Atlanta Hawks: Still waiting on J.J. (Sat. Update: Hawks confident, patient)
SAT. UPDATE: Despite the rumblings about J.J. bolting to team up with another All-Star , the Hawks remain confident he will accept their max contract offer.
There hasn’t been discussion about a sign-and-trade because Joe still hasn’t given Atlanta any indication he doesn’t want to re-sign. The Hawks expected the process would take a few days so, from their perspective, nothing has changed. Hawks blog legend Sekou agrees that everything is still on track for an agreement.
Note to my blog people: I’ve been trying to avoid posting new blogs unless there’s a significant development in the story so you can continue your comment threads. If you are interested in more frequent updates/chatter/discussion, you can follow me on Twitter. If you are not on Twitter, you should be. . . .
The apparent hesitation by J.J. to accept the Hawks’ six-year, maximum contract offer has led to speculation that perhaps he’s waiting to see what happens with LeBron and other top free agents before committing to Atlanta.
(UPDATE: Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com reports that J.J. “wants to see how things shake out with the other maximum-salary free agents” before making a decision. He quotes a source saying the chances of J.J. accepting the offer are “slightly” better than 50-50.)
SI’s Ian Thomsen reported earlier today that J.J. and Stoudemire remained “open-minded” about taking less money to sign with the Knicks if LeBron goes there (though now it looks like Amare already is committed to New York) . Under that scenario, which Thomsen described as a “longshot”, either J.J. or Amare (or both) would have to take even less than the non-Bird max to play with LeBron in New York since the Knicks don’t have the cap space to give all three max deals.
Meanwhile, the Hawks continue to wait on Joe. There still have been no indications that he won’t accept their offer. His agent says Joe is “comfortable” and “happy” in Atlanta. In their last meeting, the Hawks reiterated their desire to offer him $27 million more than what he can get on the market. So I’m not sure what’s the hold up.
If you are still hoping for a J.J. sign-and-trade, the transaction would have to happen all at once. When the signing period opens on July 8, the Hawks couldn’t sign J.J. and then trade him later in a separate transaction. Under CBA rules, if J.J. re-signs with the Hawks he’s not eligible to be traded for 90 days or until Dec. 15, whichever comes later.
MC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
304 comments Add your comment
JeJe
July 2nd, 2010
11:26 pm
LeBron will stay in Cleveland. I kinda hope he goes to the Clippers. They have been one of the most talented teams over the years. They had Baron, Thornton, Z-Bo, Camby, Kaman, and E.Gordon all in 1 yr. It’s time they strike gold. I don’t think LBJ wants to go West though.
I’ll go with 1) Cavs 2) Nets.
I do realize however that the Bulls could ship Deng somehow for cap space and have LBJ, Rose, Bosh and Noah all in 1 lineup.
Jesus
Kwijibo
July 2nd, 2010
11:27 pm
I have been following the Hawks since the 70’s and this team has as much promise as any team in the history of the franchise since moving to Atlanta. I am typically let down by the negativity of Atlanta sports fans, so am not surprised at this blog about Ju Ju Joe. The guys scores 20+ points a game, plays excellent defense and doesn’t shoot people at night clubs. Granted, he is not a floor leader or motivator, which prevents him from becoming a player like Kobe, Wade, LeBron or Pierce. Horford can be the guy we need in that role. Locking him up as an anchor for 6 years would be a great thing.
With the Woody thing taken care of and Billy Knight gone, no bad blood still exists to prevent Childress from resigning. He can play 2 or 3 and provides additional energy off the bench. Won’t affect salary cap or luxury tax as he is already counting against the cap as a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer.
So, we need a center for matchups like Dwight Howard. Yep. Sign Shaq for a reasonable amount of money with the pitch to ‘come win a championship’.
Could that group be as good as anyone in the league?
Teague/Bibby/Jamal
Joe/Jamal/Jordan Crawford
Marvin/Chillz/Joe
Josh/Joe Smith/Othello/Horford
Horford/Zaza/Shaq
That being said, if we lose Joe but could wrap up Crawford for a long term contract, we will be OK in the long run.. but why give up an anchor out of spite?
JeJe
July 2nd, 2010
11:27 pm
Joe will get fried by the media. Just twitter search Marvin, Joe, and Bibby. Everyone out there knows that 2 of these guys suck and the 3rd is a playoff choker with no heart
Jody
July 2nd, 2010
11:29 pm
I don’t see the Hawks having much of a chance to get Shaq is they get spurned by JJ. They’ve already lost out on Salmons (supposedly one of their contingent plans) waiting on Joe. Hence, I think they need to give him a deadline or else risk looking REALLY foolish and embarrased.
Grandad
July 2nd, 2010
11:31 pm
newkid
Astute observation!
However;
don’t forget his agent,
he’s not gonna leave $27 mil on the table.
That would cost his agent – what – $2.7 mil?
-OR-
Do agents get more than 10% now, I don’t know?
-Still-
his agent’s not gonna leave that kinda money?
His agent could care less about Amare or LbJ,
-when-
it comes to Joe’s contract.
-IF-
His agent reps one of the other guys then he’s usin’
Joe for leverage. Or I could be full of manure.
bigdave
July 2nd, 2010
11:36 pm
Big Ray…
hmm.. interesting turn of events. lol.. its getting good… looks like Joe is dribbling.. the Natl. media is funny. they do a lot of assuming.. “sources” must be drying up in today’s journalism.
o and Rich Bucher of ESPN said Joe was going to take a few days to think about it so im not really surprised by the delay. im sure he will continue his recruitment process like the others.. i mean whats a verbal commitment anyway.. remember Turk..
terrell
July 2nd, 2010
11:36 pm
MC, can a team win a championship with JJ as its best player?
robdawg08
July 2nd, 2010
11:39 pm
Joe is doing the Hawks like Damon Evans did his wife. If Joe (Damon) can find a hooker (other teams like NY,NJ,Chicago,Miami) better than his wife (Hawks) he will take it. But if not he’ll just go back home to his wife (Hawks).
robdawg08
July 2nd, 2010
11:42 pm
Man-up Hawks ownership and don’t let JJ play you for fools and dictate your future. Let him walk. He doesn’t need fans anyway you know…
Steve
July 2nd, 2010
11:42 pm
Could be LBJ asked JJ to hold off – and the word on espn is JJ really likes the Bulls. Read one of JJ’s old tweets from last year in August about how much he loves Chicago. I do think, in the end, JJ takes the 27m – no brainer.
Here’s the deal – ATL gets JJ and hopefully either Shaq or O’Neal.
If we lose JJ – Sund’s backup plan – Marvin and Bibby to Golden State for Monta Ellis.
We then re-sign Chilz.
We then sign Rafer Alston or Anthony Johnson to back up Teague – and still get Shaq or O’Neal.
And one more crazy scenario if Sund could get a Luis Scola or something – Josh for CP3 and forget Rafer. Draft picks may be part of these scenarios also.
Grandad
July 2nd, 2010
11:43 pm
terrell
Why can’t the team be the best player?
robdawg08
July 2nd, 2010
11:45 pm
Glad you know the Hawks GM’s plans, Steve. Hell, they don’t even know what they will do. I’m sure GS is drooling about getting Bibby.
John McCain
July 2nd, 2010
11:48 pm
The Peachtree Hoops Podcast: The Joe Johnson Contract and do you believe Hawks Management??
by The Human Highlight Blog from Peachtree Hoops on Jul 2, 2010 11:19 AM EDT
The Peachtree Hoops podcast gets into management’s response to online concerns (read: blogs) regarding Joe’s maximum offer. Also, getting a big man to play center mean either Al or Josh being benched.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 2nd, 2010
11:49 pm
““Do you give Joe a deadline to accept?”
No because there’s no plan if he doesn’t accept.”
Probably, but this is as much a function of the salary cap position as it is Sund’s ineptitude. Of course, Sund helped create the Hawks’ current salary cap mess, so he deserves the blame either way. But even if the Hawks were to fire Sund today and replace him with a good GM, they still wouldn’t have any real Plan B if Joe leaves, simply because that’s the way the Hawks’ current salary structure is.
coach smith
July 2nd, 2010
11:50 pm
If the Hawks re-sign JJ and pick up Jermaine O’neal to place center
a lineup of Joe Johnson, Jermaine O’Neal, Horford, J Smith, and Jamal Crawford/Bibby is pretty dang good
BUT
The Nuggets are desparate to trade Carmello before he walks, I think the Hawks should sign JJ and the Trade J.Smith and M.Williams to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony!
look at it! The money matches up perfectly and I could see Mello staying in Atlanta
then the Hawks still can sign Jermaine O’neal (because their money situation wouldn’t have changed)
a lineup of Joe, Carmelo, Jermaine O’neal, Horford, Jamal crawford/Bibby, with Jordan Crawford, ZaZa, Teague, Evans off the bench!
That is a lineup ready to compete!
John McCain
July 2nd, 2010
11:51 pm
Steve you are funny man. Nobody is going to take the duck and the retiree for Monta Ellis!
Najeh Davenpoop
July 2nd, 2010
11:53 pm
Shaq, even at this stage in his career, could definitely serve as that 3rd big man to come in and guard opposing 5’s for 25 minutes a game. The problem is, I don’t see him signing with the Hawks and accepting a bench role. Wherever he signs, he’s going to want a starting position and a focal role in the offense. I don’t think it’s in the Hawks’ best interest to give him that. As much as Truth-serum’s brain might explode to read this, both Smoove and Horford are better players than Shaq at this point in time, and it will not help the Hawks to move one of them to the bench to start Shaq.
I think he goes wherever Wade goes. If Wade goes to Chicago, I think Shaq will go there and they will move Noah to PF.
I MUS WRITE
July 2nd, 2010
11:54 pm
I am soul star- I dont have a link for you.I run into alot of NBA types at my work and I try to get info when possible. Also my boos tells me alot he’s know Sqaq and his family ever since he played at LSE-hence the rumor……….
A couple years ago he was the one who told me we were going to sign Flip Murray/Evans when Chillz went to Greece. I posted that here a couple days before Sekou wrote about it.
I MUS WRITE
July 2nd, 2010
11:58 pm
LSU
i_am_soulstar
July 3rd, 2010
12:05 am
IMUS,
Understood, thanks anyway.
Bubba G
July 3rd, 2010
12:07 am
We have got to get a big. We can not win a championship with the guys we have playing center. Al needs to move to PF and the hawks can sign a guy that is a true big center. Please Joe Johnson, don’t resign with the Hawks. To be honest we don’t want you here, and it will be best for both sides if you go elsewhere. You are stunning the growth of our ball club because you are a ball hog and if you resigned we would not be able to sign any players that can help us. So basically, please leave town!
JeJe
July 3rd, 2010
12:10 am
Melo and CP3
ARE RIGHT THERE FOR THE TAKING.
Smoove/Marvin for Melo
Bibby, Duck, picks, blah blah for CP3.
THESE GUYS ARE AVAILABLE.
newkid
July 3rd, 2010
12:11 am
Grandad,
Followers like Joe aren’t always led by economic logic or first impressions of what might be in their best interest. You know the type, don’t you? Those that indeed have their own well-founded ‘filters’, but sheepishly defer to the ‘filters’ of others who have higher profiles (e.g., LeBron, Amar’e, et al) but not necessarily more effective filters. In the face of those of higher profile, Joe’s agent is feverishly paddling upstream. You know it’s just killing him.
Some cats just don’t have leadership pedigree. Nothing wrong with that unless/until leadership illusions set in. A man’s gotta know his limitations.
doc
July 3rd, 2010
12:13 am
nothcyde and sautee:
dont forget bob petit leading the franchise to the nba championship in 57 to lose in 58 to start the celts run i think.
got to give some cred to sweet super lou the guy that only steve smith has ever been as smooth as. the guy could shoot.
Bubba G
July 3rd, 2010
12:26 am
We really need to trade Bibby. He’s aging and is making too much for an old bench player. Trade him to a team that needs a veteran point gaurd.
Steve
July 3rd, 2010
12:26 am
Guys, the Golden State rumor is on the internet – evidently Ellis can’t blend with some of the flimsy cast in Golden State. And don’t think Sund doesn’t have a plan – this is the guy who stole Jamal – and later still got 3m for a draft pick he was supposed to sell and got the draft pick he wanted as well. Sund was terrible in Seattle – great for the cheapskates at ASG.
Steve
July 3rd, 2010
12:36 am
Jermaine O’Neal stunk in the playoffs vs. Celts – 9-44 shooting – 4.2ppg
Shaq did much better – 11+ ppg vs. Celts.
Neither on will hold up well probably, we’ll see – I feel like we’re getting Moses Malone again at the end of his career. He and Theus didn’t work out very well all those years ago…..
Hawks Mess
July 3rd, 2010
12:39 am
Meanwhile, the Hawks continue to wait on Joe. – Cunningham
Just like we will be waiting on winning a championship if he signs this deal.
Bubba G
July 3rd, 2010
12:42 am
@Hawks Mess, very true. I wish that every hawks fan would tweet him and tell him he is not wanted here.
bigdave
July 3rd, 2010
12:42 am
Joe holding off before he commits could also be PR.. given all of the negative pub he’s received. not immediately committing makes it appear that Joe is more about the best situation versus the bigger pay day. though it can be argued that both are right here in Atlanta. i think Joe realizes this and at the end of the day signs.. but trust being on the front page of yahoo with some unknown calling your contract the worst in history is not a good look..
bigdave
July 3rd, 2010
12:44 am
wise to let it cool down a bit. this Tellem guy is no slouch..
Najeh Davenpoop
July 3rd, 2010
12:49 am
I wonder if Arn Tellem’s friends call him Soulja Boy…
Grandad
July 3rd, 2010
12:50 am
newkid
Precisely;
which is why he will do what his agent says.
-Now-
his agent just so happens to be *buddies with NY GM.
Where his agent can make up that money…?
I don’t know?
NBA, I’m not sure how they can control a franchise
from paying off an agent???
Anyway, Joe will follow his agents instructions!
Grandad
July 3rd, 2010
12:55 am
-Hatter-
Golden State web-site is one of the places I read about it.
Type in Marvin Williams + latest news,
then
hit SportsSpyder
a list of media outlets will come up
& pick / choose whichever one is most recent.
Last eve was the Marv + Bibby stuff.
JeJe
July 3rd, 2010
1:05 am
Just like the Clippers told LBJ, the Hawks should have their pitch to Joe be: “Look, we are borderline contenders. We just need 1 or 2 more pieces.”
So why can’t Joe do what Arenas did 2 years ago and take $105M/6 or whatever he took? The Wiz were thought to be contenders when he took the extension. Can’t Joe do the same?
If Joe took a $105M/6, he’d theoretically be making 17M or so in the final season. This is far more than he’d get if he took a max 5 year deal from another team and signed a contract in that 6th year.
Summary: Joe should sacrifice, recognizing that we are better than all these other teams, knowing that we have players on very cheap contracts and that 1 or 2 more pieces may just get us there
Grandad
July 3rd, 2010
1:23 am
Bubba G
Why would Hawk fans do that?
Are you one of those northern oppressors disguised
as a Hawks blogger?
Bubba G = Knicks fan
Poser!
Go back to NY City Vinny or Gianni or whomever you are.
JDW
July 3rd, 2010
1:23 am
This will go down as ONE OF THE WORST CONTRACTS IN HISTORY! $119 Million for a guy who sucks in the playoffs? This will cripple the Hawks for the length of the contract. JJ is NOT a leader. He’s a nice player if you have talent around him. He is not a max player. This is stupid – stupid – stupid. The only thing more stupid is that JJ hasn’t already jumped at it! Even HE knows he isn’t worth that kind of money.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
July 3rd, 2010
1:32 am
After reading this update I think the Hawks would be fools to give Joe max.
Joe wasnt worth max to begin with, but think about it now. This guy is now saying that even though the Hawks are offering him more than anywhere else, he’s still considering going somewhere else even for less money????
That tells me he doesnt REALLY want to be a Hawk anyway.
It’s amazing how quick Joe went from not getting enough credit, to getting too much credit.
tckr83
July 3rd, 2010
2:12 am
It will never be enough for this guy. The Hawks brought him out of the desert with a big contract, put players around him and IMMEDIATELY offered him a max contract (more than he commands) and he still isn’t sure? I’d like to believe in this guy, but I just cant anymore.
He’s covering his butt in saying he’s “comfortable” and “happy” still in Atlanta. I hope everyone can see through this… I now hope that JJ, in waiting on the other big FA’s, finds another place suitable to him and another Tier 1 FA. Then work out a sign-n-trade (because you know JJ wants the money, 30M is something he wont be wanting to miss out on) and trade him asap for everything we can get.
If JJ signs a contract to stay with the Hawks… I hope as soon as they come across a deal with another team(s) that would be of equal value or even improve the team slightly… that ASG doesn’t even tell him. Just trade him. “Good morning Joe, here’s your plane ticket.” Don’t let the door hit ya, where the good Lord split ya…
He doesn’t care to be here, he doesn’t lead, he doesn’t show up in the playoffs, he might not even fit in with the new coach and his offense… heck, he doesn’t deserve/command 119M in a sane world.
Of course as I’m typing, ESPN is saying that JJ is even considering taking less to play elsewhere and leaving the Hawks, a team that made him, offered him a more than fair contract last year 15M/per and now a max contract… high and dry.
I wish Joe Johnson had the all the loyalty and half the brains of a player like Rudy Gay. At least he appreciates his franchise…
One Atlanta fan that is just completely done with Joe Johnson, he’s not worth all of this. Huge Hawks fan, not a fan at all of Joe Johnson anymore.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478)
July 3rd, 2010
3:06 am
Simple logic here people. Joe doesnt want to be a Hawk and is a liar.
Joe so called wants to play in ATL right?
Why would he need to “weigh other options” if the team he so called wants to play for is already offering him more money than anybody else will??
HoosierHawk
July 3rd, 2010
3:23 am
I realize the offer is already on the table, but here’s what ASG should have pitched: “Hey Joe, you can take less money to play with Eddy Curry and whoever other awful players are on the knicks. OR you can take that same amount, play here, and let us use the little extra = to bulk up the roster and make this team a contender”.
Does anyone else believe that basketball is a team game, and no matter what 2 max contract guys you have, you will not be THAT good filling out the roster with veterans minimums and MLE. Teams like the Heat have 2 guys signed and want to spend the rest of their cap on 3 superstars. I’m sorry, but look at the top teams (except the Lakers). Boston, Orlando, and Phoenix all have a good bench. 3 superstars and no bench is not going to win a title. Boston got very lucky by having 2 other players who had a well define role (Perk is a defensive stopper not a scorer and rondo can slash), and those two developed into damn good players. Lucky if you ask me.
vava74
July 3rd, 2010
3:45 am
Why are you all giving so much credit to “reports” in the media?
You have absolutely no idea of what is really going on.
Just wait and then react on facts, not on speculation devised to keep you on your toes.
tony
July 3rd, 2010
3:58 am
They need to give Steve Belkin 100% ownership. He’s the only one who had enough sense to disagree with the JJ trade to began with. I bet you he was against hiring a 36 year gm(Sund) who is championshipless.
I bet you Belkin’s gm would have drafted Darren Collison a true point guard not a sg(Teague). Belkin’s gm would have drafted Dominque Jones(team player) not Jordan Crawford(all about me player). Belkin’s gm would have drafted Whiteside(C) team’s biggest need instead of someone who worked his butt off for the 1st time in his life at an nba workout just so he could get drafted. I bet you Belkin’s gm would have hired Avery Johnson(proven coach).
All this talk about this and that but the reality is, you have owners who knows nothing about running a professional nba team. No matter what they do I don’t believe they will ever build a team capable of playing for a nba title. Any BETS?
Najeh Davenpoop
July 3rd, 2010
4:00 am
“Why would he need to “weigh other options” if the team he so called wants to play for is already offering him more money than anybody else will??”
That’s the whole point of becoming a free agent. It’s the whole reason Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce opted out. Not because they don’t want to be with their current teams — in fact Pierce has already re-signed with the Celtics — but because they want to see what’s out there, and maybe they just want the attention from other teams because it makes them feel good.
Sure, if you look at it from the average person’s perspective and you see a guy debating on whether or not $119 million is good enough for him, it looks bad. Average people like me and you will never be able to relate to the decisions and lifestyles of pro athletes. But I think it’s a little short-sighted to assume Joe doesn’t want to be here just because he’s weighing other options right now. If he actually signs on the dotted line somewhere else, you can make that judgment.
Nate ArchiBALL
July 3rd, 2010
5:40 am
Just to show how things have changed….On April 10,1972, Julius Erving (age 23) signed a 5 year, $2 Million dollar contract (Yep, that’s the total value of the contract — Walked out the Hawks offices on Cain street with a $250,000 check)
Salary:: $200,000 the first year escalating to $260,000 in the 5th year with $75,000 to come in a lump sum before October 1st of each year. $20,000 per year to be paid during the time he plays with the Virginia Squires of the ABA . An additional $12,500 to be paid for 20 years whether he plays basketball or not.
Loans: $250,000 loan upon signing, interest free, to be repaid $12,500 per year over a period of 20 years.
Other: An car not to exceed $9,000; rent payment of $250.00 per month for the life of the contract; a trade option; the striking of seven items from the standard NBA players contract.
Doc wore #54 in the Hawks uniform and played in one or two exhibition games with the Hawks.
From the Atlanta Constitution newspaper written by Frank Hyland .dated November 15, 1972..
drmaryb
July 3rd, 2010
6:49 am
I heard Joe’s Agent was working out the fine print in the contract offer. Besides he has until the 8th to sign anyway. Why end all the fun before then?
It’s like going to Six Flags over GA on a Saturday morning and you already won the best Prize available.
So, you take the 10 foot Giraffe to the car, lock it up and sneak back inside to enjoy some more rides until
The Park closes. Why stop having All the Fun?
You already know what’s in the car. You just don’t want all the fun to end!
drmaryb
July 3rd, 2010
7:17 am
Nobody
Once upon a time, in a small village far far away there lived a stubborn ole’ mule and an even more stubborn old man. They traveled to town to gather supplies and ran into a little boy, who asked,
“What is the name of your mule sir?”
The old man replied, ” She’s just a stubborn ole’ mule, She’s NOBODY! Now run along lad, we have to gather supplies.”. Now, this mule had a habit of refusing to do work or moving when most needed.
So, the old man would wind up his fist and wallop the mule right on the end of her nose to make her go!
As the old man loaded the saddle bags and prepared to travel home, the stubborn ole’ mule
dug in and refused to go. The old man wound up his fist and reared back to wallop the mule
on the end of her nose, when she spun around 360 degrees and double hoofed the old man, knocking
him flat on his back.
The little boy saw this and ran for help, when the Sheriff arrived, the old man lay there, lifeless and
barely breathing. The Sheriff lamented and asked the old man, ” Who did this sir?”
The old man gasped and said, “NOBODY!”
The moral of the story is: be careful who you call Nobody.
HeeI-Haw!
Fans, Joe Johnson is SOMEBODY! Somebody you don’t already have.
The higher Joe soars, the smaller he appears to those who can NOT fly!
drmaryb
July 3rd, 2010
7:36 am
Happy 4th of July!
Today is – Independence Day!
Mr. Johnson is an Independent Free Agent and he owes the Fans Nothing!
So, stay humble, thank him for his services, he put your team on the map again – yet, you
Boo Him and are ungrateful.
Nuff Said! If I were him, I would at my alternative options too. Why NOT?
real truth
July 3rd, 2010
8:17 am
I would pull his offer off the table. The fact that the Hawks offered him the max and he still wants to look around means he’s not commited. He’s damn lucky he is getting the 6yr max contract offer. Other teams who want to sign him along with Lebron or d wade are not offering max money. If I’m Sund I take the offer off the table if he wants to be arrogant about it. Sund should look for a trade to improve the team and move on. Joe ain’t worth that kind of money anyway.
real truth
July 3rd, 2010
8:20 am
I just realized there is another person posting under the real truth handle so I’m going to change my screen name. I just posted @ 8:17 but I didn’t make the waffle house posted earlier.