Atlanta Hawks: J.J. squeezed out of the big summit?
Who's missing from this picture? (slamdunkcentral.com)
ESPN.com reported there was a free-agent summit in Miami over the weekend involving LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh.
Other reports say the meeting didn’t happen and others that say it couldn’t have happened because James was in New York and Wade was in Las Vegas and Chicago over the weekend.
Now I’m watching ESPN respond to those reports by saying that the three players did too meet in Miami!
All of this comes after Stephen A. Smith reported that James and Bosh would join Wade in Miami.
It’s all very confusing. But if there was a meeting in some city somewhere, and if James and Bosh really are considering headed to Miami to play with D-Wade (it seems to be a real possibility), the one thing missing from all of this is Joe Johnson.
Remember, Wade had said J.J. would be included in the summit and now it turns out he wasn’t invited (if in fact there was a meeting). What that would mean for J.J. is that he’s not included in this free agent master plan orchestrated by LeBron and Wade.
What it means for the Hawks is if those three guys really do end up on the same team, that would leave more teams with top-tier cap space than there are top-tier free agents. If the Hawks really are hoping to avoid offering J.J. the Bird max salary of about $119 million, and there has been some resistance to doing so, then this is not the scenario they’d want to see (and that’s not even considering what it would mean for the balance of power in the Eastern Conference).
Of course, all of this is assuming there really was a meeting, and the Big Three free agents really would play for the same team. It’s not even Thursday yet and it’s hard to know what’s true.
MC
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431 comments Add your comment
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
8:36 am
ANY team can sign Wade,LeBron,and Bosh and be an immediate title contender. That’s 80 points a game from just these three. I’m thinking at least three of the 6 or 7 big name FA’s will sign with Miami because of the no state income tax.
Grandad,A.K.A. drmaryb,A.K.A. about 30 other names (Ramon,O’Brien,etc.) on every blog,you need to understand that Joe Johnson isn’t concerned about helping the Hawks out with a sign and trade. He can sign anywhere. Nor are teams like the Mavs,etc. wanting to trade their young talent to the Hawks for JJ (in a sign and trade) when they can sign him outright themselves.
I’m so sick of reading one person blogging 24/7 under 30 different names. Are you listening AJC ?
Joe Johnson
June 30th, 2010
8:42 am
This was a superstar summit, that is why I wasn’t invited!
Westurd
June 30th, 2010
8:53 am
I’m calling it now.
JJ is the key to the Championship for anyteam with marque players. With Wade, Bosh, and LBJ there will be too many egos and not enough points to be shared. Put two max players together and through in JJ and you have a formula that works well.
JJ’s lack of inspiration, leadership and ego will be an asset to the Heat, Knicks, or Bulls when they team him up with LBJ, Bosh, or Wade.
………and thats the true word.
O'Brien
June 30th, 2010
8:56 am
bigdave,
If you were JJ (right now), and your #1 goal was to win a championship, where would you sign?
Truth,
You and I agree that we need a center. Where we disagree is whether or not he needs to be a starting center.
I think the Hawks would be okay if they had a defensive minded center coming off the bench to play 20-25 mpg. Obviously, there would be some games where he would be required to play more minutes (like against Howard, Perkins, Bynum), but Horford does a good job at center against most of the other centers.
And getting a center for the bench would probably allow us to keep Josh Smith, who is still young and improving, and can be a game changer on defense himself (all NBA 2nd team defense, 2nd in DPOY). Plus having better defense on the perimeter from Teague (compared to Bibby), and no more “switch everything all the time” defense should help the bigs do a better job defending the paint.
That being said, I would love to trade Jamal Crawford for a center, and I am open to trading Josh for a legit center, but both teams have to agree to the deal, so maybe Rick has been looking but hasn’t found any takers.
robdawg08,
A team like the Mavs cannot sign JJ outright because they are over the cap. So the only way the Mavs can sign JJ is by sign and trade.
The only teams that can sign JJ outright are the teams that are under the cap with max space (Miami, Bulls, Knicks, Nets etc). But the reason why JJ would prefer a sign and trade is because the most these teams could offer him if he signs outright with them is 5 years, $95 mil. If he signs with the Hawks, he can get 6 years, $120 mil.
So the Hawks could sign him for 6 years, $120 mil, and then trade him to the Heta, Bulls, etc. That way, JJ gets the money he wants, and the other team still gets their guy. I hope this clears up any confusion.
Simple
June 30th, 2010
9:04 am
S&T JJ for Dirk….DONE!!!
nobody
June 30th, 2010
9:07 am
Woah. Paul Pierce just opted out. Hate the guy, but im sure he wont get a max deal and he could help if we lose Joe
dap01
June 30th, 2010
9:08 am
JJ does not care about Atlanta but he does care about that extra year and 20+ million that ATL can get him. If he does not want to play with the Hawks he wil still need ATL to get him the extra year in a sign and trade.
I hope Sund is awake at the wheel.
i_am_soulstar
June 30th, 2010
9:08 am
SWAT Natove,
Yeah man, to help alleviate some of the depression from the NBA offseason, went to the Atlanta Dream last night.
Those girls were hooping. I think I’m gonna have to make an emotional investment and support the ladies for the rest of the season.
i_am_soulstar
June 30th, 2010
9:09 am
I’m glad Pierce is opting out. Keep it interesting.
SIMPLE
June 30th, 2010
9:11 am
S&T JJ for CARMELLO….DONE!!!
nobody
June 30th, 2010
9:11 am
D. Carter. What is funny is that the nets took a player with a 1.1 million contract, gave them Yi(4 million) and then gave them $3 million. So basically the wizardjust got him for free. Its funny that the ASG is frugal, but the Wizards are the ones getting a lot of players with cash as teams try to unload salary.
nobody
June 30th, 2010
9:13 am
I really dont like pierce cause he is so whiny but he has won and he would be cheaper than joe.
SiMpLe
June 30th, 2010
9:16 am
S&T JJ for Erik Spoelstra .DONE!!!
Ramon
June 30th, 2010
9:16 am
Robdawg, if you’re sitting here saying JJ isn’t concerned with getting the MAXIMUM amount that he can for his profession, when there’s a $28 million dollar difference in the contract he would sign in a sign and trade, and the contract he would sign flat out with another team, then you are clearly not aware of life and business in the USA. Joe has already stated that he will sign for the max, where he goes, because that’s what he wants. So you really believe he’s not wanting to do a sign and trade if he can convince Sund to do a deal? That rumor about Joe will play for less in NY, came out of NY, not out of Joe’s camp (which is in LA). Do you think just maybe the Knicks were saying that to help set themselves up for other free agents to take pay cuts? By the way, you haven’t seen me propose and sign and trade for Joe. I’ve constantly said that I want the Hawks to re-sign Joe, not trade.
nobody
June 30th, 2010
9:20 am
I have a question for the people as an average person never going to set foot on an NBA court, and not understanding fully what a championship means to these guys. Would you rather be paid an extra 28 million or win a championship?
Diane
June 30th, 2010
9:23 am
I like basketball, it looks fun. I like playing with big balls.
Biggie
June 30th, 2010
9:26 am
@Robdawg – you need to learn what’s going on dude. JJ can get LOTS MORE (read: millions) if he agrees to a sign and trade.
bigdave
June 30th, 2010
9:28 am
Obrien..
Chicago.
nobody
June 30th, 2010
9:35 am
Why is Joe in LA anyway? Isnt he from Little Rock? Where did Los Angeles come from?
SiCkOfThiS
June 30th, 2010
9:39 am
Joe Johnson should be excluded from that group. He’s not at thier level of play.
Ramon
June 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Nobody, his agent’s office is in LA.
nobody
June 30th, 2010
9:51 am
Thank you Ramon. I guess thats a good reason. haha
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
9:58 am
There’s no guarantee that a team will trade for JJ if the Hawks sign him to a max deal. Then the Hawks will be on the hook for 6 years of 25 points for two games,then 6 points for 2 games,then 14 points,then 5,then 24…. JJ is not consistent enough scorer to warrant a max deal PERIOD.
Semple
June 30th, 2010
9:58 am
S&T JJ for Dianne .Oh Yeah!!
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:01 am
JJ is not with the elite players because he isn’t an elite player. He’s a decent player but not one that can score 25 to 30 EVERY game like a D.Wade or LeBron.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:03 am
I don’t want JJ back period. He will disappear in round two of the playoffs AGAIN and Hawks will get swept AGAIN. Hawks will NEVER be a top team without a true CENTER and a 25 points per game scorer. You ALL know that…
i_am_soulstar
June 30th, 2010
10:04 am
O,Brien,
I absolutely agree. The Hawks already have an above average starting center. What we need is a defensive big to come off the bench for those guys that give Horford trouble.
Just say no to moving Horford to the 4 unless you’re gonna trade Josh.
I’d be okay with Josh at the 3 if his perimeter defense was adequate, but that’s just not the case.
Semple
June 30th, 2010
10:04 am
Cmon robdawg08 …even I know that if the Hawks sign JJ SPECIFICALLY for a S&T, they would have the deal done before they commit.
i_am_soulstar
June 30th, 2010
10:05 am
nobody,
He also has a house in L.A.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:05 am
A player like JJ should get about $4 million per year MAX. In the overpaid NBA (as well as NFL,MLB,etc.) players get way too much money for their production. Players should be paid on a per game performance. But instead they sign 5 year $50 million dollar contracts and take nights off because they know they still will get paid.
Ken Strickland
June 30th, 2010
10:06 am
The real issue facing the Hawks isn’t if JJ will resign, but what will we do if he doesn’t. If he decides to leave, by the time everything is completed and he comes off our books and our cap is adjusted, it will more than likely be way past the time we can sign any of the FA’s we might covet.
Losing JJ would make resigning JChildress a priority, because there’s no one we could acquire in a sign and trade for him that can catch what he offers. He could certainly give us the versatility JJ gives us, since he, like JJ, can play SF, SG, PG. Both play solid DEF, are excellent passers and perpetrators, but Chills is more athletic and actually runs the floor and is a better finisher than JJ.
He and Marvin would form a very solid duo at SF, which is something we definitely lacked last yr. Whether JJ stays or goes, signing a serviceable center with our MLE will be a key. If fact, all we have to do to improve over last yrs team if JJ resigns, or be as good if he doesn’t, is to get improved production @ SF, PG, and backup center, as well as our bench overall.
Improving our overall DEF will go a long ways toward keeping the JJ less Hawks competitive and in the playoff hunt. Good coaching, installing effective OFF/DEF systems, and effectively utilizing all of our resources would allow us to be even more effective then the Rockets were last yr after losing their star player. After all, we’ll have far more overall talent than they had to work with.
Other than Yao, the Rockets didn’t have another All Star caliber player, but they certainly did a hell of a job utilizing the talent they did have. Even without JJ, we’d still have the 6th man of the yr in JCrawford, an All Star center in AHorford and a potential All Star PF in JSmith. Once JTeague adjusts to playing without having to look over his shoulder and realizing he won’t get yanked, punished or cursed out on the sidelines for making a simple mistake, and starts to play his gm with confidence, we can add another potential All Star candidate to the mix.
Every Time he’s been given extended mins and allowed to play without looking over his shoulder, he’s produced some very solid numbers. And I’m talking about numbers that far exceeded anything Bibby gave us last yr.
Finally, we can’t under estimate the value and positive impact HC LDrew and his OFF/DEF systems will have on this team and its players. He’s going to do things and make decisions that will improve this team and its players, not hold them back and/or create division among the players.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:07 am
Trades fall thru all the time. JJ will sign on his own with another team. Mark my words.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:09 am
Marvin, another overpaid pretty much worthless player. He will give you 15 minutes and 6 points per night making $12 million dollars. Unreal.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:12 am
Drew is the second coming of his formewr boss Mike Woodson. You will see the same game with the same players (minus JJ). All disciples of coaches coach the same way their predecessor did. The 2011 Hawks will be a mess.
O'Brien
June 30th, 2010
10:14 am
nobody, bigdave,
If I’m JJ, and I have already made $70 mil from my last contract, then I would be willing to take $95 mil instead of $120 mil, if the $95 mil gives me a better chance at winning a title. I just cant imagine $165 mil in earnings (before taxes) not being enough over a ten year salary to take care of my family, my kids, grandkids, etc.
That being said, if I’m JJ, I’m looking at the Bulls (with or without LeBron). Because even if the Bulls miss out on LeBron, they could still sign JJ and free agent big (Stoudemire, Bosh, Boozer, even David Lee).
Ken Strickland,
Co-sign. Even if JJ walks away, its not the end of the world for the Hawks, because we still have some good pieces. And I think we would still compete for a playoff spot, even if its #5-#8.
sam'l
June 30th, 2010
10:14 am
The Hawks remain silent and inept. The players remain selfish beyond contempt. They look and act like gang members. (I seriously doubt I would be praising LeBron’s ability to block shots if I saw his car approaching at 110 miles per hour on the freeway.). The owners are pathetic. The refs allow palming, hip-hop travels, elbows to the head. Skill levels are down, .
The NBA is dead. Bye.. . .
.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:16 am
I wouldn’t take M.Williams in trade for a rack of new basketballs. If I traded for him he would clean up the building after games. A part-time player making superstar type money…
d.carter
June 30th, 2010
10:17 am
Nobody: There is noway in the Hell that i would give JJ (the 6′8 floater shooter who cant get to the freethrow line) a max deal… As much as i hate to say it either Josh or AL has to go in order for the hawks to field a team of players who all dont do the same thing… The thing that was great about the 80’s teams was that teams were constructed with players that had a certain skill set which made the team concept flourish, Hell even the old hawks had Nique- the scorer , Doc – tru point guard, Randy wittman- jump shooter, kevin willis- rebounder , Tree- defender shot blocker, along with John Battle, Antione Carr, Cliff Livingston everyone had a role… waay to much iso ball for my eyes to watch… YI would have been a great and cheap addition for the hawks who lack size… Hell we could have given them MO evans or a future draft pick for that matter!!! Instead we draft PAPE SY!!!!!! PAPE SY!!!!!! who in the hell is PAPE SY???? Ever heard of Brian Zoubek or Jon Schayer a legitimate knockdown shooter…. I am starting to get that same feeling about the Hawks i had the morning after they traded Nique for DANNY MANNING
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:26 am
The Hawks never cease to amaze me with their ineptitude. The draft another 6-7 forward in the first round then draft a project center from overseas. Can you say Priest Lauderdale reincarnated ? They should have traded their 1st pick for a veteran center.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:33 am
I was watching the draft when they selected Pape and the experts were talking about he needed to play overseas for 1 or 2 years before coming to the Hawks. He will probably tear a knee ligament then be done for good or truthfully never materialize into a good player. Why didn’t they just trade all their picks this year for a bonafide starting center ?
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:35 am
Trade J.Smith (& his big salary) for future draft picks then sign P.Pierce and C.Bosh.
Sautee
June 30th, 2010
10:42 am
Truth-serum,
You said this:
“Why do people plant wild rumors but never post the link to corroborate their story? When ever I see people making wild attention grabbing statements with out a legitimate link. i stop reading that person and recognize the lack of credibility.”
OK, T-s while I agree with your statement, I’m confused. Where is the link to the “wild rumor” that YOU perpetrated on this blog about Shaq “announcing” that he wouldn’t play in the All-Star game?
Or should we all just scroll past your posts, since you didn’t produce that link?
Should we recognize your lack of credibility? (your own words)
And while we’re at it, you also said this:
“Sund has screwed up the majority of the teams hes managed by trying to instill his philosophy. He prefers to use power forwards rather than centers and that is one thing JJ doesnt believe in. In fact most of the impact free agents dont have atlanta on their list and that is a major reason. NO CENTER.”
How about a link for this info?
Funny, but you say that Sund “prefers” to use power forwards for centers. My memory of him before he came here was for drafting seven footers who were busts (Petro, Swift, Sene, etc.)
Can you name a “power forward” OTHER than Horford that Sund has “preferred” to use at center?
I’m SURE that you will send along a link to clear this up. Heh heh.
nobody
June 30th, 2010
10:44 am
I would keep Josh for one more year. Who thought he would improve as much as he did last year? He is a real talent. See if he has improved anymore and unload him if he hasnt
Simplez
June 30th, 2010
10:49 am
LOL….WOW….Lots of haters on here.
Mike is back
June 30th, 2010
11:14 am
northcyde, you bring the pain up in this mothda…call it like is folk.
If Bosh was smart…he would be trying to go to Pheonix…that way he can get fat…eaten off Nash.
Amare…know he needs to be feed to do his thing…I don’t why he wants to leave one of the best chiefs…in the game. lol
Same goes for the ASG…they know they need TO resign JJ…they ain’t too far gone…to understand that.
Considering LD will be implementing a new offense…Sund can ill-afford not to have JJ available during this transition. Its going to be far easier for LD to succeed with JJ on the team. I don’t THINK anyone will argue that.
Your chances with LD are a lot better with JJ…than without him…Especially given your cap situation.
MC and Big Ray, has been saying same thing in at lease 20 difference languages… drmaryb…and some of them still don’t get. lol
GO FIGURE…AND GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cp
June 30th, 2010
11:21 am
Landon Milbourne will be on the summer league team. I don’t know much about him other than he is left handed and an very athletic. Dude finishes at the rim with force and he is a nice defender.
Dan Lebatard tweeted that Bosh to Miami is a done deal. Bosh goes to Miami and Toronto gets Beasley, Chalmers, and Anthony. Joel is a free agent so I guess he will be signed and moved. I dont know how true it is but I guess we will find out shortly.
bigdave
June 30th, 2010
11:26 am
Melo available in trade?
Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post
While their offer of a hefty contract extension proves the Nuggets hope (Carmelo) Anthony will remain the face of the franchise for years to come, the team is prepared to trade Melo rather than let him walk as a free agent next summer, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
At a salary of $17 million, Anthony is committed to play for Denver during the upcoming season. But here’s the rub. Anthony can opt out of his contract next summer, and free agency might appear all the more tempting after seeing the league-wide groveling James has instigated.
As a proactive move, the Nuggets have quietly tried to secure the services of Anthony through 2015 before losers in the pursuit of this talent-laden class of free agents can begin dreaming of Melo.
darrell starks
June 30th, 2010
11:29 am
Ken Strickland you my boy but MARVIN W. is the worst starting smallforward in the nba.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
June 30th, 2010
11:30 am
Marvin is horrible.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Truth-Serum
June 30th, 2010
11:43 am
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:03 am
I don’t want JJ back period. He will disappear in round two of the playoffs AGAIN and Hawks will get swept AGAIN. Hawks will NEVER be a top team without a true CENTER and a 25 points per game scorer. You ALL know that…
Some times I wonder why do people continue to deceive themselves. Yes, I agree, they all know that.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:26 am
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:33 am
Two on the money post!
O’Brien
June 30th, 2010
8:56 am
Truth,
You and I agree that we need a center. Where we disagree is whether or not he needs to be a starting center.
I think the Hawks would be okay if they had a defensive minded center coming off the bench to play 20-25 mpg. Obviously, there would be some games where he would be required to play more minutes (like against Howard, Perkins, Bynum), but Horford does a good job at center against most of the other centers.
I hear you O’Brien, its just that my analysis of what a “good job” is may be different than yours. To me
12pts career ave, 9.4 rebounds .41 blocks to personal foul,( it takes 3 fouls to ave 1 block) # 18 ranking centers in block shots, among all players he is not even in the top 35 defensively for blocks
He was not able to make the 1st,2nd, or 3rd on the All NBA Team and of the 30 NBA coaches 0, nada, ziltch, zero felt he should be a starter on the NBA defensive team and before you say thats because of Howard, well, only 1 out of 30 coaches felt he should be on the second team. In fact When the head coaches consider defensive talent measured on the All Defensive team Horford gets only 1 vote total out of all the votes cast on any level.
The reality is Horfords defense suck! You say well Horford “hold his own” against the big guys…..I dont recall horford shutting down any of the legitimate centers. What I interpret that statement to say is ” Horford scored more than his usual 12 pts.” To me horford scoring 14 pts and the opposition scoring 17 is not “Holding your own”. How about Horford scores 16 and the legitimate center was held to single digits and forced off the block while horford blocks 2-3 shots and altered countless others with out getting into foul trouble. That to me would be holding your own. His sole claim to defensive fame is he gets 9 rbs per game. Well 30 guys average 8 or more rebounds and 14 guys average 10 or more… His 9 rebound are about average and rebounds to me are not equal to the defense that caused the miss shot that created the rebound opportunity. He just convenient pick up the ball after Josh blocks the shot and is credited with a rebound….NOT.
No, O’Brien. I have another definition of “holding your own”. I would like to see the hawk in the championship levels. Rise up from 3 seed and 53 wins and get to the conference finals. You dont do that with average defense. No, Horford would be a back up to the stopper. Play defense first, not exchange baskets. If there is a special isolation for horford’s 12 pts then he should come off the bench to get to them. We are trying to win a championship, not “hold our own”. Weve done that the last couple of years. Its time to take it to the next level.
Saltee. I appreciate the way you twist and misconstrue what I ve said. I wont be taking the time to untangle your web of deceit and confusion. You are not accurately quoting me in the context in which it was said.
I wont be swimming in the cesspool with you.You’ll have to swim alone. Enjoy your swim.
robdawg08
June 30th, 2010
10:12 am
Drew is the second coming of his formewr boss Mike Woodson. You will see the same game with the same players (minus JJ). All disciples of coaches coach the same way their predecessor did. The 2011 Hawks will be a mess.
Pretty Much, unless we can get a quality center.
You are preaching today!
Robdawg