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
i_am_soulstar
July 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
No way to know until Ferry talks to him.
GM’s talk players into changing their minds all the time.
Josh was definitely leaving if Rick was still here, bc he apparently still has a thing about Sund telling him to go find his money when he was a RFA.
And even though Joe and Josh get along, Josh underdstands that they won’t compete w/ Joe’s contract clogging cap space.
O'Brien
July 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
AJ,
I think Josh has the potential to be a #2 option on a contender (if he gets his mind right, and gets proper coaching).
What the Hawks should have done was bring in a HC from outside (and not promote Uncle Larry). That by itself would have led to some culture change (even if it was minor), assuming that HC had no ties to the players or the organization.
Sam
July 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
I am all for trading Joe, but it ain’t like we’re gonna get anything in return of worth. Basically, it is Joe for a bag full of basketballs.
We should look at picking up Mayo, Beasley, and Jordan Hill. Trade Josh for a replacement shooting guard with size.
Totally rebuilt team (with salary cap room left over).
O'Brien
July 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
Just Joe,
4yr $60M extension is basically giving Josh a 5% raise in each of he 4 years after this year. More than fair..
Unfortunately, it’s not about what’s fair. It’s about what can you get on the open market. Next off-season, I think Josh can get 5 years, $80 mil as a free agent (or even 5 years, $75 mil).
If you were Josh, would you take the 4 years, $60 mil, or go to free agency and see what the market is?
Najeh Davenpoop
July 1st, 2012
4:14 pm
Focus on getting Joe the f**k out of here.
mykhalc
July 1st, 2012
4:17 pm
Joe needs to go somewhere where he can be the 3rd option…just like he was in PHO. we/i/some (Billy Knight) thought he was somethin’ that he is not…an alpha dog that wanted to lead ‘his’ team. he didn’t and doesn’t want it. Joe decided at 29 he wanted to be great!!! (his statement at the start of last season). gimme an f’n break!!! Ferry has his hands full, no doubt. but maybe the Hawks have finally found a leader???!!??? ’cause you can bet Ferry asked one question of the players to where there was dead silence when he arrived….whose team is it??? ahhhh…we don’t know was the reply!!!
Wabe
July 1st, 2012
4:18 pm
Brousard tweeting that the Hawks are supposedely interested in Ray Allen?
Wabe
July 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
Based on the fact that we drafted a SG and the news that we’re interested in a guy like Ray Allen (according to Brousard), it seems as though Ferry is absolutely intent on getting Joe off the books.
That makes me happy.
Devil's Advocate
July 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
I like to keep things simple.
We got our answer about Horford this past season. Without him, the Hawks are about the same type of playoff team.
We got our answer about Johnson the past couple of seasons. Without him, the Hawks were able to stay in contention for a playoff spot when he was injured and when he’s on the court he’s just another starter in big games.
We got *some* of our answers about Smith this past season. We already knew he was a baller but we found out that he could lead the Hawks to wins when JJ isn’t doing anything and Horford out a significant portion of the season. The only thing we don’t know is if the Hawks would be the same or better off without him.
So with 2 out of the big 3, we’ve seen cases where the Hawks are no worse without them and with Smith we’ve seen him carry the Hawks during the regular season. With his age and contract it would be bad to move him without getting an established veteran with several years left or a future young star/high 1st round draft pick.
I’m not opposed to moving anyone on the Hawks roster but of all players Smith would command the highest return and we cannot afford to get the short end of the stick with any deal involving he or Horford, IMO. I’m more than willing to take a loss in quality with Joe.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
Joe could go Lakers or Knicks
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
4:22 pm
Make the best deal available. You don’t turn down a trade on Monday for Josh if the Nets want to wait until Tuesday to pull the trigger. Here’s hoping Ferry can walk and chew gum at the same time. If he is trying to change the culture AND have some cap flexibility, then the sequence of events is unimportant.
OB, that’s just it… too many “ifs”. There shouldn’t be so many ifs associated with a player after 500+ games.
mykhalc
July 1st, 2012
4:24 pm
Ray Allen will only play for contendin’ team…despite Broussard’s report. he would NEVER come to the Hawks…PERIOD!!!!
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
4:29 pm
Ray
July 1st, 2012
3:51 pm
How do you exclude Horford Astro Joe he’s been here 5 years now it doesn’t make sense.
Out of 6 guys left Teague and Zaza are excluded from any blame I know and you all know that Zaza wants to win too plus he got Heart. Teague really only started this year so judgement is reserved till after next year.
So that leaves Horford, Josh, Joe, and Marvin. Josh isn’t an innocent bystander, but he doesn’t come off as a guy that likes the culture of this team especially after talking about how he’d rather play for Boston and such.
I don’t think Horford likes it either especially coming out of a winning program at Florida.
The reason I’m more suspect of Marvin and Joe for Joe it’s the way he talks in postgame interviews, and Marvin because he’s just there he rubs off to me as someone who’s just happy he plays in the NBA knowing good and well he doesn’t deserve it.
**********************
Question for you Ray. Who is the only one of “the core” that has
- clashed with coaches
- clashed with players
- visibly sulked and whined on the court
It definitely ain’t Horford. Joe doesn’t even talk, so it’s not him. Marvin is invisible, so it ain’t here.
Only one person fits that description.
The culture of this team is JJ dribbling the hell out of the ball to get his shot, and Josh taking any type of shot he wants to, despite him being ice cold.
Josh is the most dominant personality on the Hawks, yet, he’s just a small part of the culture that is in ATL? Can’t have it both ways man.
If Josh is “the man” on the team now, he also must get the praise and take the criticism of being “the man”.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 1st, 2012
4:30 pm
Ray Allen is washed up anyway. We don’t want him!
i_am_soulstar
July 1st, 2012
4:32 pm
Ray Allen? Maybe 3 years ago. Ferry sure does like shooters.
mykhalc
July 1st, 2012
4:34 pm
@Najeh…injured and washed up…2 different things. and yeah, you don’t want him so they go after him…LOL Ray could help the Hawks more than Joe Johnson, that’s for sure!!!
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
4:35 pm
mykhalc
July 1st, 2012
4:24 pm
Ray Allen will only play for contendin’ team…despite Broussard’s report. he would NEVER come to the Hawks…PERIOD!!!!
*************************
And that’s the other equation in this. People actually think that guys like Ray Allen and Brandon Roy would come to the Hawks, when we’re actively trying to sell off our top guys? That’s not living in reality. None of those guys are coming to ATL if they feel that we’re in rebuilding mode.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 1st, 2012
4:36 pm
Ray Allen is DONE.
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
4:36 pm
I don’t get the fascination with Ray Allen.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
4:38 pm
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7g6c62d
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
4:40 pm
Share your trade
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=8a97ghr
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Rob
July 1st, 2012
4:40 pm
thats a nice catchprashe big dog
mykhalc
July 1st, 2012
4:41 pm
@Joe…me neither actually
@northcyde…yep
prison mike
July 1st, 2012
4:44 pm
Nice update MC.
Josh can only sign for 4 years, 58m best case scenario, while we can offer 5 years, 80 – 100 million. Keep in mind he’s still progressing in skill and his trade value remains.
Portland has offered Hibbert 4 years 58 mill but Josh will be coming off his 1st long term deal while Hibbert is still under his rookie contract so someone differentiate the two.
All Atlanta
July 1st, 2012
4:48 pm
All I’d want back for Joe is Marshon Brooks, & a future 1st + expiring contracts like Johan Petro, Jordan Farmar, & Anthony Morrow. Love to get Lopez but they won’t do that. Just get that horrible salary off the books so we can move forward.
Devil's Advocate
July 1st, 2012
4:48 pm
BIG DOG,
Just what the Hawks need, another PF!
Ray
July 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
@ northcyde
Josh may be all those things, but he’s got heart that much is certain.
Plus thing about Josh is he knows there will be blame, but why is it always on him???
When things go bad why not combination of Joe, Josh, and Horford we always singling Smith out WHY?
Josh has done some bad things here, but so has JOE MAX JOHNSON and Al Horford. I too realize that Josh takes some very bad shots so does Joe especially after holding the ball for 24 secs.
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
4:50 pm
Garnett gets 3yrs – 34 mill
Nash is reportedly getting 3yrs – 36 mill
That means Ray Allen just might get a multi-year deal from somebody as well
Must be nice having top level talent as you approach 40 in the NBA. Teams are more willing to pay those guys, than to go cheaper with young guys.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
4:52 pm
Oh you also mention Marvin being invisible and Joe not talking yet Joe spoke a mouth full after our loss to the Orlando Magic in round 2 of the 2010 playoffs. Yet what do we do Re-up him for 120 mil.
It’s things like that probably make Josh mad it’d make me mad too damnit.
i_am_soulstar
July 1st, 2012
4:52 pm
JJ to Nets talks are being held up by the Hawks insistence on Marshon Brooks. I can’t blame the Nets for not wanting to part with that kid. He’s gonna be really good.
jeppz23
July 1st, 2012
4:53 pm
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8119934/brooklyn-nets-atlanta-hawks-talk-joe-johnson-trade-sources-say
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
4:55 pm
Share your trade
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6tkgn8o
jeppz23
July 1st, 2012
4:56 pm
If the hawks somehow get marshon brooks out of this trade, I will be one happy fan.
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
4:57 pm
Ray
July 1st, 2012
4:49 pm
@ northcyde
Josh may be all those things, but he’s got heart that much is certain.
Plus thing about Josh is he knows there will be blame, but why is it always on him???
When things go bad why not combination of Joe, Josh, and Horford we always singling Smith out WHY?
Josh has done some bad things here, but so has JOE MAX JOHNSON and Al Horford. I too realize that Josh takes some very bad shots so does Joe especially after holding the ball for 24 secs.
***********************
So “heart” overrides those things that might be a detriment to the team?
The reason why Joe and Al don’t get blamed as much is the same reason why those 2 have made the All-Star team in recent years, and Josh hasn’t. Josh may have the “heart”, but he doesn’t have the professionalism.
Joe and Al have flaws to their game, but they carry themselves as professionals. What has Al done that was non-professional on the court? Same goes with JJ, what has he done?
Off the court, JJ has taken a shot at the fans after being booed, while Al has done nothing controversial. Josh was even so bold as to take a shot at the league and the very coaches involved in the All-Star voting process, after he was snubbed.
The perception of Josh Smith locally and nationally, has been created by Josh himself. That’s why he gets the blame.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
4:58 pm
So we’ve hit a snag if you will.
Danny Ferry want Marshon Brooks they want us to take on Gerald Green though as well to make this work out. Even Kris Humphries too according to ESPN.
Michael Cunningham
July 1st, 2012
4:58 pm
blog updates with Marc Stein report on trade proposal.
prison mike
July 1st, 2012
4:58 pm
Oh boy here we go.
“Johnson, 31, has four years and more than $90 million left on the richest contract in the NBA. But Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov is apparently prepared to take on Johnson’s hefty deal if he knows that it will clinch the re-signing of Williams to ensure that the Nets have a marquee star when they move into the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn in the fall.
Teletovic is a 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward with shooting range who averaged 21.7 points and six rebounds for Caja Laboral in the Euroleague last season. He recently reached a 2 million Euros buyout with his Spanish club in June so that he could play in the NBA this upcoming season.”
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8119934/brooklyn-nets-atlanta-hawks-talk-joe-johnson-trade-sources-say
Things have to fall into place for us. Deron has to pick Brooklyn for any of this to get through. According to the article, we are insistent Brooks is involved.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
5:00 pm
Don’t give me that crap Joe shouldn’t have even been an all-star this year over Josh, and not only that don’t ever use the All-star game that crap thing has been so far off for a long time.
Plus talking about professionalism like I said what about Joe on National Media talking about he don’t care about the fans WHAT ABOUT BS LIKE THAT!
All Josh ever said he wishes fans were more like Boston fans passionate for the game I agree with him on that one.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
@ Prison Mike
I’m glad Brooks and Jenkins would be nice to have.
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
“Hawks will not trade Joe unless Lopez is invovle.
Saleries not match un less sign and tradewith Lopez, Nets would have send Cash for Joe with Farmer, Morrow, Petro.
Why would the Nets send Hawks 10mill cash ?
No Team is that dum.”
Then there is no trade. Lopez is a restricted free agent and he will take his time and listen to offers from as many teams as he likes before either signing an offer sheet or coming to terms with Brooklyn. The only way he signs a contract with Brooklyn to help them facilitate a trade is if they offer him a max contract. The Hawks don’t want Lopez on a max contract… he’s injury prone.
As far as sending cash, under the new CBA there is a cap of $3m per year a team can send to another team. Under the old CBA teams could send $3m per transaction. Now teams can only do it once a year.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
jeppz23 – Great info.
I make that deal ASAP if Gerald Green is involve.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Neki
July 1st, 2012
5:04 pm
So in other words, its almost complete only Brooks and other stuff needs to be handle.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
5:04 pm
@ MC Thanks for the update
What of Marvin though? Has Ferry talked about using the amnesty on him?
i_am_soulstar
July 1st, 2012
5:05 pm
Yeah, gotta co-sign with Josh. Nobody likes to be rooted against at home. I’m sick and tired of other teams’ players saying that playing in Philips Arena feels like a home game.
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
5:07 pm
We really don’t want MarShon Brooks. He’s just another ball stopper.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
5:09 pm
@ Buddy G
If that’s case we can get rid of him then after his contract is up we’d still be in a better place without Joe’s contract.
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
5:12 pm
MarShon Brooks better be a part of any deal concerning this. Hawks at the minimum need to get Brooks + Gerald Wallace + 1st round pick.
Ferry, don’t sell your soul for cap space. Get some assets back in return.
prison mike
July 1st, 2012
5:13 pm
Forget brooks and jenkins, these guys are not starting caliber. Caldwell Pope is the guy we will target in the draft as our future 2 guard.
Brooks while nice to have is not a deal breaker in the magnitude of this deal. We should just get Ray Allen/Mayo as a true stop gap until we find our guy after Joe.
Cedric
July 1st, 2012
5:13 pm
I don’t have a problem with trading Joe, however we need to get the best deal we can. In my opinion all these guys should be trade bait. Al, Josh, Joe, and whoever else we can send on their way, but whatever deal is made we should only deal if we get something of value back. I want to see DF do his job without us taking any steps back.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:13 pm
Teague, Gerald, Josh, Horford, Zaza
Jordan, Jenkins, Marvin, Ivan, Collins
Morrow, Petro, Scott
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE