Atlanta Hawks: Money matters
The league set the salary cap at $58.044 million and the luxury-tax threshold at $70.307 million. What it means for the Hawks is J.J.s salary will be more than expected, they gained some wiggle room under the tax threshold and Chill’s qualifying offer could put them in a jam. Humor me with some technicalities so I can be transparent with my math in case it’s wrong (I will update later if I figure out any of the figures are off):
In one of those weird CBA quirks, max deals are not based on the team salary cap, which is 51 percent of Basketball Related Income, but are pegged to 48.04 percent of BRI. (EDIT: reader Robert Dinterman emails to note that Projected Benefits are part of the formula and since those haven’t been made public yet these are just estimates) . For a player with J.J.’s experience, his maximum salary is the greater of 105 percent of his 2009-10 salary of $14.98 million ($15.7 million) or 30 percent of the max cap figure, which is about $16.4 $16.3 million (EDIT: this will be lower once benefits are included in formula).
So J.J.’s deal starts at $16.4 $16.3 million, with 10.5 percent raises per year, for a total value of about $124 $123.7 million. The breakdowns for following years (with rounding): $18.1 $18.01 million in 2011-12, $19.8 $19.723 million in 2012-13, $21.5 $21.43 million in 2013-14, $23.2 $23.15 million in 2014-15, and $24.89 million in 2015-16.
The league set the luxury-tax threshold at $70.307 million. Once J.J. signs, the Hawks will have roughly $65 million committed to 10 players when included Jordan Crawford’s rookie-scale deal. So the Hawks can add up to about $5 million in salaries until they must pay the tax.
That brings us to the mid-level exception, which was set at $5.765. The Hawks can sign a player to a contract with a first-year salary up to that amount or split it among more than one player, but if they use all of it it looks like they will pay some of the dollar-for-dollar tax in addition to missing out on the tax rebate money for non-tax teams.
And don’t forget about where Chills fits in all of this. If he signs Atlanta’s $4.8 million qualifying offer it will increase the payroll to near the luxury tax level. The Hawks want to get something for Chills and will try to work out a sign-and-trade. But they might also have to consider renouncing his rights lest he accept the offer at any minute and put them in a position where each additional player costs them double with the tax.
The Hawks also have their bi-annual exception available. They can use that to sign a player for up to two years and $4.3 million (it also can be split but veterans make more with the minimum).
MC
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154 comments Add your comment
JeJe
July 7th, 2010
11:14 pm
Trade Duck+Bib for the best PG possible (I hope), sign Shaq, sign Barnes and that’s a perfect summer to me (besides Joe’s horrendous contract).
SO JOE, WHAT FA’S ARE U BRINGING IN? I WILL ASK IT ON EVERY BLOG
jojo sunshine
July 7th, 2010
11:15 pm
Sorry, you would have to substitute someone for Smith since he was in my other 5. Point would be CP3, the 2 would be Jamal Crawford, JJ at the 3, Rudy at the 4, and Horford at the 5. Small but quick and shoot the lights out of it.
Grandad
July 7th, 2010
11:18 pm
GMAN013
I know you didn’t ask me the question,
-BUT-
I would enjoy weighing in, if you don’t mind.
There are only four -NON- SuperStars with which
I would trade Josh:
*Derrick Rose [almost SS status]
*Tyreke Evans
*Stephen Curry
*Joakim Noah
truly1
July 7th, 2010
11:24 pm
MC do you think that ld can get jj to stop the isos
jojo sunshine
July 7th, 2010
11:28 pm
You would not trade Josh Smith for CP3? He is one of if not the best point guard in the league. He would make Atlanta a contender immediately. I would love to keep Smith and get CP3 – the alley oop dunks would be incredible.
Melvin
July 7th, 2010
11:30 pm
MC,
When the BASG (Badd or Broke Altanta Spirited Group) decided to retain Joe at all cost then the idea of not being a luxury tax team when out the window. It would be foolish to think that you would pay a max player and be a serious contender and not pay the luxury tax. I wonder who was the last team to win the championship and not pay the luxury tax? The Spurs comes to mind (without researching) b/c Duncan was good enough on his rookie contract to push that team to championship level.
JSS
July 7th, 2010
11:30 pm
@ Big Ray…
I finally answered your question, sorry for the delay…
Get us some players!!!
Grandad
July 7th, 2010
11:37 pm
Concerning Josh;
as everyone is seeing with this FA frenzy,
talent is valuable.
Josh is valuable.
Miami has D.Wade & Bosh + little else.
NY has Amare & little else UNLESS, LBJ,
then they have, what, ‘two’???
-My Point-
The Hawks have Joe = value
Al = value
Josh = value
Jamal= value
Teaguer = untapped value
Jordan C. = potential value
Marv, Bibby, Childress = value as chips or solid bench.
*Right now the Hawks are in better shape than we realize.
**All we see are our shortcomings.
We are on the precipice, but we cannot afford a misstep.
The way I see it:
Cleveland going downhill
Boston aging
Chicago going uphill [Boozer]
Orlando is still Orlando
Hawks ascending!!!
collibanks
July 7th, 2010
11:38 pm
MC
Forgive me if this sounds ignorant. But here it goes, can’t Joe willingly take less money, therefore lowering his contract to ensure that we can sign more effective pieces. It just seems that if he did this, then Sund would have more money to work with. It was his agent who said he was recruiting top level free agents. If ‘Bron, Wade and Bosh were all “willing to do it”. Then why wouldn’t Joe.
Truth-serum
July 7th, 2010
11:53 pm
J from the A
July 7th, 2010
10:56 pm
Horford’s fans obviously dont recognize that Josh is a better overall play than Al.After Al’s rookie contract is complete I think if anybody’s going to be traded it will be Al, After all, once you get past the al hype you find that hes a career 12pts 9 rbs. Nothing exception and certainly not the caliber of player Josh is, who by the way is a native of Atlanta.
Clyde
July 7th, 2010
11:54 pm
zzz
Truth-serum
July 7th, 2010
11:57 pm
Michael Cunningham Thanks for the specificity. Now that you mention it I meant both the league and hawks. Thanks.
HawkKingBibby
July 8th, 2010
12:08 am
Wait a minute a sportswriter who actually knows about the cap and what moves are and are not possible to make under it, WOW. Great job and Great blog M.C. I hope the Haks get Shaq just for entertainment value alone. He will give you plenty to write about so you should hope we get him as well.
pt
July 8th, 2010
12:21 am
MC what do you think about bring in Al Jefferson. I’m a true Grady Baby to the heart. So this next part to get him aches my soul. The timberwolf’s are looking for a oh my this hurts a J. Smith type of player. Then maybe add in M. William in the trade and it could also bring back a R. Session {spelling may be off good pg that we need}. Add in The Big Peachtree what would we be maybe a sharpshooter away. Bibby could fill that role. He is a very good set shot shooter.
MaxxHawk
July 8th, 2010
12:25 am
I keep hearing about trading Smoove, and I think that would be a terrible move for the Hawks. His game improved to an All-Star level last year, and he is still only 24. The Hawks Defense starts and stops with Josh Smith. He was the runner-up for Defensive MVP behind Dwight Howard last year, we all know about his shotblocking records. Trading J-Smoov, the hometown kid, would be a horrible move.
rusty
July 8th, 2010
12:27 am
hey joe who you bringing here. ha,ha i got my freaking money ha,ha
MaxxHawk
July 8th, 2010
12:29 am
Trading Marvin Williams for CJ Watson and signing DJ Mbenga would be a good move!
I Heart Atlanta
July 8th, 2010
12:44 am
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/07/07/source-shaq-prefers-spurs-wants-to-play-two-more-seasons/
either us or spurs is Shaq’s choice
KevinM
July 8th, 2010
12:58 am
At this stage, we will be fortunate to get anything of value for Chills. Saying that, we do have 10 roster slots fulfilled, but no way should we be finished….a couple of thoughts.
- Move Smoove to get us some bump up in the 1/2 court offense.
- Consider what will it take to get Oden or Thabeet….what will it take to get Oden? Is Conley an option from Memphis….
The focus should still be on improving the 1 and 5 slots…….this has been going on as long as we have been hoping for David Andersen to come overseas ot join us.
Joelhall
July 8th, 2010
1:11 am
Why are we trading Josh? He is young talented athletic can block can score…. Do we no want good players?
darrell starks
July 8th, 2010
1:25 am
IF THE HAWKS TRADE JOSH IT WILL BE THE STUPIEST THING THE HAWKS COULD HAVE DONE, unless it’s for and all star player like cp3.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 8th, 2010
1:27 am
I would trade horford and marvin for cp3 right now.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
HawkKingBibby
July 8th, 2010
1:27 am
WE DONT HAVE TO TALK HAWKS ANYMORE !!!!! Real gm and Newsday are reorting that LEBRON IS GOING TO MIAMI. Unless we GET KOBE were toast
cp
July 8th, 2010
1:29 am
O’Brien and myself have been talking about Josh Boone since the trading deadline. I like the idea of adding Boone and Carney.
darrell starks
July 8th, 2010
1:31 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYgSWGbEKsQ
darrell starks
July 8th, 2010
1:40 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtmuQoyKOWo
tckr83
July 8th, 2010
1:53 am
Lebron, Wade and Bosh cant play 48 minutes every game… much less in one game. The rest of Miami’s roster will be a joke! And just for arguments sake here… if Miami made the playoffs this year, the “New Big 3″ would be running on fumes by that point.
3 great players, no doubt… but they’ll be 3 tired, great players.
***Joe Johnson*** – Take a freaking pay cut (Durant 5yr/86M… who is better, no MUCH better player than you), allow the Hawks to get some other QUALITY pieces in here with your discount and get your title. It’s that simple. Loyalty goes both ways, the Hawks MADE you. Return the favor like many other star pro-athletes have done for their teams loyalty/willingness to win NOW (an immediate Max contract was on your front door as soon as the Hawks could).
It would make things so much easier for you and the Hawks to win a title in a city/state that both needs and deserves another one.
Go Hawks
darrell starks
July 8th, 2010
1:55 am
Lebron will sign with the heat wow!!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
July 8th, 2010
1:57 am
“Multiple reports” have also said LeBron is signing with half the other teams in the league. I’ll believe it when I see it. I think LeBron is too conscious of his legacy to join a team where he won’t be option #1.
I can see the Bulls or the Cavs, not the Heat.
darrell starks
July 8th, 2010
1:58 am
The hawks have 2 make a choice on horford or josh, the hawks need a star player.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
July 8th, 2010
2:00 am
CP3, JOE, JOSH, VS WADE, LEBRRON, BOSH.
THE HIGHLIGHT FACTORY WILL BE JAM PACK.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Clyde
July 8th, 2010
2:08 am
Teams in the East are adding players and improving but the Hawks are just sitting on the azz.
cp3
July 8th, 2010
2:12 am
hey guys trade for me! i hate it in new orleans, i want to win games, and would like to go to a team thats contending. you don’t need smoove, chills, bibby, and marvin. you need ME!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
July 8th, 2010
2:19 am
Ray Allen is staying in Boston for 2 years and $20 million.
Emir S.
July 8th, 2010
2:21 am
Bosh going to Miami, Boozer to the Bulls, Amare to the Knicks. I have a feeling that James might go to New York now.
Bosh/Wade = Stress for Hawks
Boozer/Rose = Stress for Hawks
Amare/LeBron = Stress for the Hawks
Nets = Possible Stress
We are in alot of trouble…..
Oh and lets not forget the Magic, the Bucks, and the Celtics, and even the Bobcats. All who have one-two punch combos. With the Celtics having like a one-two-three-four punch combo.
We are gonna have so much trouble competeing if we dont pick up the right free agents. I hope Teague is a superstar waiting to crack out of his shell. I feel we are gonna need him to step up BIG time next season.
STRETCH
July 8th, 2010
2:38 am
The Hawks will probably be a 6th seed at best next year.
Real Talk
July 8th, 2010
3:09 am
The Hawks will be nonexistent after Lebron signs with the Heat tonight. Shout out to the Miami Heat Management at least they are showing REAL COMMITMENT TO WINNING unlike ASG.
Clyde
July 8th, 2010
3:15 am
I thought the sweep in the 2nd round by the Magic would wake the Spirit group up but I guess I was wrong. They think a new coach is all the changes that need to be made. Sorry to burst ya bubble but Larry Drew ain’t a miracle worker.
Top teams in the east next year:
Heat
Boston
Magic
Bulls
Bucks
Hawks
vava74
July 8th, 2010
3:24 am
A few commentaries:
No “top” FA but Shaq has shown interest in joining the Hawks.
And few top teams have shown interest in Shaq.
This is a marriage by necessity in the works since both parties need to save face.
It’s Mo Malone all over again.
JJ vs Durant: Durant is indeed a star on the rise but his defence is no way at JJ’s level.
Also, even with all the “help” he gets from the NBA (refs) which is diametrally opposed to the lack of “help” JJ gets, JJ’s CLUTCH NUMBERS THIS SEASON WERE BETTER THAN DURANT’s.
Check it on http://www.82games.com
As for the playoffs: JJ was averaging 27,5 ppg 7,5rpg and 4,5apg during the first 4 games of the Milwaukee series whilst playing excellent D on Salmons and Jennings.
The problem came when the team imploded in the locker room and he – and we can blame him for this – stopped believing and lost his focus.
With a different offense and a smarter D, JJ will excel.
vava74
July 8th, 2010
3:31 am
Also, to put Josh on the trading block is stupid.
His contributions were vital to get a large chunk of those 53 wins.
It’s much easier to replace Crawford’s points with better ball movement and better execution on offense than to replace all that Josh brings to the table with or without stupid jump shots.
Also, although I think Jamal is a very nice kid, his D (lack of) is a problem which in many occasions was not off set by his offense (who in many games is way off – specially in late game situations – again, check the clutch stats on http://www.82games.com).
cory dillinger
July 8th, 2010
3:55 am
hey I got lets trade marvin and mo evans for kobe and gasol or bibby and jamal for derron williams that is the nonsense these bloggers put out there, the other team has want what we have….. that being said how about chilldress and bibby for gilbert arenas
uugh
July 8th, 2010
5:23 am
Thanks a lot JJ. No obne wil even touch his contract after that first year. The onlly way we get better is if the ASG is prepared to go all in and pay the Luxury tax.
STRETCH
July 8th, 2010
5:53 am
And what gets me is JJ knows he is NOT worth that much money. But players like him have come along before and they will continue to. They ask for all that money cause they know some idiots will give it to them.
So do not be shocked when they are knocked out of the 2nd round for the 3rd straight year!
Neki Ecko
July 8th, 2010
6:19 am
I think if Lebron does go to Miami(about 95% now), that will be the key to start open up the flood gates for trades for the Hawks because it will be a Blood Bath with those three(Lebron, Wade and Bosh) together. So I think a trade to N.O. , Portland or GS will have to happened if they want to contiune as one of the elite.
dukester
July 8th, 2010
7:19 am
Here is how i see it
Marvin 8 million
Bibby 6 million
Chills 5 million
Puchalia 4 million
Thats 23 million dollars for players that im wondering what are there combined stats. We should be
able turn that into a starting center and a nice wingman that can shoot 3ptrs and another defensive stopper on the perimeter!!! We are gonna have to trade our way into an elite team I believe it can be done.
O'Brien
July 8th, 2010
7:29 am
I just hope Sund does not add a center, and call it a day, because there are tweaks that need to be made. We are stacked at SG, but JJ is our only solid defender, and we still don’t have a shooter. Also, I don’t think Mo Evans should see any minutes at SF (I wish he had opted out).
And even if we add a center, who is our backup PF? Even if Al gets minutes at PF, he shouldn’t be our starting center and our backup PF, because if he gets hurt, we would be in trouble at 2 positions.
I still think our best bet is via trade(s), most likely some combination of Jamal, Mo, Bibby, Chills and Marvin.
Jody
July 8th, 2010
7:46 am
If the LeBron news is true, it’s a wrap for the the South East division and the rest of the Eastern Conference. MLE addition and LLE addition ain’t gonna cut it now for the Hawks.
N-Trigue
July 8th, 2010
7:54 am
If I was coach I would put Zaza back in the starting lineup this is a combination we hardly ever saw with Woody at coach. I think Zaza is the type of player that needs to play consistent mins to make an impact on the game. It wasn’t too long ago when Zaza was averaging a double-double and was on the all star team ballot. Of course I thing the key is making adjustments if Zaza gets in early foul trouble you can either move Al to Center and move Josh back to PF and put a Sf in the game (marvin, Month or whoever we might pickup Childress hopefully) or leave the lineup the same and put our backup center in for Zaza. Lineup would be Teague, JJ,Josh S, Horford, Zaza bench Bibby, Mo , Shaq,Jamal C, Jordan C, Marvin, and hopefully Shannon Brown or Outlaw.
John
July 8th, 2010
8:08 am
IF Miami gets Lebron…let’s not all jump the gun. they will have 7 players…SEVEN (and that number is assuming the 3 2nd round picks make the team)….they have no more money…AT ALL. And they have to have a minimum of 13 players. WHO ELSE WILL BE ON THE ROSTER? lol Yeah, they will be nasty, but they still have NOONE to guard Dwight. their biggest player will be Bosh, who isn’t the most masculine player in the NBA. lol And Chicago with Boozer now….they are even better than Miami, WITH LEBRON. People see the big 3 superstars the same as Boston’s big 3. Boston has RAJON RONDO…very serviceable big men, and a pretty darn good bench. Miami would have the big 3….and…..yea, that’s it. No matter how you cut it, it’s still another ring for Kobe.
RoadKing
July 8th, 2010
8:09 am
I am sick of all this LJ crap. Giving LJ the MVP was a joke as the true and only MVP was and is Kobe. LJ is a freak talent wise don’t get me wrong, but he is a ball hog. LJ, D Wade and Bosh on one team will not work. Think about when Boston got KG and Ray, already having Pierce. Three very different type of players who complimented each other. LJ, Wade and Bosh do not. Chemisrty and team play is important and I don’t see it.
. Go blog on the Nicks, Nets, Wizards, Clippers, etc sites. The Hawks and ASG have done amazing since the AOL days and I look forward to the future. There is no way they are done this off season. See you opening night.
ASG – blogger’s had been saying your broke and won’t be able to sign JJ or your too Cheap. Now they say dumb move, you over paid. You did what you had too and keep up the great work. I went to all of the games your first year when you bought a mess from AOL and only won 13 games ( the haters have no memory and only like to complain ). I went to every home game last year and it was the best year as a Hawks fan. From 13 wins to 53 – I don’t see how a TRUE fan can’t see all you have done building a fun, winning team. Many many NBA cities would love to win 53 games and make it to the second round 2 years in a row. You have shown this fan your not cheap ( getting Joe in the first place and keeping him now, signing JC and keeping Smooth in ATL). All smart moves and not cheap – all helped the Hawks be a fun, winning team! To all your haters, must have lots of AOL stock