Atlanta Hawks: Still on track with J.J.
It’s still not (unofficially) official yet but Joe Johnson and the Hawks remain on track to reach agreement on a six-year, maximum contract for the free agent.
The Hawks and J.J. have been working out the details of the contract since a second meeting on Thursday. Some reports suggested Johnson was waiting to see what happens with other free agents before accepting the deal, but the Hawks have been confident a deal would be reached.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports! tweeted early Sunday that “the Bulls and Knicks have long since moved on” from trying to recruit J.J.
The contract is expected to be worth roughly $120 million, with the exact value to be determined after the league completes its audit later this week. The Hawks and Johnson can agree to terms now but a contract can’t be signed until July 8.
Once the contract is signed, the Hawks would about $63 million in salaries committed to 10 players for 2010-11. That includes J.J.’s projected salary of roughly $15.8 million and Jordan Crawford’s rookie-scale salary of about $1 million . The total doesn’t include the $4.8 million qualifying offer for restricted free agent Josh Childress.
MC
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157 comments Add your comment
Grandad
July 4th, 2010
11:44 am
Cliff:
Just to prove you are only a puppeteer & I am the Master.
Here is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
-or-
In other words a clue?
June 29th, 2010
4:43 pm
Big Ray @ 1:43 P.M.
Just change the names to protect the innocent.
You may want to mull this one over.
Check & Mate !!!
Chris E
July 4th, 2010
11:53 am
To add to your point Big Ray just think about how better the Hawks would be offensively with a fluid offense that moved the ball and found the open man. This would take good consistent PG play like in Boston. I believe Teague has that ability but not yet. He has to learn and has a great opportunity this year if played enough. LD will play him but I have to say that I have not given up on Bibby’s ablity to be effective. Yes he is slow but with a Bigman down low it would be much more difficult for the PG’s of the league to easliy breakdown our D. I don’t believe LD will do that much switching and with the pressure a ball moving offense would put on teams the pressure to keep up with the Hawks offensively would prevent teams from picking on Bibby. With all the talk surrounding Bibby he can still shoot at a high percentage when playing consistently, run the team the best & has great playoff experience!!! If we would be honest in our assessment of him, he did not play much down the stretch and that was more a coaching decision than his ineffectiveness. The best Hawks offensive at the end of games was always with JJ, Jamal & Bibby in at the same time because you had 3 bonafide scoring threats!!!
O'Brien
July 4th, 2010
11:54 am
D21,
I would have liked to see JJ resign with the Hawks for 6 years, $108 mil. And all he had to do was ask for a player option for the fifth year and 6th year. That way, if Hawks havent improved, he can opt out and go somewhere else.
However, as Ray pointed out, the Hawks have not shown any willingness to spend that extra money (this is the first time they have suggested luxury tax). And their suggests poor decision making.
In San Antonio, Parker and Ginobli were willing to take less money because Spurs had a history of winning, they are playing with one of the best PFs of all time, and playing for one of the best coaches of all time.
JJ doesnt have those kind of incentives.
Ray,
We have the ghost of BK, but Rick Sund didnt do too well last offseason either (except for the Jamal trade). $18 mil per year to Marvin, Bibby (3rd year guarantee) and ZaZa have limited our options this summer. And we still dont have Chills.
404atlhoops
July 4th, 2010
12:03 pm
D21,
I understand your concerns with the amount of the contract however, I seriously doubt Johnson would accept a 6yr/$90 mil deal espeically when Dirk who is 3 years older at 32 got a contract starting at 20 mil per for the next 4 years. If Joe is only going to get 15mil here, he’d be more inclined to take less at 11.5- 12mil so he can team up with lebron or wade else where. Rick Sund is just going to have to get creative in making moves to improve this Hawks team. I think the one think thing everyone on this blog can agree on is the Hawks do have chips to trade that are appealing to other teams. If the Wizards are seriously interested in Childress, I would love to see a sign and trade with them that somehow includes the Hawks recieving JaVale McGee.
Ken Strickland
July 4th, 2010
12:04 pm
If, or when, JJ signs the contract offer, the Hawks will have options. Hopefully, this will alleviate some of the concerns some of you seem to be having over his max contract, at least for those with an actual IQ and no personal agenda.
1-if he’s still productive after 4yrs, and they don’t want to keep him, they can trade him and eliminate paying the last 2yrs of his contract. That means we would have paid him $73.1M over 4yrs, which averages out to $18.3M per yr. That means we had him for his most productive yrs and paid him only $4.2M per yr more than we paid him last yr($14.9M).
2-if he’s still productive and we want to keep him, we can trade his very high, and what would be very attractive, expiring contract. That gives us 5 instead of 4yrs of excellent production and we would have paid him $95.5M over that period, which is only $5.5M more than the $90M 5yr contract some of you say he should get. And that $5.5M would be spread over 5yrs.
The average annual salary for 5yrs would be $19.1M, which would be $4.1M more than we paid him last yr. Please keep in mind I didn’t factor in the 10% annual increases he would also get if we offered and he accepted a $90M 5yr contract. So, based on what we paid him last yr, a max contract doesn’t look too bad, does it? Well, except for those who are too stupid to pour water out of a boot with a spout and the words TURN UP on it.
Simpdawg
July 4th, 2010
12:10 pm
Resigning Joe to a max contract and keeping the same core players from last season, will not make the Hawks contenders. They will have to make improvements to their roster, because right now the Hawks bigs are too small to compete day in and day out, with some of the other Eastern Conference team’s bigs, and Shaq is not the answer.
Chris E
July 4th, 2010
12:12 pm
Ken that looks good to me. McGee would not be bad at all to plug in the middle. Because of our athleticism at each position we don’t need a stud down low. We just need a presence!!!
Plus I believe if we keep Marvin he would be much better to us coming off the bench>
Reid Adair
July 4th, 2010
12:13 pm
Hopefully Joe Johnson is still waiting for an opportunity to move on with one of the top free agents from this group. I certainly keep my fingers crossed that some team taking Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh decides to add Johnson to the mix.
Johnson needs to be gone.
Southern Hawk
July 4th, 2010
12:20 pm
The best possible situation for the Hawks is as follows:
After putting the max contract on the table for J.J., he decides to pull a Dirk and sign for less. With a 6-year option with the Bird rule, he could still make more money out of his prime (33-34), than he normally would. He could sign like a 110 m contract over 6 years, and still come out with more money and save the team roughy 20m. This could be spent up upping Al horfords contract in a year, or on other FAs. Also doing this would probably give him some cred with the ATL fans.
Probably not going to happen, but one can hope.
Chris E
July 4th, 2010
12:22 pm
I keep my fingers crossed that people like Reid Adair don’t have an influence on the decisions made. Thank God, thats the case.
Reid Adair and others like you, stop hating and consider being a fan for another team. We definitely don’t need the negative energy!!!
JIMMYMACK
July 4th, 2010
12:22 pm
WHAT ABOUT THE ASSISTANT COACHES??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
mike
July 4th, 2010
12:24 pm
decent, honorable man from dallas dirt cut his own salary 16 mil. to get his maveric better in cap signing people. c,mon jj be the man you not deserve max., cut you salary volunterely like dirt, you still going to get more then enough to man and his family and relatives for life, but hawks will be much better. are you care about this team, they got you here from phoniex where you been 4 best player on the team and made you all star. be like dirt.
Ken Strickland
July 4th, 2010
12:26 pm
I still like DJ MBenga, who’s very quick, fast and athletic for a 7 footer. I believe his problem is he’s on a Laker team that’s half court oriented and doesn’t run much. Their OFF is really geared to having Bigs that are good OFF players, which he isn’t at this point. He’s a good rebounder and shot blocker, and with his speed, quickness and athleticism, his transition DEF would be excellent.
He and Zaza would make an excellent OFF/DEF tag team duo. What we needed most last yr is what he does best, and that’s rebounding and DEF(shot blocking).
O'Brien
July 4th, 2010
12:38 pm
Ken,
I think DJ MBenga or Johan Petro is worth a look. But only as a last resort if we strike out in free agency and trades.
The 2 trade proposals I have seen that I like, are:
1) Jamal and piece to Portland for Pryzbilla and Rudy Fernandez
2) Marvin and Mo to Golden State for Biedrins.
Josh for Biedrins has been suggested too (allowing us to move Al to PF), but I would give Josh one year in Drew’s system to see how he looks.
Marvin probably deserves a chance in Drew’s system too, but I think there are cheaper options at SF, or we can just bring Chills back to replace him.
Ken Strickland
July 4th, 2010
12:40 pm
SOUTHERN HAWK-your post gave me an idea. Do you suppose JJ would consider doing the Michael Jordan and take a reduced contact to allow the Hawks the flexibility to resign JChildress and a starting quality center? If he even remotely considered doing that to team up with CBosh and/or AStaudemire with the Knicks, he’d certainly be better off doing it with the Hawks, especially if we can resign Chills and a quality FA center.
I’d salivate at the thought of having a starting lineup of PG-JTeague, SG-JJohnson, SF-JChildress, PF-JSmith & C-AHorford, and a bench of MWilliams, ZPachulia, MEvans, JaCrawford, JoCrawford, MBibby & FA center ?.
atl fan
July 4th, 2010
12:45 pm
I dont understand some of yall because joe out did wade 2yrs ago when we played the heat in the playoffs and al is a all-star the hawks need to ge a deffensive center and they will be alright this team won 53 games ask the bucks heat bobcats bulls and celtics did they do the same by the way those r all playoff teams.and paul pierce is making the same kind of money at the age of 34 and I dont see celtics fans gripping
marcus
July 4th, 2010
12:46 pm
hawks back to their old tricks! why sign the selfish a** bum?
JeJe
July 4th, 2010
12:48 pm
“However, as Ray pointed out, the Hawks have not shown any willingness to spend that extra money (this is the first time they have suggested luxury tax). And their suggests poor decision making.”
The owners mentioned going into the LT last year if Sund is serious about winning — yet every move made has been cost-cutting.
AND STOP IT WITH THE MBENGA TALK. THE GUY SUCKS. HE CAN’T PLAY. HE’S NOT ANY BETTER THAN THE GARBAGE SUND DRAFTS (PETRO, SENE, SWIFT)
MY GOD
ballhawg3411
July 4th, 2010
12:48 pm
Guys,
We’ll stuck with A overpaid plain Joe. Deal with it!
Ken Strickland
July 4th, 2010
12:52 pm
OBRIEN-I’m with you all the way on the Josh and Marvin issue. Now that we have JoCrawford, even though he’s a rookie, I’d trade JaCrawford. I doubt seriously if we’ll resign him next yr, with JJ’s max contract and Horford’s contract coming up, so we should get something for him this yr and open up some extended mins and opportunities for JoCrawford.
Everyone seems focused on wanting to trade Josh, Marvin, Horford or JJ that no has mentioned focusing on MBibby as a trade option. I’d love to trade him and sign a vet PG that can do more than hang out above the ark shooting 3’s.
Tmac
July 4th, 2010
12:56 pm
I guess the Hawks are in a catch 22 cause if you don’t sign JJ they are not going to sign a big time free agent to come to Atlanta… So you got to do it, i guess.
Only thing I would do a little different is not make it 6 years. That handicaps your team a bit if the skills diminish.
One thing i would do is DUMP Marvin Williams. He blows and his 8 million $$ (approx) could be better spent on anyone else who can actually shoot.
404atlhoops
July 4th, 2010
12:59 pm
KEN,
When did Jordan take less for the betterment of the Bulls? He was always grossly underpaid simply because players’ salaries were not as lucrative as they are today. I know Jordan’s last year with the Bulls he was making 33 million. Maybe I’m too young to remeber.
luangtom
July 4th, 2010
1:01 pm
I keep forgetting, it is just a game. Yet, millions of dollars get spent on a few to entertain us while thousands in the Metro make minimum-wage. Something does not compute……..
darrell starks
July 4th, 2010
1:02 pm
Here is the latest rumor joe will not sign with the hawks until lebron sign with a team.
1.If lebron sign with the knicks then joe will sign up with knick.
lebron, joe, amar’e
2.If lebron sign with chicago then joe sign with chicago.
rose, joe, lebron, noah
3. now if lebron sign with any other team then joe sign with the hawks.
so everything depend on where lebron sign when it come 2 joe.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Ken Strickland
July 4th, 2010
1:03 pm
JEJE-I’ll bet every NBA GM and HC thought just like you about Big Ben Wallace and CBillups, before GM Joe Dumars rescued them from the end of their respective benches and turned them into All Stars by teaming them up with a HC who had an OFF and DEF system that took advantage of their skills.
Remember, opinions are like A holes, we all have one.
ryan
July 4th, 2010
1:04 pm
Wants JJ signs there is going to be a trade one of the two Josh’s will be gone and think its Childress because his stock is rising we could get a M. Ellis or Carmello Anthony .
Ken Strickland
July 4th, 2010
1:10 pm
404ATLANTAHOOPS-Jordan took less salary to add more veteran talent to the roster. After they got enough tenure to qualify under the LBird rule, the Bulls we able to pay MJ what he gave up.
ATL-Dolfan
July 4th, 2010
1:11 pm
When he signs, it will effectively be the death blow for the Hawks for a while. It will be a waste, its like getting paid like a CEO when you are mid level manager! Good if you can get it even though you may not be particularly liked….
I want to know why the Hawks weren’t up there making a presentation to D-Wade? I mean the Clippers made a pitch to LeBron? Its worth the try and at least will get you some leverage with JJ and some good feelings from your fans. They may think you gave a ( you know what ) about the team..
Just my two cents.
hop
July 4th, 2010
1:19 pm
who cares this will do nothing to bring a title to atlanta. the hawks will still lack a big man in the middle.
lebron will be in miami causing the hawks to fall further down the line.
this current ownership have no clue and will eventually sell this club soon!
Jerry West
July 4th, 2010
1:26 pm
Ken,
What vet players did the Bulls add by MJ taking less? I always thought he had just gotten locked into a long term deal when revenues were smaller, and when the contract was up, he got the 30 mil deals. The money he was making before those deals was pretty much what star players were getting and may have been tops in the league at the time (pre rookie cap rookie deals excluded).
darrell starks
July 4th, 2010
1:28 pm
If joe leaves the hawks will not make the playoffs next year, unless ASG make some move.
TEAGUE, JAMAL, CHILL, JOSH, HORFORD
will not get it done.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
O'Brien
July 4th, 2010
1:53 pm
Ken,
The problem with Bibby, is he has very little trade value. Rick Sund gave him a 3 year guaranteed deal last offseason, so Bibby still has 2 years, $12 mil left.
If we had signed him for 2 years instead of 3, then he would have been an expiring contract this offseason, and would have had more value.
BigTimeTechFan
July 4th, 2010
1:55 pm
What teams have a better 4 then:
J Johnson, A hortford, J Smith, J Crawford
Hawks have solid 4 to win it all, just need right role players and a system that utlilizes the 4 talents right.
Some teams have 1 main guy better then any Hwk, with 1 equal to say J osh Smith. Cleveland and Orland
Cetlics have 4, Pierce, Rondo, Garnett, Allen but they are all way older but Rondo
Hawks will be ok with better coach, Finals if L Drew is that coach.
Hawks talent was not an issue last year, 100% coaching. Woodson gone so things should be a lot better next year.
Iceman
July 4th, 2010
2:12 pm
Atlanta Spirit is a bunch of idiots!!!!
Bubba G
July 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
Big Time Tech Fan, umm lets see how about the Lakers. Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Artest.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 4th, 2010
2:49 pm
“I want to know why the Hawks weren’t up there making a presentation to D-Wade? I mean the Clippers made a pitch to LeBron?”
Clippers have the cap space to sign LeBron. Hawks don’t have the cap space to sign any max player regardless of whether or not Joe stays. The only way the Hawks can get one of the marquee free agents is via sign-and-trade, and it is a very risky move to do that because if they try and fail to sign-and-trade for someone AND Joe leaves, they are left with nothing.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 4th, 2010
2:51 pm
Not to mention, a sign-and-trade for any player requires that their current team agrees. Teams with cap space can sign players regardless of what their original teams want.
JeJe
July 4th, 2010
2:54 pm
Joe to Hawks is done according to Sekou
chuckw/deadjournalist
July 4th, 2010
2:59 pm
Sekou just reported JJ to ATL is done
ryan
July 4th, 2010
3:02 pm
I like Shaq but his knees about gone i hope we go after Tyson Chandler then there is Rip Hamilton and Monte Ellis who we get for Josh Childress.
ryan
July 4th, 2010
3:20 pm
I think New York is paying to much for Stoudemire he has a bad knee and he surgery on his eye the Knicks are getting left overs Wade is staying Miami. I still think LeBron stays in Cleveland but Chicago is tempting.
Melvin
July 4th, 2010
3:23 pm
Welcome back Joe…..
A Robust Cup of Joe – Huffington Post (blog) | Free NBA Videos
July 4th, 2010
3:32 pm
[...] school gym in Santa Monica to watch one of my clients work out for a couple of NBA teams. …Atlanta Hawks: Still on track with JJAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Sources: Johnson likes Knicks, BullsESPNFree agency gone [...]
The Puppet Master
July 4th, 2010
3:40 pm
Sekou Smith via Twitter
JJ signs!
The Puppet Master
July 4th, 2010
3:42 pm
Now what about a Real bonafied “starting caliber center?
Candler Willis
July 4th, 2010
3:46 pm
Why dont they use that moeny fr amari stadomire.then u ove everyone down one spot..
Center-Amari Stadomire
Power Forward-Al Horford
Small Forward-josh Smith
Shooting Guard-Jamal Crawford
Point Guard-Jeff Teague
Thats the best Case we can get as hawks fans..
Hoops
July 4th, 2010
3:49 pm
(A message to Joe Johnson)
Welcome home Joe! Now, sell the Hawks fans on the fact that you are ready to win them a championship. Let the Hawks fans know that you are truly sorry for your comments last spring and you want things to be right between you and them! Joe, change the chemistry between you and the Hawks fans by humbling yourself. I promise you that they will welcome you back with open arms and will support the Hawks like a family!!! We all want the same things! Let’s do it together!!!
Now Hawks, make a trade for a 5 man that can play!!!
JeJe
July 4th, 2010
3:55 pm
WHY DO PEOPLE WANT JOSH SMITH AT SF?
DUMBEST POSSIBLE IDEA EVER.
STOP THIS RETARDED IDEA. JOSH SMITH IS NOT AN SF. HAVE U MORONS SEEN HIM PLAY?
NO, OBVIOUSLY NOT
Hawks Stink
July 4th, 2010
4:27 pm
The Hawks organization is the worst in the NBA.
A Robust Cup of Joe – Huffington Post (blog) | Basketball Video Zone
July 4th, 2010
5:41 pm
[...] school gym in Santa Monica to watch one of my clients work out for a couple of NBA teams. …Atlanta Hawks: Still on track with JJAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Sources: Johnson likes Knicks, BullsESPNFree agency gone [...]