Atlanta Hawks: Their Crawford conundrum
Can the Hawks keep Crawford smiling?
Just two weeks until training camp, blog people, and all is quiet on the Hawks front. And under the circumstances, “quiet” really means: “Jamal Crawford and the Hawks might be headed for a showdown.”
As everyone knows, Crawford wants a contract extension for what he believes to be his market value or, failing that, a trade. He’s pushing for an extension both because of the past (his Sixth Man of the Year season) and the future (the looming specter of a new CBA).
The Hawks have contemplated Crawford’s request for going on two months now. But they seem reluctant to offer him a long-term contract because of the past (long-term deals for Bibby and Marvin last summer and J.J. this summer) and the future (possible contract extension for Al).
That brings us to the present. The best-case scenario for the Hawks would be for Crawford to report to camp and put the extension talk on the backburner with promises to take care of him later, no hard feelings. That way Atlanta gets Crawford doing his thing off the bench for another season and doesn’t have to add him now to its growing list of long-term financial obligations.
But you have to wonder how that would sit with Crawford. In his only public comments since word leaked of his pay-me-or-trade-me request, Crawford didn’t shoot down the stories and instead pointedly declined to even talk about playing for the Hawks in 2010-11.
That doesn’t sound like a guy who has any intention of backing off his request. Crawford would report to camp without the promise of an extension since there’s no real advantage for NBA players to hold out. He also would have incentive to put in another good year with a good team and hit free agency next summer with his value still high.
But Crawford also would see that he’s the only member of Atlanta’s proverbial “core” who isn’t under contract beyond 2010-11. Whether you think the Hawks should extend Jamal or not, we’ve all seen situations where players (or people, really) who don’t feel appreciated or respected by their organizations also aren’t as productive.
The fact that Crawford apparently is willing to play out the final year of his deal elsewhere suggests he fits into that category. Crawford’s “nice guy” public demeanor is what you get in private, too, but this, as they say, is business.
So this is the dilemma faced by the Hawks. They have the most leverage because they have Crawford under contract and are under no obligation to offer him an extension or trade him. The Hawks could tell Crawford they aren’t in position to meet his contract demands and don’t intend to trade him, and then hope Crawford’s desire to showcase for his next deal while playing for a winning team eventually will trump any hurt feelings.
But taking that stance could threaten the team’s chemistry and cohesion before the season even gets started. I don’t need to remind you that both of those things unraveled for the Hawks by the end of last season. L.D. already has a lot on his plate before adding a disgruntled sixth man to the list.
That’s not to say the Hawks will give in to keep Crawford happy but they obviously have to consider how not doing so could affect chemistry. You can see where both sides are coming from in this. Harder to see is the room for compromise if Crawford sticks with his demands and the Hawks stick with their fiscal plan.
The Hawks probably anticipated Crawford would seek an extension after he slid seamlessly into the sixth man role and turned in his best season. What they may not have foreseen was that the request would come with a “or trade me” addendum, which has led to this delicate dance as camp approaches.
Things are quiet for the Hawks right now but a storm could be brewing.
MC
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332 comments Add your comment
Fundamentals
September 14th, 2010
11:49 pm
So who gets Dampier? Is he good enough to allow Dampier/Thomas/Collins at C and Al/Powell at PF? I wouldn’t think so, but what say you?
JSS
September 15th, 2010
12:00 am
What a heartbreaker! Seattle won’t be getting any homecooking on Thursday! Go Dream!
Grandad
September 15th, 2010
12:04 am
Fundamentals
I read somewhere, a little while ago,
that OKC was a possible destination. [Dampier]
Sorry to be vague. May have been “Hoops World”.
Fundamentals
September 15th, 2010
12:11 am
It’ll be interesting to see who gets him and for how much. I don’t know if we need him? Depends on Etan and how he can play physically. I guess we can all dream about the McLean Cheeseburger we’re promised. Is Dampier fast enough to be of value against Howard? I still feel we need a young, hungry talent w/ speed and energy, not a washed up old man. No offense…Grandad.
Grandad
September 15th, 2010
12:20 am
Najeh
[from 11:11 pm]
That’s awful to even think about.
I had forgotten about that.
It’s my nature to think about “why” Shelden?
[in the aforementioned draft]
I had decided on Rudy Gay – thinking he was the best pick,
even if he was another wing.
Alas, we all knew it was Shelden prior to the draft.
Luck is luck.
But stupidity doesn’t have to be.
Grandad
September 15th, 2010
12:30 am
Fundamentals
None taken.
I also think we need another Big.
It’s that my concept is what I “think” fits LD’s system.
A stretch [4] or [5] / capable on def. / high B-ball IQ
gifted passer / preferable 7 ftr that can defend the rim.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
1:54 am
The Realist!
Najeh
You inspire me. The diatribe was phenomenal as usual the
Logic is so tight – That, all I can be is mesmerized. I admire and respect
You so much for always keepin’ it Raw and Real. You are by
far, heads & shoulders above the rest! Thanks for caring about
This Blog and I will focus to stay on topic as well!
That’s my A – Game.
Enthusiastic Co-Sign to ALL that ish you were spittin’!
(*_*) -mary e. The Optimist- w/mad.love
The Hawks right now?
- Are another story for another day.
O'Brien
September 15th, 2010
5:56 am
Hawks will not pursue dampier, because we are already at 13 players (SG makes 14). And we already have Zaza and Collins.
Even if we pursued him, he probably would not sign with us anyway. He probably wants to be with a team that will allow him more PT.
Najeh,
Its tough to play what ifs. What if we had taken cp3 or deron instead of Marvin?
vava74
September 15th, 2010
7:53 am
OB,
Don’t be guilty of perpetuating something which is not correct.
JJ’s words after the booing were completely miss interpreted and taken out of context* – came out sounding something which was not what people interpreted with the HELP OF THE MEDIA who only want controversy.
JJ’s words were against the players themselves and meant “that regardless of the fans, they had a responsibility to show up and play and they didn’t. So the booing did not add anything to the matter since he was already pissed off on his own”
* JJ is neither articulate nor outspoken so every time he comes out of his shell and says something it never sounds good. He could be ecstatic with joy about something and still sound as if he was in a mourning or just had a tooth extracted.
Ramon
September 15th, 2010
7:57 am
Grandad, that sounds like Marcus Camby to me.
Camp is around the corner… | Atlanta Hawks: Fan Nest
September 15th, 2010
8:26 am
[...] Some of the more knowledgeable whispers are that Jamal isn’t going to back down off of his “pay me or trade me stance.” The Hawks aren’t liable to be in a hurry to usher out another extension to anybody not named [...]
ICECOLD
September 15th, 2010
8:31 am
best trade senerio
carmelo anthony
marvin
zaza
i dont know if it would work but that trade would be a dream come true
oh.. and erick dampier is a free agent now.. he’s a pretty good center that might take the vet minimium
jamal crawford
and next years 2nd round pick
and that three million dollars
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
9:24 am
Vva74
Thank You for keepin’ it real about those JJ comments.
When, I 1st heard the interview? I had the exact same
Interpretation myself.
It is one thing to hear it through the grapevine and something
totally different to hear it for yourself.
Unfortunately, for most – Perception is Reality.
This team as presently constructed is not a team worth
going into the daunted Luxury Tax. However, it will take
an impactful PG and quality Big Man to get us to the Elite
level.
IDK if Teague is that guy yet, but IDK Al & Josh can’t do it
alone. Now Al said that exact same thing and seems resigned
to go to war with what he has. Doesn’t sound like a ringing
endorsemen by any stretch. IDK how the new offense will
step up, but I am more concerned about the defensive side
of the ball. I will have to say, really concerned.
The defensive coach Conner will be instrumental more than
anything. Will Thomas Powell and Teague be enough?
That is a lot of hope riding into next season.
Realistically, The Hawks have steep hill to climb.
Optimistically, the suddle changes are organic and genius
IF, sufficient.
Pessimistically, IDK yet.
The Jamal conundrum will have to work itself out or we
need to trade for that banger @ 5. Sorry Grand-Daddy,
but, not another stretch 4-5. Al, became more of that last
season. Hopefuuly, Etan can do the Otis Thorpe, Charles Oakley
and Rick Mahorn type banging with a short jumer/bank shot
or sky hook. I don’t think he is THAT guy offensively.
But, Zsa Zsa could be, he has the makings.
I guess this core and role players really, really, really need
to step up!
I am cautiously Optimistic at best. I would like to see Billups arrive
should Melo go and The Nuggets tear it down. That will take
this team to Elite status over night and warrant nibbling at
those taxes.
Like Najeh said last night – Build it? We will come, not before.
OKC can only be described as rabid because of Durantula and
not because they are the only show in town. We don’t have
a guy like him on this team. No where close.
Our team will have to become a Doc Rivers driven missle with
no apparent future HOF’s on it. IDK is Drew can do that or not?
I can only Hope.
JeJe
September 15th, 2010
9:43 am
I haven’t been on here these past 2 months because there’s nothing to talk about. I’ve made my points time and time and time and time again:
Bibby and Marvin suck. Sund has an air of confidence about himself and is only concerned about being a top 4 team – not winning. He said we are veterans after we got killed by Orlando (no mention of the Cleveland series last year). We have money to spend (sold picks, trade exceptions blah blah blah) and owners won’t even go into LT although they said they would for the right player.
This team will be the #6 seed in the East this year.
We could’ve signed Shaq, we could’ve traded Marvin + trash for a Monta Ellis, but we didn’t
FIRE SUND
ICECOLD
September 15th, 2010
9:44 am
we should not worry too much.. we where good last year. teams have gotten better.. but our young players have gotten better… we got a couple of big men thats better then last year.. then we have a better coach.. jamal crawford needs to jus enjoy this season.. who knows.. he might get a ring.. and if he do. i bet he stay for a vet minimum
JeJe
September 15th, 2010
9:44 am
ZaZa and Marvin for Carmelo?
LOL! That’s exactly why I don’t post here anymore. Half of you know nothing about basketball
ICECOLD
September 15th, 2010
9:49 am
i said zaza, marvin, jamal crawford and a second round draft pick, and that three million they got in the draft if it works !!!
read it again .. they get players thats a decent bench, and another starting small forward in marvin williams.. a big men, and the six man of the year..
if melo doesnt wanna stay their .. then it is worth it on their end..
and the hawks are known for trading nothing and getting somethin..
acie law and speedy claxton for jamal crawford,
ty lue, anthony johnson, and l wright for mike bibby..
and a first round pick for joe johnson… yeah that trade for melo would work
O'Brien
September 15th, 2010
10:01 am
vava,
I agree that how JJ’s comments sounded was probably not what he meant, and he was probably speaking out of frustration too. His comments don’t bother me much.
However, some fans were turned off by his comments. So my point is the ASG should have had a press conference for him to explain/soften his comments, because some of these fans are turned off by his contract too.
And if the ASG want to increase attendance, I think marketing wise, it would have been a good idea to have him talk to fans.
It was interesting to note that the Timberwolves took out a full page ad in the paper to talk to their fans (and even went as far as saying they would not be competing for a championship this year).
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
10:17 am
O’Brien
Said this: “And if the ASG want to increase attendance, I think marketing wise, it would have been a good idea to have him talk to fans.”
Woe … Nellie! Are you sure you want Mr. Johnson to talk to
the media? Be careful, but aaah …. That’s how this whole
thing got started!
rof – lol! Seriously, all jokes aside, Just Win! Forget about
exterminating energy required to hug each and every fan’s neck.
Just Win!
Just Do It!
- for the love of basketball ….. for goodness sakes.
Bertie
September 15th, 2010
10:33 am
Going back to some realistic trades for JC1. Assuming that ASG’s priority is to sign AL before anybody else and stay under the luxury tax for the next couple of years, they might not even want to resign JC1 after next year unless it is at a discount (6-7MM per). Having said that, trading him now makes sense.
Lang Greene from Hoopsworld wrote a piece yesterday about 3 “realistic” trade scenarios for JC1.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17321
1. JC1 to 76ers for Lou Williams and Kappono.
2. JC1 to Pacers for TJ Ford and Danthay Jones (or Brandon Rush)
3. JC1 and Mo to Cavs for Antawn Jamison.
I like the 76ers trade proposal, the Pacers is interesting and do not like the third.
cp
September 15th, 2010
11:13 am
Those are not terrible trade proposals but knowing Sund he wont pull the trigger on a move. I still think he would rather let Crawfords contract come off the books so they can have more money for a Horford deal. And Ive been saying the same thing for a while now JeJe. The front office is so content on being a top 4 seed that they don’t seem to have ambitions to want more. They have been saying it for two years now. I wonder how long they will feed us they like the core company line.
Ramon
September 15th, 2010
11:15 am
Bertie, I kinda like the 3rd because Jamison can play the 3. And if he’s willing to be the sixth man, he would do well with us. For a motion offense, Jamison has the skill set you would look for. If you remember he had his best years in the motion offense in Washington. And he’s a veteran who you don’t have problems out of.
O'Brien
September 15th, 2010
11:22 am
Drmaryb,
The hawks have been one of the best home teams in the entire league the last 2 years. But fans still ain’t showing up consistently. So “just winning ” is not enough. Not in the regular season anyway.
Rev in Tampa
September 15th, 2010
11:28 am
Not to discourage the conversation here, but MC has a new, very short blog posting. Pape Sy is finally securely in the Hawks’ nest.
vava74
September 15th, 2010
12:29 pm
OB,
previous post: co-sign
It’s the ASG’s responsibility to dispel the incorrect reports on JJ and “re-brand” him.
These guys are complete idiots and not for the reasons most complain: I accept that they don’t want to go into luxury tax territory and I accept that a conservative approach to wheeling and dealing could give us better results than just be “active” during the off-season.
HOWEVER, you need to pay attention to your customers and SELL the Hawks to them.
One the sales tools would be to have orchestrated JJ appearances to clarify beyond doubt what he said back then and what is his demeanor towards the new season.
He should be seen saying exciting stuff about the Hawks and Drew even if they had to point a gun at him.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
12:56 pm
O’Brien
I’ve been saying it loud the past week that:
We Need a Bow-Draw Super-Star on this team.
The fans may be reluctant to believe we have that hidden
somewhere on this roster’s core. But, this would be the time
for someone to step up to the plate and swing!
vava74
Let that ole’ story die. Why give it new life by keep talking
about it! The fans need to grow a pair and move on.
I believe the Mr. Johnson’s comments are a non-story at this point.
Rev in Tampa
I love your contributions to the basketball topics.
Don’t forget to ask Mr. Jim Price about his take on the:
1. Super-Friends in So. Beach
2. The State of The Union basketball wise, re: player movement
Versus work ethic for the salaries paid comparable to the 70’s
and 80’s.
Terrific comments bloggers,thanks!
Gotta’ go pay some bills now – later.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 15th, 2010
1:10 pm
Bertie said these are the trade scenarios for JC1 from hoopsworld:
“1. JC1 to 76ers for Lou Williams and Kappono.
2. JC1 to Pacers for TJ Ford and Danthay Jones (or Brandon Rush)
3. JC1 and Mo to Cavs for Antawn Jamison.”
I like scenario #1 the best.
Grand-Daddy posted the identical TFD (trade for the day) yesterday:
And, he recommended trade scenario #1 with a third player added.
G-Daddy is all over it. Will Philly bit e? Grand-Daddy said:
“Like a beautiful woman, you will NEVER know until you ask?”
Aye … Sund! Are you back yet?
2 FOR JOHN DREW
September 15th, 2010
8:53 pm
Drmaryb, Najeh, & Grandad …. I really enjoyed you guys !!!!!!!!
Ken Strickland
September 16th, 2010
10:37 am
Concerning the Jamal Cawford situation, suppose we keep him for the entire season and allow his contract to expire. We use JCrawford’s $10.8M and MEvans’ $2.5M expiring contracts($13.3M combined), along with the $5.4M we’re currently paying Horford(total $18.7M), to resign Horford. Then, we trade Bibby’s $5.56M contract, which would be an expiring contract at the end of this season, along with our $3.3M trade exemption.
If we resign Horford in the $14M range, that would leave us $6 to 7M under the cap, which is more than enough for us to sign a backup PG to replace Bibby, assuming we don’t get one in the Bibby trade. I believe the Hawks roster is set, except for the final disposition on Jamal Crawford. It’s almost a certainty we’ll enter the season with PG’s-JTeague, MBibby, PF’s-JSmith, JPowell, C’s-AHorford, ZPachulia, EThomas, JCollins, SF’s-MWilliams, MEvans, PSy, SG’s-JJ, JaCrawford, JoCrawford.
sam'l
September 18th, 2010
9:08 am
NorthClyde does a great job of using facts to make his arguments. Unfortunately, for those of us who followed him last year, he has no credibility left to begin with.
Get it through your head….we have four great players….JJ, JC, AH and JS. All the rest can be traded, for that center who is just waiting to become a starter in Atlanta and who wants off his team much more than Jamal does.
AtlantaNative05
September 21st, 2010
1:10 am
The hawks need to make changes and consider picking up Carmelo Anthony. How would a trade of Marvin Williams with Al Hartford for the star player. Now, if the Nuggets decline that offer than the hawks can do Marvin Williams and Josh Smith. Anthony and J.J. together would not only generate ticket sales,but would attract other rising NBA stars to look in Atlanta’s direction.
Hoops
September 21st, 2010
11:43 am
Trade Crawford for Billups!!! If Denver trades Melo, they will go for this trade so they can get younger and free up some cap space for next year.