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
Grandad
July 1st, 2012
9:29 pm
TMACfan
I will be right there with you;
callin` for the fans to be 1st class and remember the positives
Joe brought to our franchise.
Especially comim` here when no one else would consider such.
However, now is time for us both to move on.
I for one will cheer for Joe upon return *’`one`’* time.
-plus-
every time he plays against everyone but us.
Ra'mon
July 1st, 2012
9:32 pm
O’B, from the last blog, I think Portland is giving fair value for Roy H’s talent. If you think about how many of his touches were cut into by being a 3rd/4th option to Granger, George, and even Hill at times. During the Miami series how many times did we hear the announcers say that they should get the ball to Hibbert more in the post because they couldn’t guard him. Now if you put Hibbert alongside Aldridge, think about how many fouls they both will draw. And in the west, if they can just get a dominant wing player to go with them, they will have a great line up. So to me, his max is worth the chance.
heat check
July 1st, 2012
9:32 pm
JJ for anyone but Isaiah Rider and I’m in.
Rob
July 1st, 2012
9:48 pm
I dont think people are hating on Johnson, its just been a long ride with him, and we are ready to move on from it.
Melvin
July 1st, 2012
9:51 pm
Joe Johnson, I have appreciate what you did over the years in a Hawks uniform. Thank you Sir, but the Hawks have to move on. It’s not personal but just business (just like you accepted the max contract). So go ahead and get your uhaul packed. The Hawks will send you your new address as soon as they can finalize the best deal…
welikebaseball2
July 1st, 2012
9:52 pm
http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/02/joe-johnson-trade-nets-hawks-atlanta-brooklyn-marshon-brooks/
QB
July 1st, 2012
9:54 pm
If josh is traded or if he leaves dats my new team. Leave da man alone.
Rob
July 1st, 2012
9:55 pm
I dont think we need Humphries or Green, but if i had to take one, which would you take? I say grab Green
heat check
July 1st, 2012
10:01 pm
I like JJ, I just don’t like the contract ASG handed him. If Danny Boy can shed that hefty sumbich in one week, I’m all in.
welikebaseball2
July 1st, 2012
10:07 pm
@Rob: Yep, Green…hands down. Losing Joe would create much more of a need for Green. I like Humphries, especially if we lose Josh, but in this trade…Green.
Jae Evolution
July 1st, 2012
10:26 pm
They can keep Petro and Jordan Williams give us Farmar, Brooks, Morrow and a S&T Humphries and Tyshawn Taylor as a 3rd string guard.
Kris Humphries is a walking double double he may cost more than Green but how is a double double every night not worth it for a team that struggled rebounding, he goes after it.
Jae Evolution
July 1st, 2012
10:40 pm
Hawks were said to be looking at Rashard Lewis, he could be the perfect player to bring off the bench along with two other shooters in Jenkins and Farmar along with the guranteed rebounding of Zaza and Humphries.
Teague/Brooks/Williams/Smith/Horford — Farmar/Jenkins/Lewis/Humphries/Zaza
Reserves: Taylor/Morrow/Scott
Fundamentals
July 1st, 2012
10:40 pm
Joes knees and fatigue problems were enough of a sign for me this year. It’s well past time to break the core and reload while they have good trade value.
Fundamentals
July 1st, 2012
10:43 pm
Jae, LD would start morrow over Jenkins in your lineup.
glw
July 1st, 2012
10:43 pm
I would prefer Green too, simply to balance our team out.
Im not crazy about the deal, but if the Hawks going to do it, I would want Brooks, Green, and Farmar. Since we drafted Jenkins, Morrow isnt reallly a necessity so they can keep him and Petro if they want.
glw
July 1st, 2012
10:47 pm
@Jae,
I would think Humphries is looking for something in the 8 mil a yr that he got this past year, so he gonna want at least that, and then he is going to be 2nd string playing behind Josh for 15 minutes a game? Unless Josh or Al is being traded, the Hawks arent taking Humphries. Green would just make more sense, he is athletic wing something the Hawks need.
Ra'mon
July 1st, 2012
10:52 pm
Fundamentals, Josh didn’t hurt his knee in a significant way until game 2 of the playoffs. Also, if you hustle as much as Josh does, and is the only consistent line of defense night in and night out, you may have fatigue problems also. In a shortened season, most best players on team were fatigued and worn down by the end of the season.
Jae Evolution
July 1st, 2012
10:53 pm
Gerald Green is talented I will give him that, but he only played half a season in an already shortened season and had his tank on full.
Kris Humphries finished his second year for the Nets averaging a double double finishing all 62 games while playing 35 minutes per not to mention he is a decent shotblocker and plays with a chip on his shoulder similar to Ivan, he is who we want if the trade goes down.
Ken Strickland
July 1st, 2012
10:56 pm
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/hawks_hold_ongoing_johnson_talks_with_at_least_six_teams/11130359
It looks as if Ferry has more than 1 option in trading JJ.
Ken Strickland
July 1st, 2012
10:58 pm
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/nets_hawks_could_reach_decision_on_johnson_trade_today/11128781
Let’s hope so.
glw
July 1st, 2012
11:00 pm
Gerald Green is talented I will give him that, but he only played half a season in an already shortened season and had his tank on full.
Kris Humphries finished his second year for the Nets averaging a double double finishing all 62 games while playing 35 minutes per not to mention he is a decent shotblocker and plays with a chip on his shoulder similar to Ivan, he is who we want if the trade goes down.
I agree, Im not totally sold on Green, he was playing for a contract. But it just wouldnt make much financial sense to get Humphries unless you plan on trading Josh or Horford.
TMACfan
July 1st, 2012
11:07 pm
The Clippers are pushing hard to get Jamal
brigadierjerry
July 1st, 2012
11:07 pm
Andre Miller is off the market. He resigned with the Nuggets
msc
July 1st, 2012
11:12 pm
please get marshon brooks here!
MsDee
July 1st, 2012
11:19 pm
As much as I know we need to move Joe, it would be mighty strange to not see him in a Hawk uniform. Same would have been if Josh was in trades talks right now. We really could have had an awesome team as is if Josh would play to his strengths and Joe could make his decisions quicker. It shouldn’t be that hard for Joe to come off screens for a quick catch n shoot play, instead of all the dribbling. Im just afraid that Joe will head to Brooklin playing up to his contract.
TMACfan
July 1st, 2012
11:23 pm
@MsDee
Joe will actually have a real head coach in Brooklyn too. Good points though.
The Real cp
July 1st, 2012
11:30 pm
I think Green just finally “got it” last season. He realized that it might be his last chance to stick in the NBA so he finally put in the work. All his coaches last year were talking about how much film he watches now, all the questions he asks, and how he works on his game. I saw on interview where he said when he came in the NBA he just took it for granted and being out of the league and not knowing if he would ever play again made him realize how much work he has to put in and how he wont take it for granted next time. I would prefer Humphries too but I think Green is a good fit because his price tag wont be high and he is a guy that can push Marvin for minutes.
prison mike
July 1st, 2012
11:30 pm
Hump can play center and is a great rebounder. The nets are willing to wait until mid week to get this done but that spells trouble for the deal.
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
11:31 pm
The thought of moving an all-star should bring back some kind of value other than cap space. A #1 is fine, but not as valuable once the Nets start winning games.
Brooks would be a minimum choice because we are ultra thin at SG. We can’t count on Jenkins for anything next year.
I’m for taking a stab at Lopez even if the Nets balk. I see nothing wrong with returning one of their starters in return.
But here we are with discussions ongoing with 20 teams and I’m glad its been proven we aren’t heading into next year with the same lineup. LD better simplify the offense for the young guns we are going to have on the court.
The Real cp
July 1st, 2012
11:31 pm
Avery Johnson has become so overrated as a coach.
Melvin
July 1st, 2012
11:32 pm
Marc J. Spears: Nets still trying to get trade done for Hawks guard Joe Johnson and hoping to get resolved by mid-week, sources tell Yahoo! Sports. Twitter
TMACfan
July 1st, 2012
11:34 pm
The Real cp
I’ll personally take Avery Johnson over LD anyday.
His losing record against winners is not tolerable.
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
11:39 pm
Nothing against Humphries because he is a workhorse, but that is the last position I have concern about. How is he as an interior defender?
I’m not thinking he puts up much of a road block.
Yes, this is all about Joe, but I can’t see Josh being here either. For me who was adamant about it earlier with Woody being his coach, Josh and LD are not a good combination mainly because of LD.
If we had hired Avery when we had a shot, perhaps the results here would have been more acceptable than watching LD ‘trying’ to coach a team to be a success.
I don’t miss Woody, and I will miss LD less, and I wish that could happen this offseason as well. You think LD will just get frustrated by losing all his core parts and just walk away. Probably not going to be that fortunate.
The Real cp
July 1st, 2012
11:41 pm
Its a lot of guys I would take over LD. I just dont think Avery is as good as some think.
scissors, paper, rock
July 1st, 2012
11:44 pm
When we trade Al Horford and Get rid of JJ this team will be much better. I cant wait to see Josh and D12 showing what the A-town is all about. Dwight doesnt fell like Al is upper shelf material and wont come here to play for a 3rd tier player. but he has no problem playing with his boy and best buddy. He Put New Jersey on his list not because its a major market but because they had salary cap space to get him paid. With JJ and Al (12 – 15 Million) off the payroll that leaves a ton to get D12 paid and Josh signed.. If you dont believe me Just check out this public statement from D12 and Josh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ryxASWBxA
Melvin
July 1st, 2012
11:44 pm
Stefan Bondy: Hawks still not sure they want to blow up team and start over, which is essentially what they’d be doing by trading Joe Johnson to Nets Twitter
scissors, paper, rock
July 1st, 2012
11:45 pm
KevinM I take Woody over Drew any day any time.
scissors, paper, rock
July 1st, 2012
11:47 pm
There is nothing special about Avery. He’s no super coach. More, coaches dont make players players make coaches.
Neki
July 1st, 2012
11:47 pm
I think this issue will be over after Williams chooses where he is going to. But it makes me wonder did the ASG sign off about this and what about JJ and rest of the Hawks feelings about this.
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
11:49 pm
scissors, LD is just an extension of stubborn Woody. We have not progressed at all, yet LD takes credit for us moving forward? I don’t see it, hench why we are close to blowing the roof off this roster.
It’s about 3 years later than it should have been. We could have been tweaking, showing attempts to improve, yet Sund took zero chances with his moves and took away any future on this roster except Teague.
And it sounds like Ferry might still be unsure how many of the captains to move out of here:
“Stefan Bondy: Hawks still not sure they want to blow up team and start over, which is essentially what they’d be doing by trading Joe Johnson to Nets”
welikebaseball2
July 1st, 2012
11:56 pm
Again, for this trade, I’ll take Green. With what would be the loss of Joe & the fact that Josh is still a Hawk, we’d have much more need for a SG (w/ upside by the way) than a PF…as enticing as his double double’s may be. Take Green, resign Ivan, & see about hanging on to Josh. Now, if we lose Josh, Humphries would fill that void nicely. But, again, for THIS trade & not assuming we’re losing Josh, I’ll take Green.
Rufus1
July 2nd, 2012
12:08 am
Marc Stein: Nets-Hawks talks: Sources say Nets now offering Farmar, Petro, Morrow, J. Williams, Stevenson (via sign-and-trade) and future first for Joe 1 minute ago
Hootie and the b
July 2nd, 2012
12:08 am
Hey guys this deal fell through but its being revived in another form… Check it out
The latest NBA rumors out there are focusing on the Atlanta Hawks and Al Horford. The latest rumor has Horford headed to the Charlotte Bobcats for the second pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. This would help the Hawks cut some salary and they would pick up a cheap replacement for Horford.
I think this deal would make a lot of sense for both teams. The Hawks are stuck in basketball hell, as they have no chance to win a title with the roster. If you move Horford and then trade Josh Smith for picks, you clear up some roster space to fill with new picks. Amnesty Joe Johnson and you take a money hit, but you also clear up a new wave of talent to take over.
This works for the Bobcats, as they would get an All-Star center. There is no guarantee the guy that they take with the second pick ever becomes an All-Star. With the moves they have had this offseason, they might just scare a couple of teams in the Eastern Conference. Adding Horford at least gives them a quality post player under control.
The Bobcats are apparently entertaining five offers for the second pick, but I think this could be the best of the bunch. You get a young center on reasonable contract. He is an All-Star type guy and gives you desperately needed front court help. The Hawks get younger and cheaper. Win-win for both teams if you ask me.
Hootie and the blowfish
July 2nd, 2012
12:10 am
Hey guys this deal fell through but its being revived in another form… Check it out
http://www.rantsports.com/courtcrusades/2012/06/28/nba-rumors-atlanta-hawks-could-trade-al-horford-for-number-two-pick-in-2012-nba-draft/
The latest NBA rumors out there are focusing on the Atlanta Hawks and Al Horford. The latest rumor has Horford headed to the Charlotte Bobcats for the second pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. This would help the Hawks cut some salary and they would pick up a cheap replacement for Horford.
I think this deal would make a lot of sense for both teams. The Hawks are stuck in basketball hell, as they have no chance to win a title with the roster. If you move Horford and then trade Josh Smith for picks, you clear up some roster space to fill with new picks. Amnesty Joe Johnson and you take a money hit, but you also clear up a new wave of talent to take over.
This works for the Bobcats, as they would get an All-Star center. There is no guarantee the guy that they take with the second pick ever becomes an All-Star. With the moves they have had this offseason, they might just scare a couple of teams in the Eastern Conference. Adding Horford at least gives them a quality post player under control.
The Bobcats are apparently entertaining five offers for the second pick, but I think this could be the best of the bunch. You get a young center on reasonable contract. He is an All-Star type guy and gives you desperately needed front court help. The Hawks get younger and cheaper. Win-win for both teams if you ask me.
Jerry West
July 2nd, 2012
12:11 am
Latest offer per Marc Stein:
The most recent proposal, sources said Sunday night, would call for the Nets to send the expiring contracts of Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Williams along with the signed-and-traded DeShawn Stevenson and a future first-round pick to Atlanta in exchange for Johnson.
Damn, Nets are playing a bit of hardball. I still probably do that to get out from under. Stevenson’s deal better be for like 1 yr though. Put Brooks in there and it’s a done deal.
Wabe
July 2nd, 2012
12:12 am
ESPN.com has updated the info on their link regardinig this trade…
Wabe
July 2nd, 2012
12:12 am
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8119934/brooklyn-nets-atlanta-hawks-talk-joe-johnson-trade-sources-say
The talks are resurfacing here too, which is good.
July 2nd, 2012
12:15 am
It is unlikely that Josh Smith would actually be traded to Orlando. It makes no sense for Atlanta to give up Smith when he will be a valuable bargaining chip when attempting to get Howard to re-sign with the Hawks.
Smith also makes no sense for Orlando when they could have All-Star center Al Horford. Horford is only 25 and is immensely popular in Orlando because of his collegiate days with the University of Florida and helping bring the state two National Championships.
Horford is the type of player Orlando could build around.
Obviously Horford and Johnson wouldn’t be enough for Howard. Atlanta would have to throw in draft selections, as well as possibly bring a third team into the deal to further compensate Orlando.
Neki
July 2nd, 2012
12:15 am
Wow, 5 ppl and future 1st for one player. Nets, you almost got it, just give us Brooks (local guy) and you got yourself a deal.
glw
July 2nd, 2012
12:17 am
@Rufus 1
I like Stevenson, anyone else ever think he and Ivan look like brothers?
And he would be a lot cheaper than taking Green and definitely gives us a wing defender. I was hoping the Hawks would go after him in free agency anyway. I still would like Brooks included in the deal, and they can keep Morrow. With Jenkins already on board, I would prefer the slashing of marshon brooks.