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
cory dillinger
July 1st, 2012
5:14 pm
Question if we break up our core how long do people think it will be before we reach the playoffs again
Jerry West
July 1st, 2012
5:17 pm
northcyde,
Is Gerald Wallace (with a new 4 yr/ 40 mil contract) that much of an asset? I’m a fan of his hustling play style, but he’s too dependent on athleticism and on the downside of his prime.
Brooks, 1 or 2 first rounders, and cap space is a win in my book. Hell cap space is a win.
Just Joe
July 1st, 2012
5:18 pm
So, if the Hawks have their way, we go in to the season with a backcourt of Teague & Farmar at PG, and Morrow, Brooks, and Jenkins at SG???
Rob
July 1st, 2012
5:18 pm
Even if we trade Joe, we are a playoff team
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
5:20 pm
You bring in Brooks and Wallace and whatever expiring contracts you need to make this work, and immediately amnesty Marvin and let him hit free agency. Then you see what he’ll get out on the open market ( which I think will be more than what people will think )
PG: Teague
G: Brooks
F: Wallace
PF: Smith
C: Horford
That squad would at least keep us at borderline playoff level, while also having the flexibility to change up the roster even more, if need be. At least with Wallace, you replace the perimeter defensive abilities that would leave with JJ while also getting a guy who can run the floor and rebound from the 3 spot.
A complete blow up of this team is unnecessary. Just re-tool it to begin with.
Gone Viral
July 1st, 2012
5:23 pm
This isn’t about a current roster. It’s about building assets. MarShon Brooks and expiring contracts have value to other execs. If we wind up with Gerald Green or Kris Humphries, they do as well but their situations are more complex since they come with a higher price tag. Any deal the Hawks make is the first domino, not the primary move of the off-season. In fact, if the Hawks do wind up with Green, I would expect him to be flipped to the Celtics or some other team in short order. For that matter, the Hawks and Nets may be stating terms for other GMs in case they want to create a much larger 4/5 team trade. Anyone paying attention now knows that Green or Humphries is in play.
What the Spurs have done that the rest of the league has struggled to duplicate is create massive depth. That doesn’t come from a single acquisition. Ferry will bring that to Atlanta.
Sautee
July 1st, 2012
5:24 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.” – northcyde
NC, I know you might value Joe more than some of the bloggers here
, but I don’t think Wallace will be involved, as much as I’d LOVE to have him at SF.
If he WERE offered, then Wallace + Morrow + Farmar + a first round pick would be fair, IMO. I’d like to leave Petro there, expiring contract, or not.
I like Brooks, but I’m not sold enough to take on 4 years at this point, keeping in mind that Ferry is looking for flexibility. But I will say that he gives a lot of bang for the buck, if you can accept his poor decisions.
Of course, if that trade happened, we would immediately see how many racks of balls we could get for Marvin, if not outright amnesty.
Shamrock
July 1st, 2012
5:24 pm
Where is Najeh Davenpoop, is he scared?
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
5:24 pm
Jerry West
July 1st, 2012
5:17 pm
northcyde,
Is Gerald Wallace (with a new 4 yr/ 40 mil contract) that much of an asset? I’m a fan of his hustling play style, but he’s too dependent on athleticism and on the downside of his prime.
Brooks, 1 or 2 first rounders, and cap space is a win in my book. Hell cap space is a win.
********************
Isn’t Josh Smith game dependent on athleticism? That argument shouldn’t be a deterrent in bringing in Wallace. The dude can defend and rebound, something that is needed here. And he’s a slasher on offense, something else that is needed here.
If we can get Wallace + Brooks + 1st round pick + fillers to make the deal work . . for JJ . . then that’s a swap I would approve of. But all of that trash for JJ, just to get cap space? Nah . . I’d pass on that.
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
5:25 pm
“Hawks at the minimum need to get Brooks + Gerald Wallace + 1st round pick.”
Najeh is right about you northcyde, you’re the champion of mediocrity.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:25 pm
Northcyde – They can have Brooks give me Gerald Green all day.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
dap01
July 1st, 2012
5:26 pm
Just get rid of ISO. We aren’t winning with him. It would nice to actually have flexibility to try something else with all those expiring contracts.
Get the deal done!
falCans
July 1st, 2012
5:26 pm
@northcyde that line up is guarantee 2nd round!!! Wallace and Smoove!! Hustle plays and defense both of which Joe “no-show” Johnson lacked. JOSH SMITH SHOULD BE UNTRADEABLE
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
5:26 pm
Sounds like a straight salary dump. A 6-time All-Star for a group of guys who could barely produce for an awful Nets team. Hawks should hold out for a draft pick and complete the trade.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:27 pm
Hawks not need Wallace.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Flappin' Hawk
July 1st, 2012
5:27 pm
If they trade Josh I’ll never watch another game. He’s the most dynamic, versatile, exciting, want-to-choke-him one minute, want-to-hug-him the next player this city has ever had. Who cares if he puts his foot in his mouth from time to time. He’s basketball born and bred. Plus he’s from Atlanta. Got to keep him. Now the Lakers want him…Anybody question his ability now? The Lakers don’t go after crappy players.
cryptonyte
July 1st, 2012
5:28 pm
“What Atlanta really needs is players with fire in their belly’s that are hungry for championships not people who are content.”
Josh is the team leader with that spirit. After we get rid of the projects like Al horford, who is more concerned about playing a certain position than doing what it takes win, and project like the low low IQ Jeff teague ( I dont think he ever graduated from wake). Then and only then will we be in a better position and start to set our sights on a world championship.
For the 12 to 15,000,000.000 Al horford makes we could do better than 12pts 8 rbs and a lackadaisical reluctant attitude about playing center. Mr injury prone free loader Al, Jeff Teague and Marvin Williams are the DEAD WEIGHT that is taking this team down.
Al for D12 now!
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:29 pm
Wallace 10mill a year for 4years, JUST DAM
To much money for Gerald.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Just Joe
July 1st, 2012
5:29 pm
I haven’t seen anything to suggest that Wallace signed in order to be traded. Everything I’ve seen says that re-signing with the Nets has been the plan all along. That’s why the Nets gave up the draft pick in the trade.
If we give away Marvin, then who are our SF targets?
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
5:30 pm
Hawks can sign JJ Hickson (Ferry drafted himin Cleveland and he is a FA) and they will have an athletic local product at PF (who is known to make questionable plays).
i_am_soulstar
July 1st, 2012
5:30 pm
I don’t think losing Joe makes us a lottery squad. Now losing Joe AND Josh is another story.
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
5:32 pm
Al makes $12M, not $12-15M. Not that being knowledgeable is a goal for some.
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
5:33 pm
“Brooks while nice to have is not a deal breaker in the magnitude of this deal.”
CO SIGN PRISON MIKE. GET IT DONE FERRY DON’T MISS THIS CHANCE OVER WANNABE KOBE.
cryptonyte
July 1st, 2012
5:33 pm
Flappin’ Hawk – Cosigning
Josh is the heart and Soul of this team. He has grown up and now its time for him to take over. He took that leadership from JJ. Now trade JJ to New Jersey and clear the salary to go after his best friend Dwight Howard. Ship Al and his lazy ways to Orlando and and lets get our mind on competing for a championship.
THIS IS JOSH’S TEAM AND CITY!
Get the money and extend Josh then trade Al and with the extra cap room go after Dwight Howard.
Do it now!
Wabe
July 1st, 2012
5:34 pm
At this point with this organization, I’m ready to see anything that’s different from what we’ve been seeing for the past 4-5 seasons. It’s been the same script year after year.
I’ll take new faces, even if it means we slip in the standings, just so we get a feel for something new.
Reality Check
July 1st, 2012
5:35 pm
“Al for D12 now!”
Marvin for LeBron now!
Makes just as much sense.
Michael Cunningham
July 1st, 2012
5:35 pm
@Ray: “What of Marvin though? Has Ferry talked about using the amnesty on him?”
no. i’d think they would keep that in their back pocket as long as Joe is here.
Jae Evolution
July 1st, 2012
5:37 pm
Do the Nets have their 2013 1st round pick?
MattP
July 1st, 2012
5:38 pm
cryptonyte,
It is not the fact that they can’t get room to extend Josh, it is the fact he does not want to play for the Hawks anymore. He wants to go to a big market where they will promote him better and have a winning spirit.
Rugby T
July 1st, 2012
5:38 pm
OK you guys want to Keep home town star and fan favorite Josh Smith to build around…. How about this then:
Atlanta Hawks get : Q. Richardson and Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic get : Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, and Al Horford
Atlanta is not going get pass 1st second round of playoffs they continue to get outsted and are in need of a change, so maybe Howard and Smith like playing together sign an extension(strong building block to build around)
Magic get back three proven starters in the league and a skilled player in the post, a point guard which they need since Nelson is opting out, and get a all-star who can create his own shot which they desperately need
Atlanta Line up:
Kirk Hinrich – J.Pargo
Jamal Crawford – J.Jenkins
Marvin Williams – T.McGrady
Josh Smith – M.Scott – I.Johnson
Dwight Howard – Z.Pachulia
Orlando Line up:
Jeff Teague – Duhon
Joe Johnson – JJ Reddick
Hedo Turkoglu – J.Richardson
Ryan Anderson – A.Nicholson
Al Horford – G.Davis
Reality Check
July 1st, 2012
5:38 pm
“Josh is the heart and Soul of this team. He has grown up and now its time for him to take over. He took that leadership from JJ.”
And “led” us to a first round loss. Big Whoop. This core has had their chances. Blow it up while the time is ripe. Blank slate.
mykhalc
July 1st, 2012
5:39 pm
can you imagine as a Hawks fan, Joe gets traded and Marvin gets amnestied all in the same summer!!!!???!! may the bball gods release us from stupidity of year’s past!!!
@Wabe…co-sign
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
5:39 pm
Gotta love how the heart & soul of the team has no influence on the poor team culture.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
5:39 pm
@MC
Ya killing me man lol naw just playing. Well hopefully this deal gets done I hope so for my sake.
@ Reality Check
Thank you tell them again.
For the record people again D12 ain’t coming here and even if he does not staying here. We’re lucky to have Josh and Horford to give up Horford for a rental in Howard is the dumbest thing to do right now.
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
5:40 pm
“Anyone paying attention now knows that Green or Humphries is in play.”
Only if they agree to the terms. They’re not presently under contract with Brooklyn.
Wabe
July 1st, 2012
5:42 pm
Man if Ferry gets this thing done, maddddd props.
The nets must be beyond stupid to even think about this one…
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
5:43 pm
Ken Berger @KBergCBS
Atlanta has spoken with about 20 teams and is in at least a half dozen active discussions, source says. Nets/Joe Johnson one of many.
cory dillinger
July 1st, 2012
5:43 pm
Trade for Rudy Gay
cryptonyte
July 1st, 2012
5:44 pm
Al makes $12M -15M. Not that being knowledgeable is a goal for some.
http://www.spotrac.com/nba/atlanta-hawks/al-horford/
Atlanta Hawks
Search a NBA player, team, position…
Al Horford
Power Forward
Tweet
Players:
Drafted:Round 1 (#3 overall), 2007
College: Florida
Current Salary Information
Contract: 4 yr(s) / $60,000,000 Signing Bonus – Average Salary $15,000,000 End Year: 2015 / 2016 Free Agent: 2016 / Unrestricted
Base Salary S. Bonus Misc. Bonus Cap Hit
2011 12,000,000 - - 12,000,000
2012 12,000,000 - - 12,000,000
2013 12,000,000 - - 12,000,000
2014 12,000,000 - - 12,000,000
2015 12,000,000 - - 12,000,000
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
5:44 pm
“Atlanta Line up:
Kirk Hinrich – J.Pargo
Jamal Crawford – J.Jenkins”
That would be worse that Charlotte’s back court. Glad you’re not a GM.
Jae Evolution
July 1st, 2012
5:45 pm
Tyshawn Taylor, Morrow, Brooks, Petro, Farmar the trade exceptions and a future 1st rounder…Yes I’m being incredibly greedy with the assets
Rob
July 1st, 2012
5:46 pm
@Astro Joe. Wow, D.Ferry puttin in work. Chuuuuuchh!
northcyde
July 1st, 2012
5:46 pm
And Buddy . . . you and Najeh are the champions of “hope”.
You guys are willing to risk the Hawks being bad for years to come, just at a chance of hope. I simply believe that you can mix and match things up, until you find the right mix.`
Current playoff futility
Golden St: One playoff appearance and 2 winning seasons since 1994
Charlotte: One playoff appearance and 1 winning season since they became a franchise in 2004
Sacramento: No playoff appearances or winning seasons in the past 6 years, after making the playoffs for 8 straight years
Toronto: Two playoff appearances and one winning season in the past 10 years
Milwaukee: One playoff appearance and 1 winning season in the last 6 years
Washington: Four straight losing seasons after not getting any type of assets for their “Big 3″ players once the decline started, other than expiring contracts.
***********************
This is the future that you and Najeh want. The future that hopes we get lucky like Cleveland ( Lebron ) and Oklahoma City ( Durant ), instead of the reality that most of the time, teams that blow it up and start over stay bad for a looooooooooooong time.
So excuse me for not wanting to root for a 25 – 52 Hawks team in 2013, because we’ve sold off everybody in a rebuilding process. And if the Hawks are a losing team at that point, do you think a guy like Al Horford is sticking around when his contract is up in 3 years?
If the Hawks trade JJ for cap space, the only option we really have at that point, is to go all out to get James Harden and give him a MAX deal. If that’s your plan . . fine. But if it blows up in your face ( like it almost always does with the Hawks ), what then?
Overpay for average players?
Hope Horford or Smith turn into a legit superstar?
People say that the worse than than being bad, is being not good enough to win. I say that’s complete BS. Fans of the Warriors, Kings, and Bobcats would KILL to be where we are right now.
Ferry and the ASG can rebuild that team, without totally tearing it down. Completely tear it down without any hope of even challenging to be in the playoffs, and you might only get 12,000 a night at Philips.
So excuse me man for not wanting to take a path that will see us be the Sacramento Kings. I’m not into rooting for “hope”. I’m also a Cincinnati Bengals fan. Rooting for “hope” is a bunch of crap. Rather root for a team that can bring me “some” joy, even if it doesn’t bring home a title.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:48 pm
Man this exciting,
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Nas
July 1st, 2012
5:48 pm
If Danny Ferry can get rid of Joe Blow I will be the happiest guy in Atlanta.
Cedric
July 1st, 2012
5:49 pm
Not a lineup I want to see. We will end up in the same position. Horford, Teague, Williams and Smith can all go. If we don’t get a real big and a scorer who is willing to draw fouls our position will never change.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:49 pm
Hawks have spoken to several teams about Joe.
HA
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Najeh Davenpoop
July 1st, 2012
5:49 pm
Great trade ideas on here.
BIG DOG SMALL BRAIN
Shamrock
July 1st, 2012
5:50 pm
I might back off Najeh, looks like the dumb ### and child molester is you Northcyde
. Celtic pride baby. Green all day
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
5:51 pm
Danny have you call LA or New York yet ?
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE