Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry focused on salary cap ‘flexibility’ with trades
The word new Hawks GM Danny Ferry kept using after the draft Thursday was “flexibility” and nothing would create it more than trading guard Joe Johnson’s contract for players with shorter deals.
The Hawks were not close to any trades as of this afternoon, according to a person with knowledge of their plans, but talks are fluid. They’ve continued discussions with the Nets about Johnson, and clearly Brooklyn (feels weird to write that) has plenty of expiring contracts to offer in return.
Update 4:55 p.m.: ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reports that a discussed proposal would have the Nets sending Atlanta Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Williams. According to Stein, the Hawks are insisting that former Tucker High star MarShon Brooks be included in the deal while Brooklyn would rather Atlanta take on one of its free agents in a sign-and-trade.
Stein also reports the Nets won’t make the trade until free agent guard Deron Williams commits to re-signing. Williams reportedly will meet with Brooklyn and Dallas tomorrow.
The Hawks could swing a deal that leaves them with massive amounts of cap space next summer. The Nets also have about $4.4 million in trade exceptions available, which function as a credit to be used against the salary-matching requirements. That means the Hawks could take back significantly less salary in a trade with the Nets.
It’s still possible all of this trade talk leads to no deals now and the Hawks wait until later in the summer or next season to pursue trades. But already it’s clear that Ferry is willing to trade a piece of the team’s proverbial “core” in an effort to gain cap space to re-build the roster.
In addition to Johnson, the Hawks have been open to moving forward Josh Smith though they’ve resisted offers so far. Apparently the Hawks balked at a potential deal with the Lakers for Pau Gasol because L.A. wanted another major piece to go along with Smith. That would leave the Hawks with less than six players under contract, less talent, and no short-term cap relief because of the $38 million and two years remaining on Gasol’s contract.
Before Ferry was hired, Smith told the Hawks he wants to be traded to a franchise he considers to be more committed to winning a championship. There’s been no indication that Smith has changed his mind after Ferry’s hire, which does nothing to placate Smith’s desire to also play in what he believes to be a better sports market. Smith’s contract expires after next season.
Ferry said he plans to meet with Smith soon.
“I have talked to Josh, and we agreed to get together,” he said. “It was a positive conversation.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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564 comments Add your comment
northcyde
July 2nd, 2012
12:29 pm
Hoops
July 2nd, 2012
12:19 pm
The way I’ve got this figured is:
1. The Hawks/Nets make this trade – Joe Johnson for Farmer(4.2M), Morrow(4.0M), Williams(.8M), Petro(3.5M), and Stevenson(1.1M), plus a 1st round pick.
2. The Hawks keep Josh for another year.
3. That gives the Hawks around 51M in salary. That will probably be 9-10M under the cap. Now, they have money to go after a trade for a starting SF.
**************
Hoopshype top 10 available SFs
1) Nicolas Batum
2) Andrei Kirilenko
3) Gerald Wallace4) Antwan Jamison
5) Michael Beasley
6) Grant Hill
7) Carlos Delfino
8] Josh Howard
9) Mickael Pietrus
10) CJ Miles
Which guy do you want with that cap space we now got?
Astro Joe
July 2nd, 2012
12:32 pm
Marvin and a Net Scrub will have combined salaries in excess of $10M. Is there a team with a $10M player that wants Marvin and his two remianing years? Not to mention that unless it is someone we want to keep post-rebuilding, that player will only compromise our cap space.
KevinM
July 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
“Is there a free agent out there this summer who can make a huge impact for $10M?”
I’ll take Steve Nash for 10M Johnny! I then have a Jeff Teague to dangle for another move.
Professor X
July 2nd, 2012
12:33 pm
@NORTHCYDE By the time Farmer et al. contracts expire all of those guys will be under new contracts. You have to look at the free agent list for the summer of 2013.
Sautee
July 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
northcyde,
Under that scenario, I’d choose ancient Grant Hill. If we are trying to change the culture, he’d be a LOT more valuable than just his on court contributions.
Astro Joe
July 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
northcyde, I’ll take E, None of the Above. Save the cap space until the following summer. Sign Devean George, Tim Thomas or Bonzi Wells and just “wait ’til next year”. Heck, bring back T-Mac as yet another way to “sell hope”. Just make it a one-year contract.
Troy Everett
July 2nd, 2012
12:35 pm
If the Nets put this deal on the table, the Hawks need to take it yesterday. This is probably going to be their one and only opportunity to move this contact. Let the rebuilding process begin now. Next up, Smoove, Marvin, and Drew.
Jaded Hawks Fan
July 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
I want to get rid of Joe Johnson’s contract, but I don’t want some other team’s sh*t. Maybe at this point beggars can’t be choosers, but I think there’s a way to get rid of Joe without having to give up on next year.
I’m intrigued by Green and Morrow. Green brings an element of athleticism to the 3 that Marvin lacks. Morrow would probably have to be miscast as a starter for a year, but between he and Jenkins you have a very impressive pair of shooters.
A lineup of Horford-Smoove-Marvin-Morrow-Teague with Zaza, Green and Jenkins as the start to your bench can still be credible in the East, IMO. Not a championship contender by any means, but a team that can still give fans something to cheer for before we try to make a big splash next summer.
KevinM
July 2nd, 2012
12:36 pm
Someone asked for proof on D12 to Atlanta:
“A source close to the situation confirmed reports that Howard requested a trade yet again Friday, telling new Magic general manager Rob Hennigan that he wanted out during a meeting in Los Angeles. The source said the Magic are open for business on trade calls now, and various reports indicate that talks are heating up with the Hawks, Lakers and Nets. SI.com”
We will get a deal done with NJ IMO:
“League sources believe the Johnson-to-Brooklyn deal has a strong chance of happening in the next 48 hours. If it does, it just goes to show you that you can have any collective bargaining agreement you want — there’s still no substitute for having one of the richest men on the planet own your basketball team. CBSSports”
Professor X
July 2nd, 2012
12:37 pm
@Northcyde
2013 Free agent SF’s
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks – $13.2 million – Unrestricted
Paul George, Indiana Pacers – $2.6 million – Team Option ($3.3 million)
Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves – $4.8 million – Team Option ($5.0 million)
Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz – $2.9 million – Team Option ($3.8 million)
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs – $1.8 million – Team Option ($1.9 million)
Wesley Johnson, Minnesota Timberwolves – $4.3 million – Team Option ($5.4 million)
Shawn Marion, Dallas Mavericks – $8.4 million – Early Termination Option ($9.1 million)
Dorrell Wright, Golden State Warriors – $4.1 million – Unrestricted
Jan Vesely, Washington Wizards – $3.2 million – Team Option ($3.3 million)
Linas Kleiza, Toronto Raptors – $4.6 million – Player Option ($4.6 million)
Richard Jefferson, Golden State Warriors – $10.2 million – Player Option ($11.1 million)
Trevor Ariza, New Orleans Hornets – $7.3 million – Player Option ($7.7 million)
James Johnson, Toronto Raptors – $2.8 million – Restricted ($4.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers – $7.3 million – Early Termination Option ($7.7 million)
Al-Farouq Aminu, New Orleans Hornets – $2.9 million – Team Option ($3.7 million)
James Jones, Miami HEAT – $1.5 million – Player Option ($1.5 million)
Rashard Lewis, Washington Wizards – $22.7 million – Unrestricted
Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns – $2.0 million – Team Option ($2.1 million)
Omri Casspi, Cleveland Cavaliers – $2.3 million – Restricted ($3.3 million)
Chris Singleton, Washington Wizards – $1.6 million – Team Option ($1.6 million)
Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks – $8.3 million – Early Termination Option ($7.5 million)
Kyle Korver, Chicago Bulls – $5.0 million – Unrestricted
Luke Babbitt, Portland Trail Blazers – $1.9 million – Team Option ($2.9 million)
Luke Walton, Cleveland Cavaliers – $5.8 million – Unrestricted
E’Twaun Moore, Boston Celtics – $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Julyan Stone, Denver Nuggets – $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Me
July 2nd, 2012
12:44 pm
Ferry insistence of MarShon Brooks inclusion in the trade of Joe Johnson speaks volumes to me. As I understand that the Hawks are also taking steps to improve in their playoff status, not just making on the fly moves. What is there not to be excited about if you are a Hawks fan?
Atlhawksfan
July 2nd, 2012
12:45 pm
Hawks need to do the trade before the nets call it off. The players the hawks will get are not scrubs, but good rising/backup players. After they do that trade they can trade some of Thor players they get from the trade plus Marvin to whoever wants him and get a solid player. And to everyone saying Howard wants to go to Brooklyn, that doesn’t mean they will trade him to them. They will try to find the best deal for Orlando. So the haeks have a chance to land DHoward.
Turtle Man
July 2nd, 2012
12:46 pm
Thank for nothing MC! I guess I’ll just read the blogs and continue to find out more info before you do. Give Jon Steinberg a call and see if he could help you out in your step-behind reporting.
Buddy G
July 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
What Ferry and King have done is create a market for Joe Johnson. If the Nets sign Joe, Howard is completely screwed. There will be no cap space to sign him next offseason when his contract expires. Therefore, Orlando knows that if they want to deal with the Nets, they must do it now, before the Hawks and Nets pull the trigger (Deron isn’t waiting around, he needs to be under contract so that he’s insured for the Olympics).
Further, the Hawks are in talks with Orlando because a package of Joe Johnson and Al Horford for Dwight may be more attractive than anything else they’ve been offered. This may end up as a three team trade. Any other team that considers Joe an asset and sees how little the Hawks are asking for him will be on the phone with Danny Ferry making their pitch before a deal with the Nets gets done. That plus the willingness to listen to offers for Josh is why at least 20 teams have been in touch with the Hawks front office since the start of free agency.
Rufus1
July 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
The Hawks = The Nets is 2 years..
In 2 years we will be trying to trade for someones OVER PRICED B-levevl star, when we already have one on this team.
Joe would get a MAX DEAL if he was a free agent this year… He would be the #2 free agent on the board and the #1 SG. I want someone to tell who these MAGICAL FREE agents we are going to sign, that are going to make us better than JJ has….. He/she ISN’T OUT THERE!!!!!
Eric Gordon(injury prone)/ Hibbert/Batum(3rd or 4th option) are all about to get MAX DEALS 14-15mil a year and none of them could HOLD JJ JOCK STRAP…. But he is overpaid? The NBA is the overpaid league.
Don’t change your SCREEN NAME when this plan blows up in his(Ferry’s) face…and don’t come on this blog complaining when we are the 7th seed instead of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th. or when DWade gets hurt next year and the Nets and JJ make it to the Finals… When is should have been us.
MsDee
July 2nd, 2012
12:47 pm
If Im not mistaken, we wouldn’t be getting the Nets 1rd draft pick of 2013 but for 2014 right?
Atlhawksfan
July 2nd, 2012
12:51 pm
How will the hawks be nets in two years nets don’t have Teague Josh Horford
Mike
July 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
Well, I think that the meeting tonight with Nets from Deron is going to make or break this deal. I got a feeling that Brooklyn has the upper hand with moving to NYC, he can get endorsements, D12 is coming up there one way or another and easier road to the ECF/Finals (dealing with the Heat/Bulls or C’s or dealing with Thunder, SAS, Lakers, Grizz, easy choice).
After that, the trade is going to happen.
Hoops
July 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
@Northcyde,
Back home in Tennessee, we were taught to never limit your possibilities of solving your problems. In the trade with the nets that the Hawks are working on, there are many pplayers that could be used in a trade. I would never just look at the available small forward FA’s. I would look at the entire FA pool and choose the one’s that I liked best. Then I would see what assests I have available to make the best move for my team. If I don’t find a player that I can get right now, I would save my money and go get’um next summer. That’s what my Dad taught me bout tradin’.
Rufus1
July 2nd, 2012
12:55 pm
Atlhawksfan,
The Hawks won’t have JOSH either in 2 years… He said he doesn’t want to be here.. I am so tired of repeating that fact… Please let that go.
Atlhawksfan
July 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
Josh will be back once the hawks trade away Johnson and Marvin. Then Josh will stay because he knows that the organization is heading the right way.
Astro Joe
July 2nd, 2012
12:58 pm
Sautee, that’s your style (read and react) not mine. I always tend to project/forecast/predict. The better play is to wait until next summer to use the $10M in cap space that may be available after the possible exit of Joe and Marvin. If he can’t use the $10M to acquire a player(s) who can get us deep into the 2nd round (after shedding ~$28M in salary), then I think he should sign some 1-year deals and make his grand play next summer.
The Real cp
July 2nd, 2012
12:59 pm
The Hawks couldnt get out of the first round this year with Joe but if he is traded to the Nets they suddenly go from a lottery team to the finals? Really?
Ra'mon
July 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm
Northcyde, I’d probably say Grant Hill. Also, I would take some of those expiring contracts and see if I can move them for AI from Philly possibly.
Me
July 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm
Rufus1
You can’t tell me you didn’t see the drop in J. Johnson’s productivity this past season. For the production he gave does not equal his pay. Yes, the Hawks can find his production cheaper and younger. One player that comes to mind is Nick Young.
O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
1:03 pm
Ra’mon,
As I said, at the end of the day the most important stat is win/loss record..
To some extent, yes. But D-Rose missed 41% of the regular season, and the Bulls still finished with the #1 seed in the East. Also, isn’t it possible that with a healthy Al the Hawks might have beaten the Celtics in the playoffs?
Ra'mon
July 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Can someone please tell me what did the attendance used to be like at the old Omni? Was most games close to full capacity? I was only a kid living in south Georgia then so I wouldn’t know (and I was a Pippen and Bulls fan, not Hawks).
Buddy G
July 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
“Getting back those scrubs is essentially the equivalent of nothing.”
The difference between having Jordan Farmar as your primary backup point guard and having Jannero Pargo as your primary backup point guard is that one option opens up the possibility of winning a playoff series while the other option makes it questionable that you make the playoffs. I’ll leave you to figure out which option is which.
O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
1:04 pm
MsDee,
If Joe gets traded, I wont necessarily be eager to let Marvin go anymore cause this SHOULD give him the necessary room to shine and demand the ball more with Joe gone..
We got rid of Al Harrington so Marvin could have room to shine. But the fact is Childress took minutes/shots away from Marvin, Flip took minutes/shots away from Marvin, Jamal took minutes/shots away from Marvin. Imo, He just isn’t very good. Room, or no room.
Atlhawksfan
July 2nd, 2012
1:05 pm
So know your a hawks fan
Atlhawksfan
July 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Marvin needs to be gone right after joe is traded. He takes up 8million for less than 10 Pts and 4 reb. The hawks should try to get a defensive sf to guard the lebrons and durant and pierce
O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
If the price is right, I would prefer Green. Despite the longer contract Gerald Green would receive over Stevenson, I think Green could actually contribute as part of the bench rotation for a couple years, playing minutes at SF and SG.
northcyde
July 2nd, 2012
1:14 pm
Me
July 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm
Rufus1
You can’t tell me you didn’t see the drop in J. Johnson’s productivity this past season. For the production he gave does not equal his pay. Yes, the Hawks can find his production cheaper and younger. One player that comes to mind is Nick Young.
******************
JJ’s production didn’t drop this year, only his usage and shot attempts. If he’s traded to the Nets, don’t be surprised if the guy is averaging 20+ ppg again, when he’s getting 17+ shots again.
JJ did fail in the playoffs though. No denying that.
O'Brien
July 2nd, 2012
1:15 pm
Northcyde,
In case I missed it, what would you consider a good deal for JJ from the Nets?
Atlhawksfan
July 2nd, 2012
1:17 pm
Howard said he will go to any team the Magic trade him to, and will be a free agent the next year. If the hawks offer the magic the best deal the hawks can get Howard. Howard would not leave atlanta if that’s we’re he is from and is playing alongside a rising player in Teague and his good friend Smith
Ra'mon
July 2nd, 2012
1:18 pm
O’Brien, its possible the Hawks beat the Celtics with healthy Al. But in my mind, its just as likely that the Hawks beat Celtics with a healthy Zaza and no Al, also (and if Josh doesn’t get hurt in Game 2, they go up 2-0 than who knows). O’B, I view what a player is worth not in a vacuum, but how it relates to that teams salary settings, and other needs. Hibbert to Portland, is worth more than Horford to Atlanta in my opinion. If Joe’s salary was $3 million less, than I would think Al was at a good salary slot. But for this lineup, I don’t consider Al to be worth that much in the new CBA agreement.
Me
July 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
northcyde,
Joe production didn’t drop this season. It dropped two seasons ago, right after he signed the Hawks future away for 6 years 123 million.
The Real cp
July 2nd, 2012
1:34 pm
Exactly O’Brien. Green could actually start if need be. I would rather have Green at 3 years than Stevenson at 1.
Marcus
July 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
Ra’mon,
no guarantees of what woulda/coulda/shoulda happened or revisionist history (on my part) re: Game 2 vs. BOS, but Josh got hurt after we gave up the big lead and were already down by 2-4 pts. late in the game. It only got worse from there, but it is not as though the momentum shifted at the same time Smoove’s knee did … I checked the game rewind on NBA.com after a lot of us lamented about his injury…not sure if we didn’t lose that one due to something else besides blaming Josh’s knee.
That said …. Josh will either be a building block or a trading chip ….
northcyde
July 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
O’Brien
July 2nd, 2012
1:15 pm
Northcyde,
In case I missed it, what would you consider a good deal for JJ from the Nets?
**************************
Gerald Wallace + Brooks + a draft pick . . . at the minimum. If you have to throw in Farmar to make things work, that’s OK too. Just keep the rest of that trash in Jersey
As soon as you bring in Wallace, you possibly amnesty Marvin, or even leave him on the team for depth
PG: Teague – Farmar
G: Brooks – Jenkins
F: Wallace – Marvin
PF: Smith – Scott
C: Horford – Zaza
If they want JJ that bad in order to possibly secure Deron and/or Howard, make them give us something that we can use.
KCG
July 2nd, 2012
1:37 pm
Why do a lot of people act like the Hawks will suck and be a lottery team without Joe Johnson. Over the past couple of the years the the Hawks have had a higher winning percentage with Joe hurt than with him in the line up. That goes for teams over .500 to. I think the Hawks will be fine without Joe no matter who they get in return. I will put myself of record and say the Hawks will be a better team next year if they can make this trade with Joe Johnson happen. This is contingent on them keeping Josh though. You can’t trade both, only one or the other.
Just Joe
July 2nd, 2012
1:43 pm
(for Dwight Howard) negatives related to signing in Atlanta:
1) He knows too many people in Atlanta. He would be covered up with ticket requests, public appearance requests, etc…
2) Ownership. Even with the hiring of Danny Ferry, the fact remains that this team is still owned by the same group, and even though they seem to not be meddling now, they can always re-insert themselves at any time. Brooklyn’s owner is one of the wealthiest men in the world, and he’s showing right now that he’s not afraid of paying the luxury tax for many years to come.
3) Endorsement Money. This one is obvious.
4) Playing for a championship. For the next 5 years (current year plus new 4-yr contract), Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, and AK47 or Teletovic >>>> Jeff Teague, Anthony Morrow, Marvin Williams, and Josh Smith.
I understand where Dwight is coming from. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t try to change his mind. But for it to work, guys like Josh & Teague would really have to take their games up a level to convince Dwight that he can win here.
northcyde
July 2nd, 2012
1:44 pm
Me
July 2nd, 2012
1:25 pm
northcyde,
Joe production didn’t drop this season. It dropped two seasons ago, right after he signed the Hawks future away for 6 years 123 million.
*********************
No. His shot attempts dropped as soon as Drew took over the team and decided to spread the shot wealth. JJ had a horrible 3 point shooting % in 2010 – 11 allegedly because of a hand/elbow injury. Last year, he shot the ball very well, especially after the All-Star break. He just didn’t get as many shots as in previous years. In the playoffs, he failed . . along with everyone else not named Teague or Horford.
Shot attempts the last 3 years
2010: 18.2
2011: 16.1
2012: 15.5
Atlhawksfan
July 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
Marshon Brooks + Farmar + Morrow + Draft pick will be a good trade for the hawks. Then Amnisty Marvin or trade him for a back up PF is Josh comes back
Me
July 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
KCG
I totally agree!
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
July 2nd, 2012
1:58 pm
Ferry getting to greedy. Marshon Brooks had injury issues last year. Lets get what we can and dumb Joe’s contract. Get Nick Young or maybe Jamal Crawford and we are right back in the game.
northcyde
July 2nd, 2012
2:00 pm
KCG
July 2nd, 2012
1:37 pm
Why do a lot of people act like the Hawks will suck and be a lottery team without Joe Johnson. Over the past couple of the years the the Hawks have had a higher winning percentage with Joe hurt than with him in the line up. That goes for teams over .500 to. I think the Hawks will be fine without Joe no matter who they get in return. I will put myself of record and say the Hawks will be a better team next year if they can make this trade with Joe Johnson happen. This is contingent on them keeping Josh though. You can’t trade both, only one or the other.
********************
Record of Lakers when Kobe played: 36 – 22 ( 62.1% )
Record of Lakers when Kobe didn’t play: 5 – 3 ( 62.5% )
Does this mean that the Lakers would be just as good without Kobe, if he weren’t on the team for a full season?
Now JJ is no Kobe by any stretch of the imagination. But the point would be that teams would gameplan to stop whomever was the lead dog of the Hawks in the absence of JJ.
As of right now, our lone shot creator on the perimeter . . . is Jeff Teague. And he’s driving to the basket. Jenkins can create his shot somewhat, but he’s better as a catch and shoot guy.
That’s why Brooks absolutely has to be part of this deal if it goes down.
Astro Joe
July 2nd, 2012
2:02 pm
Buddy, the back-up PG is going to play maybe 12-15 minutes/game? So Farmar is going to have that type of impact on the Hawks in 12-15 minutes/game? If so, he needs to be a SMOY candidate.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
Me
July 2nd, 2012
2:06 pm
northcyde
Johnson’s salary does not match his production. That is exactly the point I was trying to make. Those numbers can be had at a cheaper price. But do know referring to “Production” means a complete skill set of performance. Hince= not worth the money.
Jason S
July 2nd, 2012
2:08 pm
RT @jdoggsmith: Joe Johnson joined instagram and his user name is imstartinova2… WOW! @Kris_Willis @ajchawks @BobRathbunTV 60 mins ago