Atlanta Hawks: The next step
No, there is nothing new to report on the Hawks and Dwight Howard. As far as I know, nothing has changed since what I wrote two days ago. If I hear anything different, I promise I won’t keep it to myself.
With that out of the way, on to some housekeeping . . . .
Once the trades become official on July 11, and after the Hawks compete an expected buy out of Jordan Farmar, they will have nine players under contract. Draft picks John Jenkins and Mike Scott will make it 11 once they sign their deals. Ivan Johnson will make it 12 if he signs his qualifying offer.
Here are the cap salaries for those 12 players (in millions):
Josh Smith: $13.2
Al Horford: $12.0
Devin Harris: $8.5
Zaza Pachulia: $5.2
Anthony Morrow: $4.0
Johan Petro: $3.5
Jeff Teague: $2.4
Jordan Farmar: $1.5*
John Jenkins: $1.2
Ivan Johnson: $.96+
DeShawn Stevenson: $.852.33^
Jordan Williams: $.76
Mike Scott: $.40
Total: $50.4755.95
*Amount of buyout.
^Cap charge for minimum-salaried veteran with three or more seasons.
(Update: Luke Adams of HoopsRumors.com notes that Chad Ford reports Stevenson’s first-year salary as $2.33 million, not the minimum. And reader Tyler Cromey emailed to point out I left Morrow off the salary list.)
+Amount of qualifying offer extended by Hawks.
According to Larry Coon, the salary-cap level is expected to remain at about $58 million for 2012-13. But that $7.5 2 million or so in cap space is theoretical for the Hawks.
They still would have about $18 million in cap holds because of their free agents. Those holds won’t be released until those players sign a new contract or the Hawks renounce them. Even if the Hawks clear all of those cap holds, they would take a roster charge of $400,000 for having less than 12 players on the roster following Farmar’s buyout.
All of that is a long way of getting to this bottom line: The Hawks can clear up to a maximum of roughly $7.0 1.5 million in cap space. They can then sign free agents using that space and/or the “room” mid-level exception that allows a two-year contract starting at $2.5 million. So that means, theoretically, the Hawks could spend up to about $9.5 8 million on anywhere from two (to get to the roster minimum of 13) to four players (to carry the maximum 15).
(Update: Because their cap space would be less than the amount of their exceptions, the Hawks would be limited to using all or part of the $5 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception; all or part of the $1.96 bi-annual exception; and minimum-salary exceptions to sign from two [to get to the roster minimum of 13] to four [to carry the maximum 15] players.)
(If any of my calculations appear off, blog people, shoot me an email: mcunningham at ajc.com.)
After the Hawks made trades that set them up to have maximum flexibility to make moves in the long term, they still believe they can remain competitive in the short term. It’s not hard to think they can do so with the remaining core of Smith, Horford, Teague, Pachulia plus new additions Morrow and Jenkins.
Once the trades are completed and Farmar is bought out, Atlanta’s depth chart will look something like this (just for example, so please save your outrage if you disagree):
PG: Jeff Teague/Devin Harris
SG: Anthony Morrow/John Jenkins/Devin Harris/DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Josh Smith/Anthony Morrow/DeShawn Stevenson
PF: Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson/Jordan Williams/Mike Scott
C: Al Horford/Zaza Pachulia/Johan Petro
The Hawks could use a starting lineup with Zaza at center and Al and Josh shifting over–Larry Drew said he could envision that alignment even before the trades–but the Hawks clearly need a true wing. They could probably use another center, too, to guard against needing to use Petro or Johnson there for major minutes if Al or Zaza goes down.
I’d expect the Hawks will get serious about free agents once the market shakes out. They’ve expressed interest in Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis but obviously those players will see what the market may bear.
The Celtics already have offered Allen $12 million over two years and he’s set to pick from that offer, the Clippers and the Heat. Lewis says he’s seeking to play for a championship contender.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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583 comments Add your comment
yeahsure
July 5th, 2012
2:12 pm
Does D12 have twitter? Someone send him the photoshopped pic of him in a Hawks uniform.
Krishna
July 5th, 2012
2:13 pm
I have been following Northwestern University since 2000, and I can assure you guys John Shurna is the real deal. He has height (about 6′9″), an amazing (however unorthodox) jump shot (won the college 3 point contest), rebounds pretty well (averaged about 6 per game), and is deceptively quick despite his lack of natural athleticism). Check him out on YouTube. Once again, I love the Hawks so I’m not just saying this as an NU grad…he will make this team better. Truly believe that…hope the staff sees that as well.
It was not a bad pick
July 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
moving joe was the best move ever for the Hawks….trading marvin for devin harris (SMH) was crazy and will come back to bite the hawks…We already have one Harris type guard on the team already in JT..you dont win with undersized SG playing the point in the NBA..WE NEED A TRUE PG…Now the Hawks have no SF..Smooth is an very undersized PF and simply cannot play the 3…..Utah loves to pass and has a mismatch in the post with jefferson..Marvin will shine big time in Utah..he just never got the chance in ATL..If the hawks would start ZaZa and move Al to the pf, Al will shine this year..20 and 10 easily
John Drew
July 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
Please check out Mike Scott 2012 NBA Draft Workout on YouTube it’s about 5:44 long. Mike is a very good shooter who could play some 3 and 4. I think this kid will be a steal in the 2nd round, if LD plays him the right way.
northcyde
July 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
No need for the Lakers to make that move now. You have a PG who is brilliant in setting up bigs and other shooters.
The thing is, I still haven’t heard anything from Dwight that says that he wouldn’t mind playing in Atlanta. I wonder why he is so against playing here? Somebody got some dirt on him in this city or something?
northcyde
July 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
No way Al gets enough touches to get to 20 pts – 10 rebs. Josh is going to make sure he’s taking 17+ shots a game this year.
AnotherGM
July 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
The Hawks are in the D12 sweepstakes. That being said you are juswt hearing where the media wants D12 to go, …….Brooklyn (NYC) and LA. LA is not going to give a young Bynum up for D12 and have to take scrubs back along with him, it defeats the purpose of acquiring Nash. Apparantly ESPN and the NBA want D12 in NYC. The Hawks have a much better package, so we will see where this goes.
Side note: Jamal Crawford to the Clipps.
Buddy G
July 5th, 2012
2:19 pm
“If Howard doesn’t want to come to the Hawks now, why would he want to come to the Hawks 12 months from now?”
Are you claiming to know what Dwight wants? He seems to want to be liked which is likely why he opted in with Orlando, to put off becoming a villain. But SVG decided to paint him as a villain rather than do his job, which was to get Orlando wins.
LA is back in play for Dwight because of the opportunity to play with Nash. But if he doesn’t end up there, a triumphant return to ATL may present his best opportunity to regain hero status.
It was not a bad pick
July 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
northcyde
so basically this is Josh’s team?
i_am_soulstar
July 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
@hawks_4_life: “MC are you enjoying the love your blog has been getting lately?”
haven’t noticed. i generally do not enjoy this part of the NBA calendar.
I figured most of you NBA hacks hated July 1st.
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
I wouldn’t sign anybody to more than a 1-yr contract until we figure out what Dwight is going to do.
Take the trade exception from Joe’s deal & a second rd pick and go get Corey Brewer from Denver ($3.4M expiring contract). Denver’s roster is full.
Offer Marcus Camby a one-year $4M contract. This would make me feel better about including Pachulia in a Dwight trade and/or going with the big lineup where Pachulia starts. I’ve always thought watching Camby play would benefit Josh too.
Teague / Harris
Morrow / Jenkins / Stevenson
Smith / Brewer
Horford / Ivan / Scott
Pachulia / Camby
Petro, Butch & 3rd string PG in suits behind the bench.
Sam
July 5th, 2012
2:26 pm
Mr. Cunningham,
Are there any restrictions on the Hawks trading Harris? I know there is some kinda rule when you sign a guy, you cannot trade him until a certain part of the year. Is that the same for players acquired in an offseason trade?
I’m a Harris fan, but we could probably move him a for a couple more pieces.
STRETCH
July 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
Marc J. Spears: Source tells Y! that while Chauncey Billups 1-year deal with Clippers is agreed upon, Jamal Crawford’s is in the final stages of completion. Twitter
Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chauncey Billups, Jamal Crawford | share
Marc J. Spears: Guard Jamal Crawford’s deal done and he will get a four-year, $25 million deal (with bonuses) from Clippers, sources told Yahoo! Twitter
Nique
July 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
Why are we buying out Farmer instead of keeping him? He’s a solid pg & has a cheap contract, especially if we’re thinking of playing Harris at the 2 some, we’d need a 3rd pg
Marcus
July 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
Between the summer league, trade recipients, and FAs, we can be picky.
MC,
As far as getting a true SF, any thoughts on the glut of young frontcourt players that HOU has assembled?
Per their official roster, they have 10 guys (out of 18 total ) who are listed as a F or C-F, with Luis Scola being the only one with more than 2 years in the NBA (He has 5). The total of 18 includes all of their 2012 draft picks (J. Lamb, T. Jones, R. White, player from Turkey) which includes 3 forwards. The official roster seems inconsistent in counting UFAs whereas Camby, Boykins, and C. Lee are listed, but G. Dragic is not.
After July 11th, the pending arrival of C Omir Asik, even if they lost all of the 2012 UFAs, they would still have 15 players (maybe 14 if the player from Turkey is kept overseas for “seasoning”).
http://www.nba.com/rockets/roster/2012
Does Danny Ferry have an eye on any of those guys?
Would HOU be more inclined to designate some of them down to the D-league, use them as trade bait, or just let the camp casualties come as they may?
Rufus1
July 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
LD’s Offense??? vs The players left…
I don’t think those player fit his style… Those are all uptempo/PNR players…. LD better go to a Jazz or Suns camp to learn their systems..
If we miss on D12, I would trade Josh for Rudy gay(25yrs).. younger, more athletic version of JJ. He has 3yrs left on his deal and will be 28yrs when it ends. Battle tested B+ players.
Build around Gay, Teague and Horford.
i_am_soulstar
July 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
I think Al becomes a 18 and 9 guy. Gotta factor in JJ’s lost usage. That’s a lot of shot’s to go around. I wouldn’t mind ourmost efficient scorer taking half of those. I’m sure Ferry’s gonna tap LD to increase his touches.
i_am_soulstar
July 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
shots*
Astro Joe
July 5th, 2012
2:36 pm
Rufus, do you think Memphis would have Gasol, Z-Bo and Smith as their frontcourt? With Tony Allen and Conley also? Seems like every team in the league would play zone and watch the Grizzlies put up 75 points/game.
I’d LOVE to add Rudy to this squad but I’m not sure that we can do it this year with the current assets. However, if the Grizzlies don’t show progress, they may consider moving Gay for some cap relief next summer.
northcyde
July 5th, 2012
2:38 pm
It was not a bad pick
July 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
northcyde
so basically this is Josh’s team?
************************
It became Josh’s team the night he got snubbed for the All-Star game.
Before that point, he was averaging 13.6 shots per game
After the reserves were announced ( on Feb 9th ), Josh averaged 18.7 shots per game.
What’s more telling is his usage.
Before All-Star snub: 25.3% usage
After All-Star snub: 30.7% usage ( anything over 30% is usually superstar type usage )
I believe at that point, either he, or people around Josh, was telling him to simply “go for his”. That’s why the shot attempts and usage skyrocketed.
We’ll see if the Hawks are better off with Josh as the lead dog.
ryan
July 5th, 2012
2:43 pm
Worried about the Nets they seem to be most active in trading for D12 will the Hawks pull the trigger before the Nets that’s the $250,000 question .
moboman
July 5th, 2012
2:44 pm
Looks like LA realized they were being played in the D12 dealings. They decided to get Nash while they could and be done. That leaves …. ?
yeahsure
July 5th, 2012
2:47 pm
D12 wants to be the man wherever he ends up. Why would he go to L.A. First, he would be even MORE criticized for copying Shaq. And he would have to play under the shadow of the Mamba. Nash only has so many good years left in him.
moboman
July 5th, 2012
2:48 pm
I think the Nash deal just upped the Hawks leverage.
Ryan
July 5th, 2012
2:49 pm
Can Harris play the 2? Has he had any experience there?
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
2:51 pm
Philly is the team that could jump in and steal Dwight.
Brand’s $18M expiring contract. Young players like Holiday, Turner, Harkless, Moultrie, Thad Young, and Vucevic.
Slimjr
July 5th, 2012
2:52 pm
FTPB
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
9:58 am
“The chasm talent wise between D12 and Al Horford is vast. 1 is 1st team All NBA, and the other 3rd team – but the canyon is huge.
Al can’t guard D12 even a little bit. But D12, if he wanted to, could G Al – but chooses to stay closer to the basket.
D12 is a genetic freak, Al is not. Plain and simple.”
SteveW, imho All Get Real’s game is built for the regular season [28-47] the past two years against the winners. Granted he did miss this past regular season. His game would not have made much difference in those numbers…
D12’s game is built for Championships! Just surround him with the right personnel [ multiple knock down shooters] like he had in the 07 run to the Finals.. That Finals where his coach SVG cost them game one and two against the Lakers… Orlando should have won that series in no more that 6.. On paper they had more talent but their coach was Larry’s brother from another mother..He blew it big time!
Shaq can’t stand SVG for a reason too…He bites!
Mike
July 5th, 2012
2:53 pm
76ers already resigned Hawes to a contract. Next
vava74
July 5th, 2012
2:53 pm
ALL IN!
ALL IN!
Melvin
July 5th, 2012
2:58 pm
It was not a bad pick,
We you change your blog name once the Marvin trade is official?….LOL
Slimjr
July 5th, 2012
2:59 pm
D12 was not the reason why that team had digressed from their 07 Finals run..Their GM who finally got handed his walking papers was a MAJOR reason for their demise.. D12 was and has been acting out in frustration to the incompetent management in Orlando..
Check the list of personnel in 07 and compare that list to 2012? Hmmmmmmmmmmm
Ah ha! Eureka!
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
3:01 pm
Mike. So Hawes would stop you from acquiring Dwight Howard? Hawes was signed for like $6M a year. That’s backup center money. Acquiring Dwight and bringing Hawes off the bench doesn’t make that team better?
Mike
July 5th, 2012
3:07 pm
@Just Joe, Do you think that Dwight is going to get along with Doug Collins, after he was complaining about SVG and actually got him fired. I got some land in Japan that I like to sell to you, dirt cheap.
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
3:08 pm
Anyone know what the Rockets are suppposed to be getting from the Raps in the rumored Lowry trade?
Mike
July 5th, 2012
3:11 pm
Player and Lottery Pro. 1st Round for Lowry.
Slimjr
July 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
All’s game time and again disappears in the late 3rd and 4th quarter when our guards have shot their load and now need help scoring the ball after building leads..At the Pro level he does not have the skill set to become a #1 or even a #2 scoring option…..
He’s a 3rd of 4th option at best..Allstar[shaking head, left to right] sheesh…..
Sorry Grasshopper……I know it hurts…….
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
3:14 pm
So, you think Doug Collins wouldn’t want to coach Dwight Howard if he had the chance?
I don’t think there’s a coach in the league that wouldn’t want to coach Dwight. Just my opinion though.
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
3:15 pm
MC – You are correct on those totals – Man, I was just trying to free up some more cash.
So if we re-sign TMac and Damp, or any two or 3 players that currently have the cap holds, then we can spend the full Mid level? And the Bi Annual?
Please go ahead and renounce Vlad Rad, Stack, either Collins or Damp or both for that matter – still up in the air about Green and Pargo. Heard the ‘Wolves were courting Green pretty heavy.
TMac, in this regular season, not a compressed on with back to backs and trifecta’s, will be much better I think.
Q-Man
July 5th, 2012
3:16 pm
If you guys are real basketball fans of the Hawks you would’ve recognize Teague’s developement. With that being said only way Teague wouldnt be Lead guard for the Hawks, if they got Chris Paul. Now think about this. We should go after Dwight only because he’s a monster on both end of the floor, but if not stick with Al and Zaza in the middle with a young cat to develope (Keep in mind how many real centers are left in the game, hell there were no real centers in the Finals rember Perkins got a lot of bench time). Now moving foward I would go after Harden of OKC (Dont Max him out but give enough ) him and Ibaka will be restricted(2013)hell they cant pay every one and Harden can break down a defense and get to the line as well as hit the 3 ball. You guys tell what you think of a Starting Line up of Teague(PG) Harden(2G) Shooter/Defender(SF) Josh(PF) and Dwight/Hortford(C) Pull in you own 3 man as long as he’s an knock down shooter (not John Jenkins he’s your 6 man at 6′4) or he’s a elite defender
Mike
July 5th, 2012
3:17 pm
It is not that, Doug Collins is like SVG, they are old-school that demands respect and dont bend or break for anybody, besides why do you think that he got fired in Chicago for.
But Philly is a location but Orlando wants more.
Ray
July 5th, 2012
3:18 pm
You know I really doubt that D12 has ATon his mind right now and He may not be ATL answer anyway with all the drama but I believe ATL needs a true center and move Al back to power forward not only that add another 7′ foot guy if there anyone in management listening please consider Javale McGee who might help feel the void and add huge potential to the team this year and beyond.
Jason S
July 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
Could Philadelphia put together a competitive enough package for Dwight AND become a championship contender after the trade? There is no way Dwight stays in Philly, so I don’t think Philly could make a trade for Dwight and even fool themselves into looking past next year.
Elton Brand’s $18 mill expiring + Iguodala + picks for Dwight and Hedo. I don’t love the trade from either team’s perspective … The trade probably won’t be the best package Orlando can get, plus the trade probably doesn’t put Philly over the top.
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
3:20 pm
Jamal and Chauncey signing with the Clippers.
And Celts looking at Nick Young if Ray Allen gets away.
Funny how these superior defensive teams still need scorers…
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
JJ – a 2013 1st pick with no protections is my understanding
Melvin
July 5th, 2012
3:24 pm
Vava 74,
Welcome to the get Dwight Howard now bandwagon (or the dark side) with me, O’Brien, Najeh, Northcyde, Slimjr, EmirS., Rev from Tampa and drmaryb….
Rod from College Park
July 5th, 2012
3:25 pm
“Marc J. Spears: Guard Jamal Crawford’s deal done and he will get a four-year, $25 million deal (with bonuses) from Clippers, sources told Yahoo! Twitter”
What? I playoff team decided to give Jamal Crawford 6 mil per year with bonuses? I wonder why? LOL
calli
July 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
If Dwight cant come home, go get J.Mcgee(good young raw talent)Morrow(could be a great fit if his game can elevate up another notch) and Stevenson(defensive) are good pick ups. Try to resign Pargo, trade Harris and ZaZa to open up more money for a good SG or to free money for the future. We aint scared WE FLY HIGH!!!!!!Go Hawks!!!
Rod from College Park
July 5th, 2012
3:28 pm
“Jamal and Chauncey signing with the Clippers.
And Celts looking at Nick Young if Ray Allen gets away.
Funny how these superior defensive teams still need scorers…”
Ha. Ha. It’s amazing Steve W isn’t it. No way the great defensive team the Celtics should be looking at guys like Jason Terry, Nick Young, and Jamal Crawford. These guys play no defense. LOL
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
I’m happy for Jamal. Playoff team. One last multi-year contract.
i_am_soulstar
July 5th, 2012
3:38 pm
As I much as I hate Al’s whining and moaning about playing the center position, much like Josh, I seriously doubt he’s done developing.
Besides, he averaged 15 and 9 the season before the last. It is that hard to imagine him scoring 3 more points a game with JJ gone?