Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry looking to trade but avoid the tax
Danny Ferry didn’t make the decisions that led to the Hawks owing $61 million in salaries next season to six veteran players on a team that’s topped out in the second round of the playoffs.
But now that’s he’s Hawks GM, Ferry will have to build a roster for next season without much financial flexibility. And he will have to start doing it pretty much on the fly because the free-agent negotiating period opens Sunday, less than a week after he took the job.
“It’s a crash course, for sure,” Ferry said. “I think we want to make the best decisions possible in the short term. We want to make right decisions, whether it’s a trade, whether it’s free agency. But especially trades.”
The trade market remains the best way for the Hawks to make significant additions to the roster (which of course means they’d also have to make significant subtractions).
They continue to get a lot of calls about Josh Smith but the impetus for pursuing Pau Gasol came from Rick Sund and Ferry so far hasn’t taken that baton. Ferry hasn’t even had a chance to fully assess the roster or meet the players.
Smith has a lot of value as a talented and productive player on a reasonable contract that expires after next season. Al Horford is an attractive piece, too, because he’s an All-Star big man locked up for four years and $48 million. Good luck dealing Joe Johnson with four years and $90 million remaining on his contract.
(Aside: I’ve heard some of my blog people wonder if Ferry will be “allowed” to trade Marvin Williams. Please accept that the Hawks have tried to trade Williams for at least two years and no one is biting. That shouldn’t be hard to do since you don’t want him on your team at his salary, either.)
If the Hawks don’t make a trade, then they’ll have to find some value on the free-agent market and perhaps get some contributions from unheralded rookies.
After signing first-round draft pick John Jenkins, Atlanta will have roughly $62 million in salaries committed to seven players. If second-round pick Mike Scott makes the roster and sticks for the year, that’s another $473,604. Ferry said he hasn’t decided if he will extend a qualifying offer to Ivan Johnson; if the Hawks do so and Johnson ends up playing on that deal, add about $1 million.
That’s about $63.5 million dollars for nine players. The roster minimum is 13 and the maximum is 15. The salary cap next season will be no less than $58 million. The luxury-tax threshold last season was $70.3 million and won’t rise significantly unless the players and league agree on a big increase in projected BRI for next season.
So, basically, the Hawks likely will have somewhere in the neighborhood of $6.5 to $9 million of room below the tax line to sign four to six players. Ferry said he’s authorized to spend into the tax but would like to avoid doing so.
“I want to build a roster that has some flexibility to it,” Ferry said. “Ownership has told me when appropriate, that when going over the tax makes sense as far as making us a better team, that is something we would be allowed to do. I want to use that judiciously, though, when you are given that opportunity to do so.
“In this new CBA, some of the challenges when being over the tax as far as trade restrictions as far as exceptions available to you going forward have changed the spending habits in the NBA. Would I think over the next few years we would go over the tax? I think there is a good chance but, again, I want to do that in a judicious manner.”
Ferry is talking about the more-punitive tax penalties that begin in 2012-13. Teams over the threshold will pay a higher tax; will have a smaller mid-level exception and no bi-annual exception; can’t take as much salary back in trades; and won’t be able to receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they are $4 million or more above the tax level.
Translation for the Hawks: Ferry can use the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions and make the Hawks tax-payers again but he’d better be sure he’s signing players that put the Hawks over the top.
“If the belief was it was going to make us a lot better, those things are on the table whether now or later in the year,” Ferry said. “The dollar amount certainly is a parameter as it relates to the tax. You’d prefer not to go over it. But right time, right trade, right thing [then] ownership, Bruce Levenson, has told me that if it’s appropriate and right and it would really make a difference we would have the ability to do so.
“I want to say with that I don’t think it’s always the right thing to go over the tax because of the rule and because of the way things operate. Most teams are never one player away. I think that’s a mistake sometimes teams make. We are going to look at opportunities and make a decision.”
The opportunities will be there for the Hawks on the trade market. There’s a sense of urgency because free agency opens in a couple days but Ferry said he plans to stay patient.
“Every player we may like, [the process] will take its own pace,” he said. “We will have some control over that but the players will have some control over that, as well. So we are going to make our calls on July 1, we are going to explore every option and hopefully we can make good decisions.
“Honestly, last year–I know I keep crediting Rick–but I thought they did a pretty nice job filling out their roster from where they were. Hopefully we can find avenues to do as well, [and] hopefully even better.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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363 comments Add your comment
SteveW
June 29th, 2012
6:00 pm
Willie Green really did ok during the regular season as a backup SG. Playoffs were another matter.
Rod hit that one dead on.
Billy
June 29th, 2012
6:04 pm
If Ferry could actually find someone to trade for Joe Johnson, he should be Executive of the Year immediately!!
Sautee
June 29th, 2012
6:11 pm
“With the “Danny boy” (Ferry) at the helm, you can expect the Atlanta Hawks (franchise) to become the “Duke Blue Devils” of the NBA. ” – High-Sider
This is total BS. The same Danny Ferry who re-signed Delonte West? If all he wanted was choir boys, he sure as hell wouldn’t have done THAT, now would he?
And High-Sider, how about answering this question:
So I ask again about this quote:
“GM Ferry will move a good player with some attitude issues like Josh Smith but will look to keep an overrated, mediocre player like Kirk Hinrich.” – High-Sider
What are you basing this accusation on?
Rob
June 29th, 2012
6:13 pm
I wonder what Ferry wants to do, take a step back and trade to get our financial future and overall future better, or try one more time with this group and just add in and around it. This free agency period is gonna be interesting.
hawksfancents95
June 29th, 2012
6:22 pm
there is no racially based thinking going on in the hawks front office. idk any hawks fans scared of ivan either, he may be emotionally unstable from time to time but he never has done any physical harm to anyone.
and i would be happy to have a duke blue devils type franchise, thatd mean we are what? in the final four every year with multiple championships? ill take that and the criticism of being “golden boys” if we are winning titles i dont give a shh how others perceve us if we are winning.
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2012
6:25 pm
“LOL….wrong. Chicago is a very good defensive team, and Orlando was a sorry one. But by your argument, Jamal was the shizzle…that is, until he ran into a team that could play defense (so how does that make him good again?).”
So based on your logic, James Harden is not good.
“But Jamal? If he’s so dang awesome, what happened out there in Portland?”
I did not know anything happened. Averaged 14ppg off the bench, shot a lower percentage than normal, but I would chalk that up to a new system and not knowing what his role is along with having to play the point (which I have always said he should not do) because of the horrible play of Raymon Felton. Led the league in FT percentage. Looks like the same guy to me. I guess he was the sole reason the Portland played poorly this year. LOL
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2012
6:30 pm
“This is total BS. The same Danny Ferry who re-signed Delonte West? If all he wanted was choir boys, he sure as hell wouldn’t have done THAT, now would he?”
Delonte West did nothing while he was in Cleveland but smash Lebron’s mom. All that wild stuff happened after Cleveland. Plus he has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder which is controlled by medication. Little different than being an all out thug or bad guy. Pick someone else.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 29th, 2012
6:31 pm
BIG IVAN FOR PRESIDENT
BIG IVAN IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HOLDS THE “CORE” ACCOUNTABLE AND HE GOT SENT HOME FOR IT.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 29th, 2012
6:33 pm
HAWKS PLAYED THIER BEST BASKETBALL WHEN HORFORD GOT HURT AND BIG IVAN WAS PLAYING SIGNIFICANT MINUTES.
Sautee
June 29th, 2012
6:43 pm
Rod,
Here’s what I was reacting to:
“The Atlanta Hawks will look to add players who are supposedly clean cut, upright, wholesome, have a positive image, have very little to no tattoos, have no checkered (chequered) past(s), “good guy” types.”
D. West certainly has never been described as “having little to no tattoos”.
doc
June 29th, 2012
6:47 pm
Jim no boeing hung would be too quick. Drawn and quartered with a slow painful bleeding death is more like it.
All this atas stuff is too much. That is what you need to be a player and have the might mentality? Vey funny because if that is all needed then favorite whipping boy Marvin would be home free. He is well tatted
doc
June 29th, 2012
6:53 pm
Man touch screens are very sensitive. That flew away.
In the old days a tattoo marked a white guy as probably a sailor. This was not part of the black or white culture when I was coming along but that of a serviceman trapped in some port on a binge with nothing better to do but sleep it off in a tattoo parlor somewhere.
Rufus1
June 29th, 2012
7:02 pm
Cap space -vs Players..
I believe the Hawks(Ferry) would have made the trade with the Rocket on draft night if they(Rockets) still had Dalembert(1.5mil buyout). They don’t want Kmart 12mil salary because it doesn’t allow them the money to sign a quality free agent.
If you are going to trade Josh, you need to be able to replace his production with the player or players you aquire…. If not, let him playout the year and get his money next year.
Josh is a very good player, so you can’t replace him with a rookie or some journeymen…
I think the trade with Houston may hinge on Toronto… If they can’t get Nash, they may work a 3 way trade to get Lowry(Raptors), Smith(Rockets) and rookies, cap space or players for the Hawks.
Grandad
June 29th, 2012
7:11 pm
High-Sider
” sometimes an NBA team might need a few players who are rough, rugged and raw with checkered pasts to get it (the team) “over the hump.” The Hawks should NOT be in the business of signing players to be “saints” (for the organization) or “sing in the choir”
In your attempt at racial bigotry;
you have stereotyped black people, white people, heck-fire;
you`ve stereotyped and offended everyone I can think of fella.
I know, love, have coached, coached with, am friends with,
have worshipped with black, white, Hispanic, and Pacific Island folks,
as well as Asian plus other cultures who are both clean cut as you say;
have tats, sing in the choir, have been in jail, are poor, are well off,
including body piercings, lived in the projects, lived in mobile homes,
lived in houses with no toilets, on farms, in cities, … and…;;;
they [both male and female] are as tough or tougher than any
stereotypical manifestation you concocted within your sad biased
mind.
Toughness has no skin color, no race, culture, nationality, gender,
particular brand of faith, is neither yankee nor Southern, not young,
old, rich, poor, or anything in between.
Just because JJenkins is a good kid;
does not mean he`s soft nor does it mean he is tough or not tough.
Isaiah Crowell carries a gun; does that make that kid a tough guy ?
-No-
It makes him Stupid !
Just like being a Bigot makes one an “Anal minded Moron” !
Melvin
June 29th, 2012
7:11 pm
OJ Mayo will become a UFA since Memphis declined to extend him a QO. Hawks needs to go after him.
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2012
7:15 pm
“In your attempt at racial bigotry;
you have stereotyped black people, white people, heck-fire;
you`ve stereotyped and offended everyone I can think of fella.”
I was not offended Grandad. I understood exactly what he was saying. You took it the way you wanted to take it. That is why you are offended.
Atl Fan
June 29th, 2012
7:15 pm
I get tired of coming on here and all I see is people dogging out the hawks. How do you people know that al horford doesn’t wana play center? You have no proof whatsoever so jus wait. Damn
High-sider
June 29th, 2012
7:17 pm
@Big Ray
“…BTW, getting sixth man of the year is what happens when you play in an ISO offense and you get to take the 2nd most shots on the team, while playing starter’s minutes because the starting SF on the team just can’t get the job done. Jamal should dedicate half that trophy to Marvin. Without him, he would not have gotten it.” – Big Ray @5:41pm dated 6/26/2012
Getting (Winning) the Sixth Man of the Year Award is what you get when you’re the best reserve in the NBA for a particular regular season. James Harden, Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Manu Ginobili, Leandro Barbosa, Mike Miller, Ben Gordon, etc. may or may not have taken the second most shots on their respective teams but those players were voted by basketball writers, analysts, experts, etc. as the best reserves in the NBA for a particular season. I’m almost certain that James Harden and Lamar Odom didn’t take the second most field goals (shots) on their respective teams when they won the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Do you think James Harden and Lamar Odom took more shots than K. Durant, R. Westbrook, K. Bryant, P. Gasol and A. Bynum. If Marvin should get some credit for Jamal’s SMOY Award, then Marvin should get credit for Horford’s two All-Star appearances and one All-NBA accolade, J. Johnson’s multiple All-Star appearances and Josh Smith DPOY runner-up and 2nd team All-NBA defensive team membership because JJ, AH, and JS had to cover up for Marvin’s lack of scoring, rebounding, defense, etc.
————————————————————————————-
@Rod from College Park
Keep up the good posts by putting these “clowns” aka AJC Hawks bloggers in check.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 29th, 2012
7:18 pm
Atl Fan
June 29th, 2012
7:15 pm
I get tired of coming on here and all I see is people dogging out the hawks. How do you people know that al horford doesn’t wana play center? You have no proof whatsoever so jus wait. Damn
You must be new to the blog. Welcome.
Rod from College Park
June 29th, 2012
7:20 pm
“I get tired of coming on here and all I see is people dogging out the hawks. How do you people know that al horford doesn’t wana play center? You have no proof whatsoever so jus wait. Damn”
So that you won’t get tired, don’t come here.
High-sider
June 29th, 2012
7:21 pm
@Big Ray
Here’s a link for NBA SMOY Award winners.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html
Atl Fan
June 29th, 2012
7:25 pm
And then you got mad when someone says something you don’t like. Funny
Shamrock
June 29th, 2012
7:38 pm
Where is Najeh Davenpoop? I bet he is stalking preschools right about now
Sautee
June 29th, 2012
7:42 pm
High-Sider, how about answering this question:
about this quote:
“GM Ferry will move a good player with some attitude issues like Josh Smith but will look to keep an overrated, mediocre player like Kirk Hinrich.” – High-Sider
What are you basing this accusation on?
KevinM
June 29th, 2012
7:49 pm
Step 1 this week to prepare for being a player in the FA signings:
1) Find out the amnesty schedule for Marvin, dump his 15M because he is definitely not going to give that last year player option.
If the ASG says its okay to go into the luxury tax, why not just free up 8.27 this year, 7.5M next year and that one move benefits this team more than any minimum salary vet we can bring in here.
How much does that expand your FA options? A couple of names: DeShawn Stevenson and competition for Jenkins: Jodie Meeks, who probably comes cheaper.
There are choices out there….Marvin and the amnesty clause is the key to improving the roster this season.
Rob
June 29th, 2012
7:54 pm
@KevinM. That sounds like a plan. Amnesty Marvin and find a way to make this team even better.
Magicsax
June 29th, 2012
7:57 pm
Can I say that I’m legitemately sick of joe johnson and sad that because of poor management and papaper work he will probably retire a hawk. I’m on the fence about josh smith but the hawks need players that have a drive to play and WIN. Start a tradition of excellence that other teams recognize and respect the hawks are a joke because they play like clowns and larry drew as coach is another example of our lack luster organization. Where are the real winners??? cut the whole team keep teague horford and without a doubt IVAN JOHNSON.
Magicsax
June 29th, 2012
8:02 pm
And whatever the hawks do if they let pau gasol become a hawk I’m a seattle supersonics fan next season…
falCans
June 29th, 2012
8:12 pm
I KNOW JOSH SMITH BETTER BE UNTRADEABLE. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF IGGY NO ONE ELSE MATCHES HIS COMPLETE PRODUCTION OR HEART. TRADE AL FA IGGY!!!!!!!
Rob
June 29th, 2012
8:14 pm
I just remember having a playoff team before we blew it up, Trading Steve Smith to Portland for Rider and Jim Jackson, trading Jason Terry to Dallas for Antione Walker, and Trading Mutumbo to Philly for Theo Ratliff and Nazr Mohammad. I dont even remember what happened to Mookie but I know he ended up with Golden State. I just know if the Hawks make a trade, lets hope its a good one that improves the team but doesnt take them a step back. That has been their fear to break them up and that is the fear now…. along with the luxury tax
Rob
June 29th, 2012
8:16 pm
We Hawks fans cant live in the past anymore, Joe Johnson was signed to a mammoth contract, and he will be here until at least he has maybe 2 years left on his deal.
falCans
June 29th, 2012
8:23 pm
We don’t need Al matter fact we played better without him. He averages 10& 10 with a 10 million dollar salary??? Makes no sense. Trade AL for IGGY!!! AL HORFORD. for ANDRE IGUDALA!!!!!Elton Brand contract is up (or1 year) & Horford wants to play @ Da 4. Everyone wins.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:25 pm
FTPB
“Perry Jones is the next Stromile Swift. I’ve been trying to think of who he reminds me of, and it’s Stro Show”
Jones has a LOT more offensive skill. I have doubts as to whether he will put it all together but the Stro Show was all athleticism, no skill, kind of like Tyrus Thomas. I’d compare Jones more to Jonathan Bender, if you want to go with a draft bust from previous years.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:28 pm
“John Jenkins = Ben Gordon”
Wow, that is high praise. I don’t see nearly as much shot creating ability from Jenkins though.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:32 pm
I like Ivan’s toughness and attitude, and having an edge to your team’s culture is certainly a plus, but let’s face it — the Heat win because of LeBron more so than Haslem. The Mavs won because of Dirk more so than Chandler. The Celtics won because of their big three more than because of Perkins. Ultimately it doesn’t matter whether Ivan is on the team or not as long as we are relying on this core to get somewhere meaningful, which they will never do.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:34 pm
In other words, whether a team wins isn’t dependent on whether the players are clean cut all American boys or thugs as much as it is dependent on whether the players are good enough to win. We can debate all day about whether Ferry is a Dookie trying to instill a Krzyzewski culture here and what not, but at the end of the day, no matter what culture this team has, it doesn’t have enough talent to win a title. That is where the discussion on player personnel should begin and end. The backup PF isn’t going to make or break this team’s title chances.
Sautee
June 29th, 2012
8:35 pm
“Ultimately it doesn’t matter whether Ivan is on the team or not as long as we are relying on this core to get somewhere meaningful, which they will never do.”
Yeah, dat’s troo. But I’ll miss Ivan if he’s not re-signed. He’s fun to watch.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:40 pm
“Some have said that multiple poor lottery selections will set a franchise back a decade.”
It doesn’t have to if a team is willing to admit its mistakes and cut their losses. If anything a new GM should expedite that process. Instead, this team hired a new GM who promptly gave Marvin a contract that makes him untradeable. This is why other teams at least by accident manage to break into the upper echelon every once in a while while the Hawks stay with their second round ceiling.
The Monger
June 29th, 2012
8:41 pm
This blog is a perfect example of people who KNOW NOTHING about the game of basketball or the Hawks roster making idiotic statements. John Jenkins was the best shooter in college basketball, the best player in the SEC, and the hardest worker in college basketball for the last 3 years. This guys shooting is an 11 on a scale of 1-10, yes he’s that good…and you guys bash him?? You are really that stupid?? Lets see ALL the guy does is average 19.9 points a game last year, while shooting .474 from the field, and .439 from 3, a little down from his freshman year when he shot .483 from 3 point range. Yes, the guy shot almost 50 percent from 3. You wont find a guy with a smoother stroke, even with a hand or two in his face, I’ve seen him over the years make unbelievable shots— turnaround 18 footers with a hand in his face, 35 foot 3 pointers as the clock winds down…this guy can make anything…basically a better Joe Johnson, more consistent anyways. And he fits perfect because the Hawks had so many wide open shots from penetrating and fast breaks last year, the problem was they didnt have a guy who could consistently knock down those jumpers..Both Marvin and Joe were very hit or miss…So please elaborate why this is a bad pick? I am in love with Ferry after not only getting Jenkins, but picking up Mike Scott at 43. Both AMAZING picks and absolute steals….Now just sign Ivan back quickly, and we will be rolling…
kwooden
June 29th, 2012
8:44 pm
I’ve watched some of the Vandy/Kentucky game it really appears that as Astro said, there’s not much difference between Taylor, Jenkins and the center. They all have there strengths and weaknesses. I still would prefer having the better athlete in Taylor, over the clearly one dimensional Jenkins. I’m hoping that Jenkins can really work on his defense.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:47 pm
“Delonte West did nothing while he was in Cleveland but smash Lebron’s mom. ”
He did get arrested for carrying three loaded guns on his motorcycle.
bigdave
June 29th, 2012
8:48 pm
looks like we’re working with Ryan Hollins money..
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:49 pm
“John Jenkins was the best shooter in college basketball, the best player in the SEC, and the hardest worker in college basketball for the last 3 years.”
I am not saying this to diss Jenkins, who may very well turn out to be very good. But Adam Morrison was arguably the best player, best shooter, and hardest worker in college basketball, and he was absolute garbage in the NBA because he didn’t have the array of skills necessary to showcase his strength. College production alone doesn’t guarantee NBA success.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 29th, 2012
8:50 pm
Hoopsworld’s NBA Draft grades
Atlanta Hawks
John Jenkins (23) Mike Scott (43)
Comments: Not sure the Hawks solved many pressing needs, but they did get two very good players. The Hawks needed a center and with so many serviceable options on the board, the Hawks missed a real opportunity to get better at the five in favor of adding more of what they already have. The players are not bad, and Mike Scott has a real chance to stick and play for the Hawks, but the overall grade here has to be lower simply because they did not address their need or grab the best available player.
Grade: C
Shamrock
June 29th, 2012
8:52 pm
Najeh I smashed your moms with your hommies, while you stalked preschools:)
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 29th, 2012
8:58 pm
Looks like we’re going to have Collins and Dampier playing center again.
Grandad
June 29th, 2012
9:25 pm
Rod from C.P.
My remarks to H-S were based on discourse that has been ongoing
between he and myself for more than a week.
I have absolutely no quarrel with you and do not wish to begin.
However, if you enter the narrative, welcome.
I do not think for one second that I misunderstood High-Sider`s
position, his intent, his philosophy, or his message;
whether it be overt or underlying.
Rod:
I am not offended by H-S, merely turning the tables.
I am rarely offended by words, my skin is thick.
However, like yourself I do react to words.
I do hope -my- message within the excerpt from which
you posted, was not lost due to my running dialogue
with H-S.
respectfully,
G-dad
Meidzo
June 29th, 2012
9:27 pm
If you actually watch Jenkins and look at his height and workout stats you will see that he has much more athleticism than we are crediting him for. Sometimes scouts take the either or shortcut on guys. Jenkins is such a great shooter we ignore that his Vertical is 2 inches higher than MKG. He is a smart guy who could grow into much more than we think he is. Reminds me off all those “one dimensional” guys San Antonio drafts, then as they are flying by in the playoffs you think I thought he could only do______? Question is do we have the right coaches/player developers to do this?
ant banks
June 29th, 2012
9:29 pm
i have been readin’ “marvin williams SUCK” comments for years…DOES MARVIN KNOW THAT HE SUCKS?
Sautee
June 29th, 2012
9:35 pm
“Question is do we have the right coaches/player developers to do this?”
Not yet.