Atlanta Hawks: NBA free agency begins
The NBA’s free-agent period has officially started.
Teams can now come to contract terms with free agents. Deals can’t become official until July 11, after the league and union complete their annual audit to set the projected salary cap and luxury-tax levels for the 2012-13 season.
Nine Hawks players became unrestricted free agents today: Jason Collins, Erick Dampier, Willie Green, Kirk Hinrch, Ivan Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Jannero Pargo, Vladimir Radmanovic and Jerry Stackhouse. All those players except for Hinrich played for the league minimum last season.
Update: The Hawks extended a qualifying offer to Johnson by Sunday’s deadline. He’s a restricted free agent with Atlanta maintaining salary-matching rights.
NBA.com has a cool, sortable free-agent tracker page. One potential free agent is already off the market as Kevin Garnett and the Celtics reportedly agreed to a three-year, $34 million contract.
The Hawks are over the salary cap but have full mid-level and bi-annual exceptions available in addition to minimum player salary exceptions.
The MLE can be used to sign free agents for as many as four years at a maximum starting salary of $5 million with annual raises of as much as 4.5 percent. It can be split to sign more than one player.
The BAE can be used to sign free agents for as many as two years at a maximum starting salary of $1.957 million with a raise of up to 4.5 percent in the second year. It can be split to sign more than one player.
Minimum salary contracts can be up to two years in length. The salary is determined based on the player’s experience.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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280 comments Add your comment
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
12:09 pm
Sekou Smith – People keep saying Josh can’t play SF, I BE DAM
If anyone have been watching the Hawks this team is much better defensively with Josh at SF and Horford at PF.
Look the Hawks have no superstar on this team, and your not winning unless your build defensively.
Josh and Horford will not cut it because both players are undersize, this why Hawks must find them a center with size in the paint to compliment Josh and Horford.
Hawks 2years ago almost beat Bulls with Josh, Horford, Collins, so you can’t tell Lopez is not 10times better than Collins.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Ray
July 1st, 2012
12:10 pm
@ Danny Dan
It’s okay man you failed at trying to prove a point all you did prove to me is how stupid you can seriously be.
And again in Postseason play only in 3 games Horford put up 15.3 ppg 8.3 rebs and 1.3 blks only 3 games coming back from an injury like that very early too I might add.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
12:14 pm
@ BIG DOG
I agree with that statement people only saying Josh can’t play SF look at the dude’s frame size I mean for christ sake he’s Kevin Durant’s size for the most part. except shorter than Durant.
OH BTW just because you can play 3 different positions doesn’t mean you can play them effectively.
Josh can play PF, but Center you sh*tting me playing against Dwight, Hibbert, Perkins, Chalder, Bynum, and other C’s that are big night in and night out would put to much on him.
I like Josh, but a Center is one thing he won’t be able to play not no night in night out type thing either.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
12:16 pm
Again I make the case that if Horford had played more than he did this season his average would have jumped more than likely to at least 18 ppg. And 10 or more rpg.
If Horford trains a lot this offseason he will be something special next year.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
12:19 pm
http://youtu.be/mpkUkQzJ0Gg
Who say Josh can’t play SF, I BE DAM
Ray
July 1st, 2012
12:19 pm
@ Danny Dan
you do realize that was this past year correct.
NBA had only 66 games this year
The Grand Total Al Horford played in 11 that’s so technically this season might as well not count for him as of right now his highest is 15.3 9.3 and 1 blk.
Which next season could go as high as 18, 11, and 2 blks he already averaged around 4 assists as well. So there is that.
Dude basically averages a double-double not even he does.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
12:22 pm
@ BIG DOG
Only those that don’t realize that’s who.
Teague, ?, Josh, Horford, and Lopez(again barring injury) Is better than
Teague, Johnson, Marvin, Smith, Horford.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
12:23 pm
The question mark is whomever is SG opening next year.
prison mike
July 1st, 2012
12:30 pm
• 2011 CBA: Teams must spend at least 85 percent of the cap in 2011-12 and 2012-13, and at least 90 percent of the cap in later years of the agreement.
Teams will have to spend 52.5 million or more in upcoming seasons. Teams with money are dangerous to teams like us who are way too close to lux tax and have to avoid like the plague.
Bottom line: either overspend for guys like hibbert and mayo or overspend for overseas talent and d league guys.
O'Brien
July 1st, 2012
12:33 pm
From hoopshype;
Adrian Wojnarowski: Nets, Hawks could reach a decision on possible Joe Johnson deal today, sources tell Y! If trade doesn’t happen, Nets will push for OJ Mayo.. Twitter
I’m all in favor of trading JJ, but I wish the Nets had better assets to offer us.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Rival executives say Atlanta is much more focused on moving Joe Johnson’s contract than talking about Josh Smith now.. Twitter
I hope they come to a decision today.
O'Brien
July 1st, 2012
12:36 pm
Ra’mon,
If what they say is true, what do you think about a max offer of 5 years, $79 mil for Hibbert?
STRETCH
July 1st, 2012
12:38 pm
Adrian Wojnarowski: Nets, Hawks could reach a decision on possible Joe Johnson deal today, sources tell Y! If trade doesn’t happen, Nets will push for OJ Mayo. Twitter
Reality Check
July 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
Why all the talk about lame duck Josh Smith? He’s gone. Either by trade, if Ferry is any good at his job, or else Josh will walk away at the end of the year, and we’ll have nothing for that asset. I don’t think Ferry is stupid enough to let Josh walk, though Sund probably would have, because he was the owners flunky. Bottom line: Bye Bye Josh, I’ll miss you. You played great last year, but we all know that you want a better situation.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
12:41 pm
Ray – Thanks bro, look the Hawks have no superstar, and we all no with out a superstar your not winning unless your build defensively and size and toughness.
Teague, ? , Josh, Horford, Lopez
is way much better than
Teague, Joe, Marvin, Josh, Horford.
5years is enough time for change.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
12:50 pm
OB, sounds like we are going to simply dump JJ1 at this stage.
Ferry has to decide if he wants any usable assets…..I would hope for Brooks and Lopez as I don’t think Humphries can be considered. A couple of usable pieces.
kbb
July 1st, 2012
12:54 pm
Why would Mike shut down the Joe thread, thats all anyone cares about. The other stuff is insignificant.
500 Blog entries
July 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
Enter your comments here
500 Blog entries
July 1st, 2012
1:00 pm
ooops – sheesh – I thought this was a college football town – as a former recent Hawks season ticket holder and a potential future Hawks season ticket holder, I dont have the patience to go thru another rebuilding – I like the nucleus of Teague, Joe, Josh, Horf and whomever at the 5 – and if NBA teams are not building for the specific purpose of getting past the Heat they are wasting their time – I say we resign the bench and grab a 7-footer with some post moves and let’s see how far we can go
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
1:01 pm
So the Nets are the only team that’s interested in JJ? What about Houston? Other teams have better assets, especially the Lakers if they will move Gasol.
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
1:02 pm
500, Joe/Josh/Al are barely 2nd tier in the East and are non-existant if they were in the West.
Ken Strickland
July 1st, 2012
1:04 pm
We’ve all seen rumors of Josh, JJ, and Horford possibly being traded, and nothing came close to happening. The only way for JJ to be traded to the Nets is if a sign and trade is worked out where he agrees to restructure his contract, and we take back some of their UFAs in return, like CHumphries. The only way Jersey would make a trade for JJ is if they’ve given up on getting DHoward.
Actually, I’d love having a rebounding machine like Humphries included in a trade for JJ. He’d give us even more of what we got from Ivan, plus he’s bigger and taller. If Ferry can pull this trade off, and get the JSmith and financial considerations, or MWilliams, for Gasol trade done, we’d have the makings of a solid core of Horford, Zaza, Gasol, Humphries, Teague, Scott, and Jenkins.
With this core, the ASG could justify paying a luxury tax to get a couple of quality veteran starters and some functional backups. The beauty of the 2 trade is we gain Gasol’s contract, which expires in 2 yrs, and get rid of JJ’s contract, which doesn’t expire for another 4yrs. If we don’t accomplish what we want to accomplish this yr and decide to go in another direction, we could easily trade Gasol’s expiring contract next yr.
Even though we’d be paying out close to the same amount of money, the Gasol contract would offer financial flexibility by allowing us to get rid of it after this season or the next.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
1:13 pm
@ Danny Dan
It’s not that hard to do, but to do so nightly basis yes it is.
Oh BTW if Horford is healthy he’s at least right behind Josh for number of Double-doubles just saying.
Probably at least No. 15
glw
July 1st, 2012
1:14 pm
@Ken S,
I agree that the only way they push for Joe is if they have given up on Dwight. But I dont think they have to restructure Joe’s deal to do it, It cant be restructured anyway for trade purposes. I am assuming that they have enough cap room to absorbs Joe’s salary without taking back equal value. I am still not totally buying this, why would New Jersey want to take on Joe’s contract? There are guys out there who can be had for half of what Joe makes.
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
1:15 pm
Ken – Hawks are not going sign another PF, Hawks are loaded with 4 PF on team right now.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
1:16 pm
LMDO, 500…it ain’t me that’s keep Al here. I’m ready to move his 12M as well. I could get more from Humphries….what’s funny is the guy loves to be listed as a C on the all-star ballot, but when the game starts, he wants to face the basket and get out of the paint. He’s tired of guys being bigger than he is, yet I don’t see him growing his skills. I think he’s peaked and is probably a good 3rd go to guy….like Joe and Josh…
So how do you move 3 3’s and get value in return?
Jerry West
July 1st, 2012
1:17 pm
The only way for JJ to be traded to the Nets is if a sign and trade is worked out where he agrees to restructure his contract
@Ken
Dude, he can’t restructure his deal. This isn’t the NFL. His contract is what it is. If the Nets take him, they’re taking it as is with the full 4 yrs at 80+ mil.
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
1:21 pm
In regards to sign and trades….I think those are no longer an option going forward. I read that on NBA.com…..if someone signs Hinrich, we can’t get anything for him if we give sign him, then move him.
The sign&trade no longer exists based on what I read last week. But if a team signs a FA, can they move him immediately?
BIG DOG
July 1st, 2012
1:24 pm
As off right now Nets Have 55mill in cap space.
That some crazy sh t.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
mg
July 1st, 2012
1:26 pm
If Joe gets trade two things should happen
1. Give Ferry GM of the Year
2. Rename Phillips Arena to Ferry Arena
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
1:28 pm
We aren’t signing FAs until we resolve JJ1 and Josh.
Countdown 10 days to the beginning of amnesty period…..I hope Marvin’s career here ends at 487 games. Can you believe he has played 487 games? How many of those were productive?
Gone Viral
July 1st, 2012
1:32 pm
“The Brooklyn Nets reached a verbal commitment with swingman Gerald Wallace on a four-year deal worth $40 million, according to sources close to the process.”
Can they really afford this plus Howard, Deron *and* JJ?
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
1:33 pm
Wallace getting 40M for 4 years…the numbers are starting to get tight in Brooklyn.
KevinM
July 1st, 2012
1:35 pm
If you move Joe, would you take a crack at Brandon Roy? It might be worth a look. It definitely wouldn’t be a long term deal.
Grandad
July 1st, 2012
1:36 pm
Ken S
Who`s to say the Nets will not [or] are not going to include
Gerald Wallace into the trade {sign & trade].
Wallace would fill a need, [small forward / LBJ/defender]
*(once again add Tyshawn Taylor to the deal)
*TT; 2nd rounder; 6-3+; [pg] ; defense (strong suit)
Ray
July 1st, 2012
1:36 pm
@ Danny Dan
Wait Wait Wait so if we agree then what is your problem with Horford then?
Gone Viral
July 1st, 2012
1:37 pm
As an aside, here is the projected deal the Nets and Hawks are discussing:
“According to several reports, the Nets would receive Johnson in return for four expiring contracts: Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro and Jordan Williams plus a first round pick in 2013, when the Nets have two picks, their own and the Rockets’ lottery protected pick.”
Just Joe
July 1st, 2012
1:42 pm
Take that deal NOW.
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
“B. Knight, was not the hawks problem. He was very successful as gm.”
So successful he’s been out of work in the league since the Hawks S-canned him.
“If Mike Scott is also like [Ivan] like many others have said keeping him would be redundant.”
Ivan Johnson lit up the Heat last year. Scott may never see an NBA floor.
Reality Check
July 1st, 2012
1:43 pm
“On another front:
– ESPN.com Insider David Thorpe sees a scenario in which the Atlanta Hawks trade their all-star center Al Horford to the Charlotte Bobcats”
Yeah, right. I hope you have a time machine, cuz that scenario was for the 2nd pick in last week’s draft. Didn’t happen, now did it? Troll, are you that dumb? Or maybe that desperate?
I’m sure it’s frightening to you that Josh is gonna be gone. And, no two ways about it, he’s gone, either by the trade deadline, or by the end of his contract. I hope all four of the core are traded, personally. Blow it up right. Start with a blank slate, tank for 2 years, and get good picks.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
1:44 pm
@ Danny Dan
There is a reason most likely has to do with the attitude seriously I like Ivan Johnson, and we need some David West type players here and not this nice guy culture we’ve grown accustomed to. He has been known to have a bad attitude especially overseas.
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
Some of y’all shouldg o back and read your own posts from the past few days to see how strange you have sounded. For months or years, trade Joe has been a constant themse around here. Now that it is a possibility, it is “welll they should only get this back”, or “why aren’t we trading him to this team”. Y’all are acting like spolied brats. If you believe that Joe’s contract is the root of all evil, then why not trade him to the Washington Generals for their scrubs on the bench? Trade him to Atlanta Community College for their walk-ons. Go back and read your posts from the past 24-36 hours.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
1:47 pm
@ Buddy G
Now think about it though Ivan will be 28 and that’s only one time. There were games he wasn’t effective now even I remember some of those.
I’m all for keeping him, but again if Mike Scott turns out to be another Ivan Johnson(plus better attitude) then why keep him.
Astro Joe
July 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
Al’s contract is $12M. Not $12-15M, just $12M.
Ken Strickland
July 1st, 2012
1:48 pm
http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/is_danny_ferry_on_the_verge_of_unloading_joe_johnsons_contract/11128979
It seems like the JJ trade possibility is more than just a silly rumor at this point, unlike the Horford for the #2 pick.
Just Joe
July 1st, 2012
1:49 pm
Jordan Williams in another 6′9″ PF/C. This could be another reason we saw the indecision with Ivan. He’s nowhere as good, but at some point you can only have so many 6′9″ guys.
Ray
July 1st, 2012
1:54 pm
@ Gone Viral
I could agree with that trade if that’s what we get back. Oh if this is real
Morrow, Farmar, Petro, and Williams and a first round pick it’s not the best deal ever, but two of the 4 are useful.
Honestly I’d love to have Marshon Brooks in that deal as he’s another hometown/state kid.
Buddy Grizzard
July 1st, 2012
1:57 pm
“Is that such a hard thing to average a double double?”
Kind of a silly question since your link shows that less than 10% of all NBA players had at least 10 double-doubles for an entire season.
“The only way for JJ to be traded to the Nets is if a sign and trade is worked out where he agrees to restructure his contract.”
Why? Brooklyn has less than $18m committed to 7 players right now. They could absorb Joe’s contract without sending any salary back to the Hawks. This is why Brooklyn needs to get this done NOW, because Deron wants to be under contract so he can play in the Olympics. Brooklyn has to make a deal for Joe, Dwight, whoever, BEFORE they can sign Deron and possibly Lopez (if he’s not agreeing to a sign-and-trade that sends him elsewhere). That’s why Brooklyn can’t wait around for Dwight’s situation to be resolved. They’re going to get Deron under contract as soon as they can. Dwight shot himself in the foot by opting in. Deron wants his contract done yesterday.
So here’s what the trade will most likely be:
Hawks receive:
Jordan Farmar
Anthony Morrow
Johan Petro
(2) conditional first round draft picks
Nets receive:
Joe Johnson
Ray
July 1st, 2012
1:57 pm
Right now like someone said If Joe contract is gone by this week Danny Ferry for Executive of the Year the hell with anything else.
If he gets Marvin gone Danny Ferry for President okay I’m over exaggerating, but still just saying.
Just Joe
July 1st, 2012
2:02 pm
Without Dwight, Nets could still look like this:
Williams / Kidd / Taylor
Johnson / Brooks
Wallace / Kirilenko
Teletovic / Humphries
Lopez / ??? / ???
Ray
July 1st, 2012
2:03 pm
Please Danny Ferry get this thing done then we can finally move on from such a horrible decision in ASG history of owning the hawks.
This is what happens when you hire a good GM stuff like this. Let me not get too ahead of myself though.