Atlanta Hawks: Package Deal for J.J., LeBron and D-Wade?
Will D-Wade, Joe, and LeBron break bread to decide their futures?
So D-Wade seemed to suggest that he’s not down with signing with his hometown Chicago Bulls. His reasoning–that the Bulls don’t seem to be loyal to their former players–seems a bit suspect, but whatever.
The more interesting nugget for the Hawks is Wade’s contention that he, Le Bron and J.J. will sit down prior to July 1 and discuss their free-agency strategy before making decisions. From the Chicago Tribune’s Fred Mitchell:
“(Free agency) has been three years coming. We’ve discussed it prematurely, at different times. (But) you don’t know what guys are thinking and where they’re going. I think we’ll all sit down, and before one of us makes a decision, all of us will have spoken to each other and (listened to the) thinking. A lot of decisions (will be based on) what other players are willing to do and what other guys want to do. So it’s not just a ‘me’ situation here. We all have to look and see what each other is thinking.”
The first thing I thought was, Bosh won’t be a part of that discussion? I mean, Wade, J.J. LeBron are all perimeter guys who dominate the ball yet they are going to try to figure out if they can all end up at the same place while Bosh, a power forward, isn’t included? Sorry, that’s more suspect reasoning by Wade.
More to the point, I don’t buy the notion that these guys are going to make decisions based on “what other guys want to do.” Free agents make decisions based on straight cash, homey. It is the ultimate “me” situation, as it should be.
Yeah, winning is nice as long as the money is right, and no guy wants to be in a completely miserable situation. Considering all the teams with beacoup cap space, it’s plausible that two of these guys can play for the same team and still get their money. But the next time I see a player in his prime give up substantial money for the chance to play with a certain other player, it will be the first time.
– AJC wise guy Jeff Schultz digs through Rick Sund’s coaching hires and is not impressed.
Interesting that Sund had a Woody-like situation in Dallas, with Dick Motta improving the team each season but never getting the Mavs past the second round (the difference being that Motta already was a proven head coach). Sund then brought in pedigreed coach, John McLeod, and fired him less than two years after making the West finals.
So maybe Sund isn’t too high on the “proven head coach” angle. Or, looking at Schult’z list, maybe it’s just that Sund’s never had much success hiring coaches, period.
– Avery Johnson is set to interview with the Nets, who can offer a better situation than first meets the eye.
Forget their 12-70 record for a minute and notice New Jersey can clear $30 million or so in cap space, has a mega-rich owner who intends to spend big, and boasts former Avery protege Devin Harris at point guard and a pretty good core of young players. Oh, the Nets also have the No. 3 pick, where they could get Derrick Favors, Evan Turner or DeMarcus Cousins.
The Hawks are a better team right now but the Nets can’t be discounted. If Johnson wants to take on the challenge of building a talented young team while making a lot of cash (and getting some media shine) in the process, Jersey is a good spot. Nets boss Rod Thorn said he will talk to four to six candidates.
MC
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100 comments Add your comment
Sautee
May 27th, 2010
1:49 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
SWAT Native
May 27th, 2010
1:56 pm
I was wondering if the league would fine Gearon for his LBJ comments like the did Mark Cuban. But, if they can fine him for his hypothetical statement, how can D Wade announce that he, JJ and LBJ will be meeting to discuss what they want to do and not get penalized?
MJ
May 27th, 2010
1:56 pm
I would love to see the three guys on a team together, but not here in Atlanta! Too many fair weather/band wagon fans here! They won’t have your back when you are losing!
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
1:58 pm
THE THREE STOOGES!
Co-Sign : 3 BLIND MICE!
Ask Wade’s wife @ loyalty!!!! Didn’t Wade also do “STAR – JONES” after she lost a thousand LBS.?
Can you say – “Stretch – Marks”?
Listen, these 3 guys ALL play the same position & they ALL play defense! Mr. Johnson playing the BEST perimeter – 1 on 1! The other two atre like Josh & play weak side blocks – purely opportunistic & athletic ability! NOT fundamentally sound at all styles!
These THREE will never be THE BIG THREE! They are all sore losers from the play – offs and are ALL sucking SOUR – GRAPES while. The real champions are competing for a title. Concussions and all!
These are generation X – Players! Please don’t insult the Greats of the Past – who played the game the right way!
Unless you are talking baseball rules? You can not buy a RING in basketball!
There is NO Steinbrenner in Baseball! &
There is NO crying in Baseball!
These guys are being a distraction to these Play – Offs! & That is just WRONGE!
We should ALL go back to talking Play-Offs NOW & ignore them!
MC please get us back on track with a better Blog – Topic!
M C – please don’t. Drink this Kool-Aide!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s Suicidal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
2:02 pm
Correction:
There is NO Steinbrenner in Basketball! &
There is NO crying in Baseball!
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
2:11 pm
BTW
If these 3 clowns play together?
Who’s the Center & Who’s the PG & who’s the PF?
Wade has divorce & child custody issues – he is desperate for MONEY to pay his Half + poss child support! He will look out for #1!
What team can pay all three Max-Money legally (esp if Chicago is NOT loyal)?
There are cap rules to create parity – so this is called smoke & mirrors!
To me it seems like three brats trying top ban together & bully their teams into submission.
There is NO mention of winning a Championship as far as I’ve heard.
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
2:15 pm
Oh Yeah & Who will play the BENCH?
bigdave
May 27th, 2010
2:25 pm
oh how i miss 90’s basketball…
more buddy.. buddy garbage. thats what seperates Kobe from these characters. Kobe embraces the “bad guy” role. the villain. cut throat, i dont like you… the queen’s teammates dont fear him.. Kobe’s do.. so did MJ’s.. thats why Kobe’s still playing.. some guys just aint cut from that cloth.
Kobe is..
say hello…
James
May 27th, 2010
2:33 pm
Cant for the life of me understand why Joe Johnson was not moved before the trade deadline.There is not much of a scoring drop off between he and Jamal Crawford.I dont think the time responds well to Joe dribbling the ball for 15 seconds looking for a shot.Joe is not Batman he is Robin forced to play Batman’s role.Let him walk.
Hawks fans: Summer speculation | Atlanta Hawks: Fan Nest
May 27th, 2010
2:40 pm
[...] Okay, back to the topic at hand. While the conversation in media circles has been usually about which star free agent player will go where, things have taken a turn for the more…oh, I just about can’t find the words for it. And THIS time, it’s not simply some columnist or pundit somewhere trying to think up something new and clever to say. No, this latest batch of preposterous possibilities comes from the free agents-to-be themselves (Dwyane Wade being the mouthpiece in this case). Or so it has been reported. Personally, I think the idea of the top free agents of this summer getting together to discuss their future destinations is either nonsense. Or could there be an unseen nugget of truth to Wade’s statements? Hey, don’t take my word for it, check out Atlanta Hawks beat writer Michael Cunningham, as he weighs in on the matter and tells it like it is. [...]
Hawk Str8Talk
May 27th, 2010
2:51 pm
I would like to just repeat (as I did on my blog) – there must be pressure on our organization to interview more than 3 people (2 of which are former Sund employees). I will fill more comfortable when I know that we’ve vetted about 6 candidates and I was saying this BEFORE I saw how bad Sund has been at selecting coaches in the past. I mean seriously…Derm got an interview. Be concerned Hawks fans…
Keeping it Real N ATL
May 27th, 2010
2:51 pm
Admit it, you people are bitter at JJ because he made his comments in the playoffs. This is a business! The man has skillz and is very valuable. You keep talking about the old NBA, I hate to hear comparisons of old. That was then and this is now. Every era is different and the game changes by the decade. They did not have the three point line in the forties and the could not dunk the ball, but we still have hall of fame members from that era. It’s apples and oranges. I would take JJ, Bron, Wade on any team in any city and especially in ATLANTA! Stop hating. There is nothing wrong with Brons attitude. Matter of fact, for his age he is a very poised and mature young man. All of these guys carry themselves exceptionally well. They are not robots and they will on occasion have frustrations and issues as we all do. “Judge not, less ye be judged themselves”! Some of you so called ATLien FANs sicken me.
Gwinnett Fred
May 27th, 2010
3:58 pm
Joe’s gone folks – deal with it.
Sign as good of a player as you can and spend the leftove $10 to make the Thrashers respectable!
Gwinnett Fred
May 27th, 2010
4:01 pm
JAMES–
You can’t figure out why we didn’t trade JJ before the trade deadline? Well, who would have traded for him – a team with what they felt like was a shot to go all the way – RIGHT.
Well, wasn’t that the definition of the HAWKS right up until the post season.
Seriously, if that’s the best comment you can come up with regarding JJ – then you just need to go pick up trash along the freeway or something, cause your basketball IQ isn’t your strong suit!
BIG JIM
May 27th, 2010
4:09 pm
Forget LeeBrawn James and D-Whine Wade. Move Joe Johnson(Mr.Softy)and
possibly Marvin Williams(don’t ever draft a UNC player again). Move up in the draft and look at adding much needed defensive help in free agency. Do we really need Mo Evans too? Get Gordon Heyward(big scoring/rebounding/ballhandling WINNER).
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 27th, 2010
4:40 pm
LMAO@half the comments on this blog….especially the one about Woodson pleading for a job to the Russian billionaire….and the Wade/Star Jones comments
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 27th, 2010
4:43 pm
These guys are all emotionally wrecked.
JJ realizes he’s a 2nd tier player.
Wade has been a team that has been mediocre of below for a few years now.
Lebron cant get over the hump and get a title, plus his teammate is tattooing his mama.
They are all just trying to “find the light”
JJ reunites with Woodson and the new “big 3″ in NJ for the Russian billionaire mobsta????
Najeh Davenpoop
May 27th, 2010
4:44 pm
ESPN has changed their report to say that Bosh will also be included in this little roundtable discussion.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 27th, 2010
4:44 pm
Wade has been on a team that was mediocre or below for a few years now.* I mean
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 27th, 2010
4:46 pm
lol@lastest reply on that ESPN link
mgsjones (5/27/2010 at 4:45 PM)
Report Violation
Asianflash7 (5/27/2010 at 4:40 PM) Report Violation Joe Johnson says he utterly refuses to play under Pat Riley
Who cares what he thinks? Over-glorified scrub
terrell
May 27th, 2010
4:48 pm
Gearon tampering? Wtf!
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 27th, 2010
4:54 pm
Woodson probably found out about what Gearon said first, and texted Stern instantly. Snitch.
terrell
May 27th, 2010
4:54 pm
So Gearon says he’ll be willing to subject the team to the luxury tax if he could sign Lebron to a max contract. Yeah right!
terrell
May 27th, 2010
4:55 pm
Lets see: Lebron or Marvin at sf? Hmmm???
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 27th, 2010
4:56 pm
When are they going to report about who’s going to bring the cake, ice cream and pizza to the get together? JJ is reportedly bringing the wine coolers.
terrell
May 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Lol at OMac.
terrell
May 27th, 2010
4:59 pm
Why would 4 FA’s get together to discuss contracts? Ever heard of cell phones? This is almost laughable.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
May 27th, 2010
5:08 pm
lol how did they decide to do this…and more importantly who invited JJ?? Who’s next? John Salmons?
terrell
May 27th, 2010
5:41 pm
They forgot to invite Lorenzen Wright.I’m sure he’ll bring the popcorn. lol!
David McDavid
May 27th, 2010
5:43 pm
Gearon, your broke azz cant afford Lebron. Wtf?
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
5:47 pm
Yall forget?
LeBron told us he was gonna meet with his TEAM? Now we know who his TEAM is, LOL!
Knowledge Quest
May 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
I dont think three perimeter guys….wait joe can play the small forward and lebron is a forward and hmmm… wade a point. Still need a center. That team would go no where without a center. He would not have to score just be a shot blocking expert and then… Dynasty. no more double and triple Joe!
Knowledge Quest
May 27th, 2010
5:59 pm
Hawks management is begging for a way to shake the past where they havent done a d a m n thing to get a team a championship.
FIRE SUND!
Knowledge Quest
May 27th, 2010
6:01 pm
JOE WOULD HAVE STAYED AND LEBRON WOULD HAVE COME HERE IF WOODSON WAS STILL HERE BUT NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo!
terrell
May 27th, 2010
6:02 pm
Just saw Gearon at WAMU trying to borrow 25,000 $.
terrell
May 27th, 2010
6:03 pm
JJ and Lebron in Woodson’s offense? Please. They’ll Iso us to death.
AUG24
May 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
LeBron will resign with Cleveland because of the max money. Cleveland will not sign and trade. DWade will be back in Miami. Joe Johnson is 50 /50 for the Hawks. I could see Atlanta signing and trading Joe. Atlanta cannot win a championship with Joe as their main guy. He probably has 2 to 3 good years in him. We would have to sign him to some 6 year contract and eat the last 3 years. Let him go. Good move for the long run.
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
8:24 pm
Terrell
WAMU was acquired by a bigger Fish! It is now Chase Manhattan. FYI
Dept. of Unintended Irony
May 27th, 2010
8:32 pm
“Admit it, you people are bitter at JJ because he made his comments in the playoffs.”
“Stop hating.”
“Judge not, less ye be judged themselves”
In the very same post.
ROFLMAO!!!!!
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
8:32 pm
BIG JIM
For the love of God! The Hawks can’t move Joe & Marvin NOWHERE!
JOE is an UFA!
Please just go away & grow something BIGGER than what is that BIG!
drmaryb
May 27th, 2010
9:22 pm
Kobe & Artest rings of MJ & Rodman
The common denominator being Phil Jackson
The Hawks need a head case on their roster too
Sautee
May 27th, 2010
9:43 pm
Truth-serum (Knowledge Quest),
You are seriously deluded if you think LeBron would come here.
But that’s not surprising from one who thought:
1. That Sund had drafted Marvin and Sheldon.
2. That Horford had been here for 5 years.
3. That the coaches of the league “conspired” to put Horford on the All-Star team so we wouldn’t go after a Center.
4. That Zaza only got so many offensive rebounds because he was too lazy to get back on defense.
5. That the center post is NOT about rebounding
6. That we needed a center like Darryl Dawkins and his career 6.1 rebounds a game
7. That Horford has “peaked” at age 23.
Shall I go on………?
sam'l
May 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
There are several billion people on this planet…All Sund needs to do is pick one…..a strategic coach who can put the pieces together. We have a core of 4 great players…..trade any of the rest or a combination for a rough and tumble center who wants to win.
This scenario is subject to having Joe Johnson who put down enough shots last year and played good enough defense to be a bona fide star.
Old Hawks Fan
May 28th, 2010
9:19 am
The Inmates are running the Aslyum…………………WTF!
jroc
May 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
Joe come on man you can’t compare to Lebron or Wade man How in the world did you get in the discussion with these guys you must kissed a whole heap of butt.Stop brown nosing man and being a follower these guys are marketable your not.A lot of the fans in Atl don’t even know how your voice sound You can’t even make commercials in your home town.You are a cool layed back cat, but you need to be your own man and Man up in your own town.Excuse me Joe…..wipe your nose it has a brown smudge on it.
ryan
May 29th, 2010
9:08 pm
If the Thrashers are up for sale and the Spirit group is broke then will the Hawks be on the block. I hope Mr. Blank or the guy who owned the Dream will buy the Hawks.
HawkTalk
May 30th, 2010
9:11 am
Trade jj & marvin for d. wade…i know jj is a free agent and can sign wherever he wants, just work something out.
Albert Spearman
May 30th, 2010
2:31 pm
This type of collusion by the 4 NBA free agents is part of what the 2 Live Stews call, the SISSIFICATION OF AMERICA! Could you have imagined a frustrated Dr. J, deciding that he was tired of losing to Boston or the Lakers every year, conspiring with Moses Malone to go and play for the Lakers to win an Easy title? NO!! Did Jordan turn tail and run when he couldn’t get past the BAD BOYS? NO!! Did Kobe conspire with other free agents because he had grown accustomed to the luxury of playing with Shaq? NO!! If anything, he MANFULLY embraced the challenge of winning without Shaq. These guys will turn the NBA into Major League Baseball, where the guy with the biggest checkbook wins in the offseason! I watch sporting events to escape the realities of everyday life. Not be reminded AGAIN that the rich guy always wins!
WC.ATL.Hawks.WC
June 2nd, 2010
12:31 pm
I say we dont worry about the big “3″ this year. I say we go after bosh and let Crawford play starting role, as we seenthis past year he can handle the rock. Bosh did go to GT, he said he liked it in Ga so bring his ass home where he can help bring a ring to the ATL!
kdawg
June 3rd, 2010
4:40 pm
please hawks ownership let joe go! bring back josh childress trade bibby and marvin for a big or point and lets run teams out of tha gym.