST REAL TEAMS. JUST ASK JOSH SMITH.
Eric
August 5th, 2009
12:03 pm
Randolph Morris is garbage, he shouldn’t be on a N.B.A. roster!!!
ILL-logical
August 5th, 2009
12:03 pm
Had Woodson / management played Othello Hunter and Randolph Morris in the NDBL over the last couple of years, would we be having these conversations about the need for frontcourt help?
Consider this, no player gets better sitting on the bench. Despite Woodson’s statements to the effect that all of the bench players need to stay ready for their opportunity, guys like Solo, Othello and Randolph had very few opportunities to hone their skills under the current regime.
The only gauge of their respective abilities that we the fans have had is Woodson’s opinion. And frankly, I am not sure his credibility is intact in these matters.
The point: If Garret Siler is to ever become a productive NBA player, he has to be strategically developed. A dedicated coach/ consultant; NDBL time and patience. Otherwise, he will become just another guy left on the bench while the fans acream where’s the beef!
Tony
August 5th, 2009
12:04 pm
Johnny is right. You cannot afford to keep all those guys. C’mon people. Let’s see what happens.
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
12:11 pm
Al won’t likely get a raise until Crawford is off the books, which will happen the summer that Al becomes a RFA. So yes, we can afford to pay Joe his money. We just won’t be able to afford much more than a scrub big man until Mo’s $2.5M is done in the summer of 2011. Unless, we trade for an expiring contract before the February trade deadline.
Khao$
August 5th, 2009
12:17 pm
Sekou,does Sund being out of town to discuss Joe impact Marvin’s resigning this week in any way? I just find it odd that he’d be in Cali on the cusp of resigning an important FA.
darrell starks
August 5th, 2009
12:26 pm
Eric what big man isn’t garbage?
go hawks!!!!!!
darrell starks
August 5th, 2009
12:29 pm
Eric if you think a 34 year joe smith who is garbage is going to help the hawks then your in a rude of waking.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
12:29 pm
Oh dear. The ugly Crawford contract rears its head again. Now Horford can’t get a raise. Wow. Sund has doomed this team.
Last Cracker in East Point
August 5th, 2009
12:32 pm
Resigning Joe would be a great idea. It would rank up there with the Koncak contract in my mind. I sure do miss watching Koncak patrol the paint with those darn sexy legs.
Hawksgirl
August 5th, 2009
12:33 pm
JJ’s play sorta does depend on how smoove horford and marv play. What im sayin is that when jj is on the floor they have a different mentality than when he isnt……..Their of course breaking out of it now, smith carrying the team or al carries the team in some games. But there are times where it depends on jj. Usually when he has a “bad” game, his teammates have a better one. I dont think he always has bad games, i think he just chooses to pass rather than shoot which is of course why his ppg went down. He chooses to give someone else the ball and give other guys a chance so the team just doesnt depend on one guy………Just my thoughts for now….
I also think rextending or talks of extending his contract right now is good. Especially since he will be on the market and planty teams want this 3 time allstar that practically turned his team 360.
D3 After Dark
August 5th, 2009
12:38 pm
Last Cracker is right! Koncak was the best Hawk ever. Can we lure him out of retirement anytime soon? He would do a better job than Joe Smith. Who is Joe Smith anyway? What has he ever done in the NBA other than draw a few charges. I think Koncak would fit into Woody’s system Here is my break down of the Hawks’ roster:
PG- Short Guy that can penetrate anytime he wants
SG- Slightly taller guy that can take the penetration
SF- Goofy looking dude that is known as a finisher
PF- Less goofy looking dude that can mop up the mess
C- Jon Koncak–penetrates and takes one for the team.
Ramon
August 5th, 2009
12:40 pm
Sund is smart. This moves proves it. I think Sund gets the best of both worlds by doing this move. If Sund is able to come to an agreement with JJ for an extension then every thing is great.
However, if he’s not, by starting this summer, Sund opens up the possibility of trading JJ this summer or during the season. Sund realizes if JJ leaves next summer, no big name free agent will come here. So if you’re getting the feeling from JJ’s camp that he’s in love with the idea of going to NY, why not try to see whats the most you could get for his contract, if you can do it with out losing out in your standings.
Everyone kept saying Josh for Bosh, or Josh for Amare. But could it be Sund is considering JJ for Jefferson (Al), or even Bosh (if he agreed to extension)? Or could it be Sund is trying to show Joe Smith or any other free agent that he DID attempt to keep his team together, and will always look out for his players? Because with the exception of Childress, Sund has actively re-signed all of his free agents from his team.
Chris
August 5th, 2009
12:40 pm
First can someone please tell me something positive about Joe Smith other than he’s big?
Second, someone mentioned earlier that Joe Johnson can’t get better than he is right now. I started noticing last year around mid season, maybe closer to the end of the season, that Joe started driving pretty hard to the basket on random occasions, which usually turned into a badly missed acrobatic layup. He looked like he could get to the rim with ease, but he just couldn’t seem to finish those strong drives. If he is working on that over the offseason and can keep up his jump shooting ability then I could see him being much more of an asset than he already is. That is the key to Joe taking us to the next step, his ability to drive to the basket regularly. This will take his game to the next level.
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
12:46 pm
Ramon,
I think Sund is smart to begin negotiations with JJ. It shows that he knows the clock is ticking. tocking. ticking. tocking…
Ramon
August 5th, 2009
12:48 pm
Big Ray, I agree. And besides the Hawks (before now) what other team who has an All star free agent next season, hasn’t AT LEAST came to their player and offered an extension.
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
12:49 pm
Chris,
He can hit jumpers. And hooks. And get rebounds. Maybe block a shot or two. More than anything else, he’s a solid player who can also help mentor our young big men. We’ve needed that for a long time.
For some reason, it was unknown to some that we didn’t have a decent veteran big man until this offseason. We didn’t have one the entire time Billy Knight was here. Unless you count Lo Wright, who showed that it was possible to average more fouls per game than points or rebounds per game.
Ben Jenkins
August 5th, 2009
12:50 pm
Extension talks mean nothing. We’ve had “talks” with Marvin for 4 weeks. Nothing has come to fruition. Let’s not get excited….YET
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
12:52 pm
Who’s getting excited about the extension talks? We’re just talking about it. Extension talks do mean something. They mean you’re paying attention to your player. These things always start slowly. But they gotta start somewhere.
Smarmy Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
12:56 pm
Ray,
You’re starting up with the spitballs from the back of the classroom again. Stop it! Just because I always start it first doesn’t mean you get to fire back! NOW QUIT IT!
Ariose
August 5th, 2009
12:57 pm
My name is cornholiooooooo!
doc
August 5th, 2009
12:58 pm
aaron you will see that line up from time to time and the plus minus figures with jj at 3 and zaza included in the mix will be about as good as it gets for the team as it was last year with the same mix. it isnt going to be starters or finishers though is my guess.
Ramon
August 5th, 2009
12:59 pm
Joe Smith is a valuable player, if you don’t think so go ask Kevin McHale (lol). Joe Smith is a steady presence, who gives you the same production no matter whats going on, without having plays ran for him. Another thing is if Horford had Joe Smith offensive ability, he would easily average 15-10, without plays ran for him. And Joe is the perfect person to help with Horford being young, a high lottery pick, with so much expectations on your shoulders.
Yupperz
August 5th, 2009
12:59 pm
AJ,
I thought that Ray was doing his best Astro Joe impression. Just from another viewpoint.
Coach D
August 5th, 2009
1:12 pm
Chris,
Ditto Big Ray re: Joe Smith.
Also, he was THE #1 pick in the draft a few years back. Obviously he’s lost a lot of the explosion, etc. he had when he was younger, but he is solid & about the best veteran big available. Oh wait, heard Priest Lauderdale might be looking for a team : )!
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
1:16 pm
Ramon ,
I have every reason to believe that Al Horford can develop offensive skills that will surpass those of Joe Smith. I agree that he could be a helping hand in his development.
None of our young bigs have had the luxury of playing with and practicing against a veteran big of any worth. They’ve needed that so badly, but they never got it. Nor has the organization ever brought in decent big men coaches to help them along.
Sund says he leaves that sort of thing up to the head coach. So who had the brilliant idea of adding Ty Hill? Heh…
Okay, so some guys get all the right trainers and specialists to help them. That’s great. Who wouldn’t want to work with Dwight Howard? Who got those specialists for him? Did he know who to call all by himself? Doubt it. I’ll give him credit for doing his homework, but somebody had to tell him who to go to for help.
And Dwight has had veteran bigs to play next to (and with). He’s had Tony Battie at the least.
While Dwight gets the praise for what is obviously evidence of a great support system (and I’m not just talking about the Magic organization), our own guys get scoffed at and criticized for who they go and train with. Really. What has this organization done to help them along? Who has been telling them where to go to get help from specialists?
Has Mark Price proven to be a big help when it comes to free throws and shooting? Does Ty Hill tutor and fine tune our bigs into savvy players on the block? Should someboby whisper a recommendation in the ears of Josh and Al?
Are these guys truly lacking in work ethic and desire to get better? Should we just assume that they “just don’t get it?”
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
1:18 pm
Coach D,
You just ain’t right. Priest Lauderdale, ugh! Prior to him, I didn’t know there was such a thing as a 7′4″ guy who played below the rim.
realsquawk
August 5th, 2009
1:22 pm
I was kind of looking forward to contract year Joe Johnson, then again he really has given enough of to the team to not have a that stipulation put on him. A contract extension of a reasonable price would be nice 3 years ascending or five years descending would be great, but i doubt he ever signs for something so ludicrous.
You really need to worry about Mike Woodson because if we sign joe Smith and garret siler with the addition of his point guard and jamal crawford he has no more excuses there will be nothing this team is lacking and their will finally be coaches fired with lesser teams and probably better records.
Rachel
August 5th, 2009
1:34 pm
I am excited to hear about the contract extension for Joe Johnson, but what about Flip Murray. Hawks shouldn’t let this guy go.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
1:41 pm
realsquawk- I hope you aren’t counting on Siler to give anything valuable to the team this year. The guy is a project at best. If he even makes the team he will see minutes like Randolph Morris.
not saying that someday, somewhere he couldn’t be better than RandMo, which is setting the bar VERY LOW, but he is not going to help us this year.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
1:43 pm
Tony- I did read what you said, and it doesn’t make any sense. If you don’t believe me, look at the other comments.
O'Brien
August 5th, 2009
1:44 pm
I like the fact that Sund is talking extension. I look for JJ extension talks to be at least 5 years, $80 mil. Because if he becomes an UFA next year, a team that lost out on LeBron/Wade/Bosh etc might be willing to overpay for JJ.
Ray,
Good point. Who did Al, ZaZa, Josh practice with to help their game out? Lo “popcorn” Wright? AJ has been asking for another big man coach, and I agree. What has Ty Hill done to be the big man coach? I havent seen any improvements in the post game of our bigs.
Sign Joe Smith and let Ty Hill go. We need a new big man coach, although I dont see Woody making any changes…
Ben Jenkins
August 5th, 2009
1:46 pm
Ray,
Your mom.
Hoops
August 5th, 2009
1:49 pm
Johnny Hazeltine,
You are exactly correct. SOMEBODY HAS TO GO!
I have been saying this for weeks now, but alot of people don’t want to hear it. The core group is JJ, Marvin, Josh S, Horford & Zaza. Crawford and Teague could become core, but not yet. Somebody in this core group has to go! We can’t afford all of them!
I have said many times that Josh S. will be the one to go eventually. JJ’s extention is being worked on now & Marvin is getting ready to re-sign. Horford will re-sign next summer. Zaza just re-signed for 4 years. All of these players are playing their natural position. Josh is a great athlete, but he is a PF in a SF body. The salary cap will not allow us to keep them all. Josh is the logical one to go when the time comes.
Volman
August 5th, 2009
1:56 pm
Big Ray,
I do believe you need to add in that Howard has Patrick Chewing as a bench coach on the Magic.
Ty Hill<Patrick Chewing
Blowrenzen Wright should have retired…a LONG TIME AGO.
Hawk n the Ham
August 5th, 2009
1:56 pm
YES!! Extend Jo Jo’s contract, please. I would HATE to have wasted that $80 on my #2 jersey for nothing
Volman
August 5th, 2009
1:57 pm
Hoops—Josh Smith is not going ANYWHERE.
Mystikal
August 5th, 2009
1:59 pm
For all those knocking Joe, who do you want. You really think Lebron, Wade, Bosh is going to come here? Drop some names..
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
2:03 pm
Ray, I don’t know that the Magic suggested that Howard work out with those guys. Maybe his agent did. I don’t know that the Hawks haven’t suggested who our young guys should practice with in the off-season. Nor do I know if their agents offer any assistance. I do know (based on what I heard as recently as 2 days), that the Hawks players do not take the time to learn from guys like Dennis Scott or ‘Nique (each of whom are employed by the Hawks, live in Atlanta and travel with the team). At least, that’s what I heard Dennis Scott say on the radio this week. If the younger players don’t know how to find trainers like Howard did, one would think that talking to readily available experts like Scott & ‘Nique would be a good start.
Horford could sign an extension as early as next summer but it would require the owners to pay the luxury tax, so I doubt that happens. He becomes a free agent the same year when Evans and Crawford’s contracts expire. If Sund is successful in negotiating a starting salary of less than $10M for Horford, then he would absorb Evans’ slot.
Anything else?
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
2:05 pm
Mystikal, I agree. I’m not sure that I would offer Joe a 5 year extension but I am certain that I don’t want to assume that we can easily find another near All-Star quality player to easily plug into the line-up.
realsquawk
August 5th, 2009
2:08 pm
daniel, daniel
who knows what Randolph is capable of I sure don’t. really when you think about it Solomon JOnes is gone, the wear and tear of the season and minute accumulation has proven itself. so we know that players are going to have to get more rest so we can be healthier when the real season starts.
So Siler will hopefully get more playing time simply because he is bigger and stronger than randolph morris.
honestly the teams offensive scheme doesnt even call for a offensively skilled big man it is the lack of perimeter defense that makes our reserve bigas look so bad.
Cedric
August 5th, 2009
2:10 pm
I think we really do need Joe Smith in here to help out our bigs and show them how to effectively use their bodies. Also I do wonder who is going to end up with Flip because as he showed us last year he can really help a team out in so many ways offensively. We can use all the extra firepower we can muster in this new and improved Eastern Conf.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 5th, 2009
2:22 pm
It’s good that they are starting contract extension talks now, so that it gives them a chance of getting this done before the season starts. Better to not have this as a distraction during the season. But I would like to see some more progress on the Joe Smith signing…
Dekaturkingz
August 5th, 2009
2:27 pm
If You Don’t Pay Joe Then What? Who’s Going To Be Our Star Player? If Joe Leaves We Will Still Need A Go To Guy. Pay Joe Now, Worry About 2010 Later!
Sekou Smith
August 5th, 2009
2:31 pm
I don’t agree with Schultz or anyone else that thinks the Hawks should let Joe go into a contract year. That’s counterproductive for a team still on the rise, in addition to being flat out crazy. There are no safeguards for keeping him next summer and if you lose a player of that caliber there is absolutely no guarantee you’ll be able to replace him with a player of comparable or better ability on the free agent market.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
2:39 pm
I am with you on that one Sekou. 100%
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
2:42 pm
realsquawk- everyone who has ever watched Randolph Morris play is capable of seeing what kind of player he is. He is at best a nice pick up player at run and shoot.
Siler will not be able to contribute anything significant next year. Please stop with these silly dreams and trying to look at a you tube video of 10 secs. to form your opinions. I am not saying I don’t like the guy, heck, I don’t know the guy. But he is a 7footer that played Div II ball, at an average level, who got passed over twice by every team in the league. Got it?
Melvin
August 5th, 2009
2:45 pm
Amen, Sekou. A smart team will not let their franchise player test the FA market. Schultz needs to crawd back under his rock. He doesn’t follow the Hawks, so his option on the Hawks are ill-advised…
Melvin
August 5th, 2009
2:47 pm
I meant* so his opinion on the Hawks are ill-advised.
bigeasy830
August 5th, 2009
2:53 pm
Why do you people want Joe Smith? What have Joe Smirth ever done in his career but be a bust of 1st overall pick. He will not and can not help lead us to the next level.
gamer
August 5th, 2009
2:56 pm
Keeping the scorer, Joe ’smokin gun’ Johnson around best suits the Hawks and its fan base. Eventually, with the right hunger, the Hawks are Eastern Conference Champions.
What about Josh Smith? Is Josh Smith working on his low-post game? Woody should have him in the gym developing Josh’s low-post game.
I remember Woody’s play days at Broad Ripple High School in Indiana. He had a soft off the glass jump-shot. A nice low-post game.
cp
August 5th, 2009
3:00 pm
I like what Sund is doing. I would probably offer JJ a 3 year extension..Are we bringing Hunter into camp? Good to see Siler is choosing to come to camp with us. And like somebody said earlier, I really wish we would take advantage of letting some of the young guys sitting on the end of the bench go to the NBDL.
tyler
August 5th, 2009
3:01 pm
As far as I can tell, we have Zaza and Horford as contributing signed bigs.
Anyone who thinks adding a Joe Smith to that rotation will not help, is a Morris, Siler, and whoever else these unproven players are, dreamer.
willie
August 5th, 2009
3:01 pm
Thrilled to hear this. All star caliber players are tough to come by…lock him down!
Blast
August 5th, 2009
3:02 pm
Hawks moving on up in the world. More national tv games, more games on NBA tv, Garrett Siler is coming to camp, Marvin will be extended, Joe Smith hopefully will come aboard and Sekou is churning out multiple blogs. Who would have thunk it? Next season schedule looks to be the best Hawks have had in 3 years.
And make no mistake. Smart move by Sund in trying to extend Joe Johnson’s contract. For one, it shows love for the only star that ever wanted to play with Hawks in this decade. The guy that got the Hawks out of a 13 win season and finally into the playoffs. And Joe was hurt in the last playoffs too. Dude still has a lot of ball left to play.
Also, make no mistake, lots of teams are going to lose out on the so called free agency bonanza coming up next year. I see most of those players, Wade, LeBron, Kobe staying with their present teams. So teams like NY that has been hoarding money will turn to consolation prized players like Joe, Chris Bosh, Boozer and co. So Sund smart to try and extend his precious shooting guard now.
With more national exposure comes more Hawks scrutiny, especially on Woodson. Hope he remembers ESPN laughing at his offence, and Kenny Smith clowning him on TNT. Hope he returns with more tricks in his offensive arsenal. Let’s win some of those televised games.
Go Hawks, GO!
Mystikal
August 5th, 2009
3:06 pm
Don’t know who was complaining about Zaza and Randmo, but the guys do come off THE BENCH! No one is expecting a whole lot from them. Zaza gives good minutes and effort to rest the starters. Agree Randmo is a bust, think Siler can be better than him (not sayin’ much). Mainly these guys just have to not blow the lead or put us in a whole when they are in the game.
KevinA
August 5th, 2009
3:08 pm
JJ is fairly paid, some may think he is slightly over paid. I would offfer JJ 14 mil a year for 4 years and give him a chance for incentives like $250,000 for an extra assist per game, $250,000 for .450 for FG% and $500.000 for 56 wins. I wish we had the same thing with Bibby and Crawford/Flip. We need their scoring but in the context of playing inside out with ball rotation.
doc
August 5th, 2009
3:11 pm
love it when someone else sees lorens for what he was in his career, a popcorn man.
Sautee
August 5th, 2009
3:14 pm
truth-serum,
You said this: HAS ANY ONE MEASURED ZAZA KONCAK’S VERTICAL LEAP? DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY HE IS A CONTINUING TURNOVER?
Zaza’s turnovers this past year: 1.18 / game in 19.1 minutes.
Which is a ratio of 1 turnover every 16.18 minutes.
Your boy Flip (TOUCHE’ ON THE FLIP. THE GUY CAN FLAT OUT PLAY.)
made 1.6 turnovers / game in 24.7 minutes.
That’s a ratio of 1 turnover every 15.38 minutes.
Hmmm….. looks like you SHOULD be down on Flip for turnovers instead of Zaza.
Flip turns it over at a greater rate than your whipping boy. Oh the irony!
Mike is back
August 5th, 2009
3:19 pm
Sekou, I was reading an article on 2010 FAs…I want to say it was on Yahoo. It had an interesting scenario to support your point. The point of the argument was that if the Big names guys like LBJ, Wade, and Bosh all sign extension with their perspective teams, which is very likely given the horrid economic condition…then JJ will become one the top FA on the Market in 2010. JJ has proven his worth…more importantly…signing JJ to an extension makes it easier to get a bigger deal done going forward should things turn sour.
After the top tier guards like Kobe, LBJ, and Wade…how many other guys are that much better than JJ…if he wants to sign an extension…I say lets get it done. I don’t want to see another Smoove, Chill, and Marvin episode in 2010…sitting around waiting to resign your guy…while all the top FAs get gobble up.
Mystikal
August 5th, 2009
3:21 pm
Sekou, first welcome back from vacation, good to have you back. Fully agree with you about keeping JJ sooner than later. He is a top 20 player in the league and the best hawks have seen in forever. Can’t worry about next summer now, cause if we don’t win more problems will be created. Don’t want JJ to feel neglected by us not stepping up to make him feel wanted. They can say what they want, all the success we are experiencing began when we traded for him. And he’s consistently gotten better every year, despite being played too much.
bigeasy830, we don’t want Joe Smith the #1 pick. We want the experience role player that knows and does the little things. Also the guy that can’t help Marv, Josh, and Al mature their games.
Daniel, agree not likely that Siler will amount to much, but looking at everything that has happened successfully for this organization past two years, wouldn’t rule out him being a decent 8th man.