Atlanta Hawks: J.J. willing to play for less money in New York?
ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard says the Knicks will meet with J.J. in Los Angeles soon after free agency opens at midnight Thursday.
That’s no surprise since New York is one of a handful of teams with the cap space to offer J.J. a max deal and it’s always been speculated J.J. would look at the Knicks because of his his strong relationship with coach Mike D’Antoni from their Phoenix days. Until now I’d always heard New York wasn’t very interested in Johnson, but apparently that’s not the case. Broussard says the Knicks think J.J. can sell LeBron on teaming up in New York, which seems to be kind of a backwards arrangement.
The most interesting part of Broussard’s story is that he reports Johnson is willing to take less money from the Knicks, who can’t pay him as much as the Hawks due to salary-cap rules. According to Broussard, J.J. believes he can make up the roughly $25 million difference through endorsements and stock shares in Madison Square Garden. (Edit: I’m pretty sure paying a guy in stock options would be against NBA rules because it is a circumvention of the salary cap. Edit2: A helpful reader emailed to point out the league has already addressed this specific situation.) If the Hawks resign themselves to J.J.’s departure, he could get the $25 million and they could get an asset through a sign-and-trade.
Don’t ask me about the stocks, but J.J. hasn’t been a very marketable player, nor has he been very enthusiastic about marketing himself. Not sure how much that changes even playing in New York, especially if he’s on a team with either LeBron or Amare. And I’m still waiting to see all these older free agents willing to forsake $20-30 million in salary just so they can be more famous, play on a better team, bring in extra endorsements, live in a better city or whatever.
In any event, J.J. taking less money to play elsewhere is the scenario most feared by Atlanta . Rumblings that J.J. may be willing to do just that before free agency has already begun will only increase the Hawks’ nervousness about his departure. Getting the word out there certainly gives J.J. more leverage with the Hawks, who at some point may have to decide if they will give J.J. a six-year, maximum-level salary.
I wouldn’t think J.J. would be a New York kind of guy–if he thinks he got it bad here after fading in the playoffs, wait until he’s the goat in that city. I’ve always thought the Bulls would be J.J.’s most likely destination if he left Atlanta. Just a couple days ago K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported that J.J. was ready to make an early commitment to the Bulls.
But then Jonathan Abrams wrote in the New York Times that the Bulls are the favorites to land LeBron and Bosh, which would not leave money for J.J. Then again, maybe Bosh really is headed for Miami and then J.J. and LeBron can team up in Chicago.
Already you can see how free agency is going to be a pretty silly season.
MC
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311 comments Add your comment
Mal
June 27th, 2010
8:19 pm
I think we need to let Joe go through a sign and trade with NY for Billy Walker and Earl Barron. Walker and Barron are not big name players however they will give us good valuable minutes off the bench. Then we go out and sign Salmons also Drew Gooden, there is not that big of a drop off between JJ and Salmons.
New Line:
C: Hordford/Pachulia/Barron
PF: J.Smith/D. Gooden/Barron
SF: M. Williams/Mo Evans/B. Walker
SG: J. Salmons/Jamal Crawford/Jordan Crawford
PG: Teague/Bibby/Jamal Crawford
rusty
June 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
let that arrogant choker leave
John
June 27th, 2010
8:26 pm
Atlanta will be back in the lottery next year if Joe leaves I hope Joe leaves but the franchise will be scarred for awhile if he does. The Hawks ownerships sucks and I can understand why Joe wants to leave he wants to win and staying in Atlanta is not going to give him that chance to win. If he leaves he will be taking less money that lets you know it’s not all about money to him he wants to win also if I was him I would go to New York and help build that franchise back up just like he did when he came to the Atlanta.
i_am_soulstar
June 27th, 2010
8:30 pm
bigdave @ 8:03
lmao.. well said
ryan
June 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
ASG say there not for sale BUT THEY ARE NOW!
JP
June 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
Joe Johnson, please read:
New York will eat you alive. You think Hawks fans are mean? New Yorkers will send you home from every game crying. For your own sake, please stay in a city that doesn’t care about your team that much. You and your mediocre play will be much better off for it.
i_am_soulstar
June 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
Check out how players ranked in PER in the league this past season..
Josh Smith #20
Al Horford #31
Joe Johnson #32
Jamal Crawford #43
i_am_soulstar
June 27th, 2010
8:44 pm
Oh here’s the link
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics?&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fhollinger%2fstatistics
Whatever Joe
June 27th, 2010
8:56 pm
If this is true, he better make sure they also sign a free agent who is better than he is.
Uncle Paulie
June 27th, 2010
8:58 pm
Hey, Atlanta Spirit, there goes your ship…the one that’s sinking.
Chip Shot
June 27th, 2010
9:04 pm
Heres what i have for ya:
Either sign and trade Joe to Chicago for luol deng or joakim noah and a 1st round draft pick
OR
Let Joe walk, sign Gay to offer sheet and let griz match it then give them marvin and bibby because they need a vet PG in a bad way to help mike conley along.
dap01
June 27th, 2010
9:10 pm
We will not know how the Kni cks JJ in the playoffs because they will not sniff the playoffs. But if he chokes like he did in ATL he will be treated many times worse than here.
Mr. Riley
June 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
Let JJ ride out….he’s not a proven leader and he breaks under pressure to much….we need someone who can get us over the hump…the put out in the playoffs against orlando was terrible…ATL would be dumb to give him that type of money, especially since his leadership skills show otherwise for warranting that type of money….
newkid
June 27th, 2010
9:15 pm
From all appearances the BASG need to MSG stock options far more than Joe does. Maybe there’s some clever route Sund (oops, I meant Stevie Wonder) can take to sign JJ, then trade him to the Knicks for MSG stock options. Who knows, we might even be able to sign a few more vets in 2020 with the proceeds from those options, right Stevie Wonder?
Real Truth
June 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
If ASG offers JJ a max 6 year contract then he stays. This will be JJ’s last big deal and 30 million is too much to leave on the table. JJ is unlike Lebron, in the fact that lebron can make up that difference in endorsements. JJ is just so low key and not a very marketable athlete.
However, I don’t think the going broke ASG will offer JJ a max contract. I thought the drafting of Jordan crawford was a very telling sign that they have no plans to sign Joe. And I love how they are trying to set the stage to blame the fans and local media by saying they are worried about the negative comments toward Joe. This is the biggest clusterf**k ownership in American sports history. In the entire history of sports there has never been a group of owners embroiled in a 5 year court battle for control of a team. What a joke!
Grandad
June 27th, 2010
9:29 pm
For all those saying this & that;
don’t forget his *AGENT*
is not gonna leave $20 – $30 mil.->
on the table for sure !!!
-Guaranteed-
Folks get off Joe’s ass,
if he leaves, he leaves.
It’s his right.
He’s done much for our franchise.
Thank him & then simply say bye bye.
Rusty:;
One can say many things about Joe.
*Arrogant* is not one of them.
Careful throwing around the word ‘choker’,
you know – “throwing the 1st stone & all”.
Only the very special have a brass pair.
Manny
June 27th, 2010
9:30 pm
Joe Johnson isn’t worth a max contract. Let him go and play for the Knicks. Plus, he just told the Hawks fans that they aren’t worth worrying about.
It would be different if he had beef with management, but he doesn’t want to play for the Hawks fans, not just the management. I would sign and trade him to Phoenix for their center and bring back Josh Childress. He’s no JJ, but we will be deeper and more versatile.
Grandad
June 27th, 2010
9:30 pm
*9:29 PM 1st paragraph = Joe Johnson.
WalterEgo
June 27th, 2010
9:33 pm
I would do a Gallinari/Curry/1st for Bibby/resigned JJ trade. Curry’s expiring contract allows us to resign Crawford next year or push for Carmelo. Gallinari is a player, one that would fit in well in a motion offense system. He should complement Crawford well with Crawford 2.0 being the scorer off the bench (MW would go to the bench and despite many years on Crawford 2.0 would be his role player on the 2nd team offense). WE’d have to get a BU Pg…Trade Childress’ rights for a Pg?
Teague/?
Crawford/Crawford 2.0
Gallinari/MW
JS/MW
Horford/ZaZa
Grandad
June 27th, 2010
9:37 pm
O’Brien;;;
from last blog,
I tend to agree with Ken.
I’m opposed to trading Jamal.
I’m also leery of Salmons.
One other item…how can you be sure LD will not
start a rook…, one cannot say…just because his
predecessor would not, doesn’t mean Jack.?
was that a query or a statement?? [previous]
You could be correct – just, how do you know?
Chip Shot
June 27th, 2010
9:39 pm
gallinari is fn terrible
ryan
June 27th, 2010
9:40 pm
Yea i like the idea of signing Rudy Gay he is cheaper than Joe Johnson and better player. And have a enough money left over to get J. O’Neal or Heywood that the best we can do.
dawgindc
June 27th, 2010
9:46 pm
who cares…see ya JJ..you are overated and a ball hog..man you showed us in the playoffs that you are not a superstar…
The Hawks need to make a strong push for Dewayne Wade
Teresan
June 27th, 2010
9:47 pm
Good riddance to the lazy egotistical jerk.
John
June 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
Sign and Trade Joe Johnson to Memphis for Marc Gasol and Ronnie Brewer. We will have a legit Center and a Guard to replace Joe Johnson in Ronnie Brewer.
Joe
June 27th, 2010
9:51 pm
We cant win with J.J. save the $$$$ let him go!!!
ILL-logical
June 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
NBA exec says LaBron to Bulls a “done deal”
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/062810dnspolebronjameschicago.e655334d.html
A Real Basketball Consumer
June 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
Just like Atlanta to have the most success you’ve had in a decade, then turn around and run the best player out of town. Saw it with Dominique, Dale and Deion. Gotta love it.
CajunStorm
June 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
Well I’ve spent 30 minutes reading and although some are valid points most are wishful and uninformed dreams. The way I see it is if JJ is gone, and I believe he is, the only solutions as I see it are as follows (and some are painful):
#1 JJ stays and we send Jamal, Teague, and #1 draft pick to N.O. for Chris Paul.
#2 JJ walks and we PRAY Memphis sees something in Marvin and we S&T for RESTRICTED Free Agent Rudy Gay (14Mil/yr) for Marvin and #1 draft pick.
#3 Most Painful – S&T Joe to the Knicks for Eddy Curry and Gallinaro (sf) – That sounds sucky but we’d have both Curry’s and Jamal’s expiring contracts (about $25Mill/yr) to use as trade bait or with cheap azz ASG to let expire and have money to go after Carmelo after next year.
Can’t wait until July 1 and I HOPE we don’t get left in the dirt with our …..in our hands!!
JeJe
June 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
Giving Joe Johnson a Max contract will be the biggest mistake this franchise ever could make
1) do you really want to pay this guy circa 23M when he is 34? I will go out on a limb and say Joe has regressed already the last 1.5-2 years. Do you people really want to give a max contract to a guy who is INVISIBLE in the playoffs?
Jamal Crawford is EVERY bit as talented offensively as Joe. It’s not his fault he was drafted by a horrendous team and traded to 2 more horrendous teams. He DROPPED 50 POINTS ON DWYANE WADE. JAMAL + CHILLZ will easily make up for the loss of Joe.
The ASG doesn’t even need to spend extra money this summer if they want to win around 50 games next year. START JAMAL and TEAGUE and bring Chillz of the bench or start Jamal and Chillz at the 1 and 2 or even Chillz at the 3. There’s plenty of options.
And I do recall Gilbert Arenas taking a MASSIVE paycut to resign with the Wiz with the hopes of pursuing a title 2 years ago. He may have felt guilty about his injuries, or maybe he just thought the trio of him, Jamison and Butler, plus the other talented pieces they had, could’ve competed for the title (which most of us thought).
Summary: Joe is NOT worth a max contract. Let a team like the Knicks screw themselves over by signing him.
Jamal >>>>> Joe offensively and I will support that statement for a long time. Hell, I’d offer Jamal an extension right now. This guy will always give 100 % effort, something I can only say about 2 or 3 other Hawks players (Horford, Z, and Teague)
Grandad
June 27th, 2010
9:55 pm
WalterEgo:
That makes way too much sense.
Actually, I like it rather than Joe staying.
(1) We unload Bibby’s contract.
(2) Get a young *shooter in Gallinari (sp)
DG = High B-ball IQ
(3) Helps NY unload Curry *this yr*
(4) With prayer & faith perhaps Curry finally gets it.
*If not exp. contract*
(5) BU pg available in FA [Kyle Lowry]
or
*Anyone can defend better than Bibby*
*I imagine ol’ Paps probably can.
Remember – this is ASG & R.Sund,
whom I defended just a few wks. ago.
They may do a S&T for MSG stocks & a new dust-mop.
Chip Shot
June 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
“#3 Most Painful – S&T Joe to the Knicks for Eddy Curry and Gallinaro (sf) – That sounds sucky but we’d have both Curry’s and Jamal’s expiring contracts (about $25Mill/yr) to use as trade bait or with cheap azz ASG to let expire and have money to go after Carmelo after next year.”
carmelo has signed a 3 year extension or is on the verge of signing one so get that PIPE dream outta ur head
G-MAN013
June 27th, 2010
10:01 pm
What if you sign and trade JJ to NY for David Lee and Toney Douglas. Lee could be that energy guy off the bench snatching rebounds and scoring as a backup PF. Douglas could be that defensive minded PG the Hawks need on the bench plus he has the ability to score.
Then you use the MLE on John Salmons to replace JJs scoring role plus Salmons would play good defense.
I’m just going to assume Childress stays and he could replace Marvin at the SF spot.
Since you now have a solid SG lineup with Jordan and Salmons you can trade jamal and zaza/ jamal and bibby (both work on the trade machine) to the Cavs for Verajao and Mo Williams. Verajao could be the guy to play great post defense as well as do the little things to help us off the bench. Mo could provide veteran leadership for Teague and he can also knock down the open three in a ball movement offense.
C-Horford
PF-Smith
SF-Childress
SG-Salmons
PG-Mo Williams
C-Zaza or Verajao
PF-Lee
SF-Marvin
SG-Jordan Crawford
PG-Teague
Reserves: Bibby or Zaza, Douglas, Mo Evans
Now that is a solid group of 13 guys right there. That team has three former all stars in Horford, Mo Williams, and Lee. with potential all star in Josh Smith.
bigstack19
June 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
If Joe Johnson signs back up with the Hawks this team still isn’t better than losing badly in the 2nd round. If he leaves this is still a playoff team and probably a 2nd round playoff team in the East where Orlando appears to be the best team heading into next year with all the uncertainty in Boston. It won’t matter if LeBron signs in Chicago or New York or Cleveland because he is soft and can’t elevate his game enough in the playoffs even if he is paired with Bosh or Joe Johnson. Bosh along with Wade in Miami would probably be better than the Hawks unless Josh Smith finally becomes consistent and Teague and the new Crawford can play. Jamal Crawford can take Joe Johnson’s place in the lineup. I believe losing Joe Johnson isn’t going to hurt the Hawks that much because again by resigning him the Hawks use all of their cap space and are no closer to a championship and have no money to add depth to the bench.
gypsyjoe
June 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
I like JJ as much as anybody but I think we let JJ walk and Pick up Haywood and Salmons(if he opps out). For the same money or less. I think we would be a much better team.
ryan
June 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Worst nightmare for city of Atlanta Chicago gona be partying like its 1999.
gypsyjoe
June 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
Why would anybody trade jamal.Bad idea. we want to get stronger not tear team apart. geting rid of jj and jamal you get rid almost 38 points a game. WHY?
cdog
June 27th, 2010
10:16 pm
jeje,as usual buddy, you are right.we are headed for a mess as long as those have something to do with the hawks.its pathetic, star players would rather go to losing and mediocre like new york and chicago and not atlanta.you never hear or read about the hawks rumored to have someone coming to them.its a shame we’re stuck with people like ASG AND RICK SUND.
KevinM
June 27th, 2010
10:19 pm
You know what Atlanta has to prove this upcoming season? That this team with all parts in sync is better off than watching Woody and Joe try to lead us. That is where the flaw is…depending on Joe who is not a #1 on any team except us.
If there was any team that could afford to lose its #1 this offseason, it is us:
- Nowitski moving on would kill the Mavs.
- LeBron kills any chance for playoff games in Cleveland
- Pierce leavin would set the Celts back further that us.
- No Wade in Miami, no way they aren’t in the lottery next year.
- Amare and Bosh are 2 more huge losses for their team.
The best any of us can hope for are S&T. If any of these guys leave without compensation, I like the Hawks’ chances over anyone else in our position. That’s saying the this team will listen to LD.
Losing Joe totally changes our offense guaranteed without any further moves. We will have to find a new #1 and I will be fine with the attempt for someone to step up.
We might not win 53 without Joe next year, but we sure won’t lose 53 provided LD can get these guys to max out their talent.
This team could be something very special to the fans this upcoming year. Something about being down and out and then surprising the league with resiliency.
drmaryb
June 27th, 2010
10:27 pm
Who are these people on here? And, where do they come from?
1. S & T Joe? (Never mind commenting on that)
2. Just go get Wade? (Never mind)
3. Sign Bosh?
4. Trade Bibby & Marvin for CP3?
5. And it just don’t stop!
We can’t even resign our own UFA! Why not just say – sign Kobe, while you’re at it! If you’re gonna dream?
Dream Big!
Just Stop It!
Blame it all on ASG, for not adding real talent the 5 years we had Joe & Woody!
If Woody had a PG and a Center, maybe he would have run some different plays on
Offense and Defense. Can you cook a Filet, if all you got is beans and rice?
Sleepy
June 27th, 2010
10:29 pm
Im not gonna knock Joe I believe hes put in his work imo the question that should be asked is what would be resigning him for ? Is it to try to win a title or is it to keep the status quo and simply make the playoffs ?
drmaryb
June 27th, 2010
10:33 pm
Arenas
…Is making 20 Million/year and has played in 42 games in the past 2 years!
How in the hell is that taking a pay cut to stay in DC with the hopes of winning a Title?
You don’t take 20 Million/year to win a Title – you take 20 Million/year to put it in the Bank!
Just Stop it!
Nick R.
June 27th, 2010
10:42 pm
Iso-Joe in New York- NO PLAYOFFS FOR THE KNICKS!
Time
June 27th, 2010
10:48 pm
Mixed feelings. I know on paper the team will be better with him next year than without. But that’s just on paper. What can’t be seen as who will step up in the absence of Joe. I figure it’s Marvin. Who to me has clearly given up his numbers to go out and try to be a role player guy. Which is good, someone needed to on this team with all the guys who needed the ball in their hands. I think if Joe walks, the first thing Drew should do is call Marvin and say “Ok, Joe is gone and you’re going to be the focal point of the offense”. Marvin’s rep even back at UNC was being too nice. I think if someone tells him to go out there and be the man, and runs plays for him and really features him. He will grow in to a All Star himself. I think on a Joeless Hawks that Al Horford steps up to be the real leader of the team and is better suited for that role than Joe ever was.
If you could resign him for less than max then I’d say do it. But I don’t think we want this contract going forward. Al’s got to be resigned next year. Within 4 years it will be a contract you’d want to move anyways. And let’s just fact it, as much as I loved Joe and all the great things he’s done for this team over the years (remembering the good with the bad, a lost art in ATL these days) he’s simply not that good. Not max contract good.
Good luck in NY Joe. You’re going to need it with that mess of a front office.
Joe's place Joe speaking
June 27th, 2010
10:48 pm
I Just read on espn that the knicks WILL offer Joe the maximum contract allowed on Thursdays meeting with them
Clyde
June 27th, 2010
10:50 pm
Let Joe go. He deserves a chance to win a championship since the Hawks don’t want to win one.
Hoops
June 27th, 2010
10:54 pm
All of you folks that are planning on moving Josh to SF don’t have a clue! Josh is NOT a SF!!!
Nick R.
June 27th, 2010
11:00 pm
Knicks and a championship don’t go well together. Don’t see how the knicks can beat the magic to even get to the finals. Magic will still be more talented than all these teams spending money like there’s no tomorrow. Magic play with heart that’s one thing this league lacks-heart. the celtics got it 100% heart and hustle that’s why they made it that far this year. Money doesn’t win championships heart does. Joe could care less about what fans think he is just like the other free agents: greedy and wanting a condo in Nyc
Saabotager
June 27th, 2010
11:01 pm
Wow! Unbelieveable! This clown is willing to throw away 20+ million to go to a scrub-ass team. Who does this but an imbecile. The New York media is gonne kill this incosistent moron. I believe Jordan Crawfor can fill his shoes anyway. Adios loser. Joe Johnson will never have the success he had with the Hawk’s.
drmaryb
June 27th, 2010
11:02 pm
KevinM
That was Beautiful! Well said!
Grand-Daddy
We almost had your pick Tigor Piess! Dang! Can you say – Pau Gasol? Yikes!