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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
583 comments Add your comment
Rufus1
July 5th, 2012
3:40 pm
AJ,
I think they(Griz) want his(Gay) money gone and Josh+ Farmar and maybe a Pick gets him. Their cap situation is worse than the Hawks. 2014 they already have 63mil committed to 7 players and their market is smaller than the ATL..
I still think D12 is going to LA because Bynum is the best option for the Magic and D12 would fit better with Nash(IMO). I want a trade that keeps us relevant, instead of hoping for CP3 or hitting the Lottery… I also don’t think you can build a team around Josh and we still have a very good PF on the team.
I would make Gay my #2 priority.
KevinM
July 5th, 2012
3:41 pm
IMO, D12 isn’t heading to LAL. Kobe told D12 he could come in and be the 3rd option. You think D12 was drooling at that point?
I gotta think we are in good shape to make a beatable but promising offer.
I want one more piece to this, and if I can go get Bledsoe from the Clips for a Zaza, I do it. The Clips need interior help and we need options at the PG should Teague leave. The Clips have no room for Bledsoe now with their 2 latest signings. I hope Danny sees what is possible there.
And yes, the media says D12 to anyone but the Hawks. They aren’t giving this a chance to happen.
KevinM
July 5th, 2012
3:44 pm
Is D12 going to be the last puzzle piece left in this year’s activity?
I don’t think if you’re interested that you continue to give Brooklyn and Billy King time to work on the nimbers.
If you were ORL, who would lean towards?
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2012
3:51 pm
@Sam: “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?”
short answer is must wait two months. details here: http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q97
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2012
3:52 pm
@Marcus: i don’t know if Ferry is interested in any of the Houston guys.
Michael Cunningham
July 5th, 2012
3:54 pm
@SteveW: teams hold off on renouncing free agents until they absolutely need the space because they can still use those players in sign-and-trades.
i_am_soulstar
July 5th, 2012
3:54 pm
Besides few more rebounds and a few less assists, I seriously have a hard time differentiating between Gay and JJ. Also another guy who didn’t deserve the max deal he got. I would to love to have him, but it’s gonna have the same effect as JJ contract on the Hawks.
And not that i would, but if I trade Josh for Gay, no way I’m sending a pick.
Seattle Hawks Fan
July 5th, 2012
3:55 pm
God I want a big three of Smith, Howard, and Paul!
KevinM
July 5th, 2012
3:56 pm
A Magic ‘insider’ writer had this to say about should D12 head to Brooklyn:
“hope Howard realizes that on a Nets team with Deron Williams and “Iso Joe” Johnson he is the third option. He would be the most decorated superstar in the trio, but late in games, he’s the guy in the band banging the tambourine”
Ouch, not again! And we all know he won’t be the highest paid player on the roster if this happens as well.
This writer has teams in this order:
1) Nets
2) Dallas
3) LAL
Again, no mention of us in the equation.
ryan
July 5th, 2012
3:59 pm
Will Ferry shock everyone including ESPN trade for D12 we all know Orlando wants Horford .
PRESTONI
July 5th, 2012
4:00 pm
Dwight Howard has the rare opportunity to be a Real Hometown Hero plus have the caveat of playing with his Best Friend (Josh Smith) while making a ton of money in the process. I really don’t think he would turn down this Remarkable Opportunity for the adulation he would receive in the quest to give Atlanta its First NBA Championship. Sometimes in Life you have to take chances if the Reward is Great–the Hawks have never won anything significant in Atlanta, so what do they really have to lose in Trading with Orlando without any Formal Guarantee from Howard. Danny Ferry knows what he is doing and I’m sure he realizes that this is the Golden Opportunity to elevate the Hawks and change the culture of Basketball in Atlanta. Orlando has to Trade Howard and right now the Hawks can offer the Best Package of Players and Draft Choices, plus we have Expiring Contracts and thus the ability to take back a Contract that Orlando does not want. If we really want this Trade to happen, it will happen–I feel that Orlando can’t afford to turn us down and I really feel that Howard will realize the magnitude of all this and Sign a New Contract. Also, I would like to give My Pulitzer Prize to JUST JOE for the Most Informative and Well Thought Out Posts on this Blog–keep up the Good Work, you really know what you are talking about. Hoping for some MAJOR NEWS in the near future!!!
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
4:02 pm
Someone brought up OJ Mayo earlier. I think Mayo is looking for “Afflalo” money, 4 yrs $30M ($7.5M per). If the Hawks decide they want to get there, they could do a sign and trade with Memphis who still owns his bird rights despite turning down his qualifying offer. Memphis has been looking for a shooter. Morrow & Farmar (before buy out) for Mayo??? The other way to get Mayo is to trade Harris to a team under the cap like Houston or Dallas. That would free up enough room to make the offer as well.
ryan
July 5th, 2012
4:03 pm
Atlanta is a sleeper team then for Howard remember the media keep saying Paul was heading to the Knicks and then a surprise came in an took CP3 .
Grandad
July 5th, 2012
4:07 pm
Michael Cunningham
” haven’t noticed. i generally do not enjoy this part of the NBA calendar ”
At the risk of being contentious;
I must call into question the above quote.
1st – seriously; you have not noticed the increased traffic on the blog,
the positive response to Danny Ferry, the seemingly new blog people
posting within ” our Blog~0`Sphere, [whom you call] “your blog people”.
2nd – You do not enjoy this part of the NBA calender !
I submit my previous effrontery of your passion as a sportswriter.
To which – you flipped my statement;
explaining it away – saying you were not a “homer”; so to speak.
Which was never what I was saying to begin with.
Plus my temerity to question you the night of the draft [2011];
when you stated:
-you would rather be elsewhere-. [paraphrase]
Your response – you were only joking. [paraphrase]
Now;
we are back to the same place.
You are an NBA sportswriter;
Do you or do you not love basketball.
Basketball fan[atics] love this time of yr.
We are overjoyed with Danny Ferry.
We love the draft.
If we love basketball, therefore we love basketball news !
You are the Hawks beat writer.
Where else are we supposed to turn to for news ?
Then you say:
you are disinterested !
`tis no wonder … I have challenged you on occasion.
Please do not say something like:
*you only report the facts – we get it,
or,
*you are not going to be biased in your reporting;
for that has nothing to do with what I`m talkin` about.
If you hate your job – fake it.
Don`t tell us !
ryan
July 5th, 2012
4:08 pm
ESPN is pro New York and LA always has been so of course they are going to say those two teams have the edge on Howard .
Mike
July 5th, 2012
4:10 pm
ESPN would have a heart attack if that happens, after they were proclaim that D12 is going to Brooklyn. But its looks like Orlando is running out of options.
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
4:11 pm
Ferry could turn Hinrich’s bird rights in to an asset as well. Chicago is offering just over veteran minimum money which isn’t enough. Some over the cap team out there may want to swing a sign and trade for a pick and an expiring contract. Chicago? Washington? New York?
The Real cp
July 5th, 2012
4:15 pm
I hope we can get some type of sf in here. I dont want Stevenson on the court at all. Dude is terrible. Might need to take a chance on a young sf who hasnt gotten the opportunity to play many minutes before.
Ray
July 5th, 2012
4:31 pm
I’d like to see us go after a lot of people, but as it stands how about waiting till July 11th first.
We’ve made way to many moves already Dwight is going to be floating out there for some time.
When the dust settles I bet Dwight is still with the Magic come July 11th.
Ken Strickland
July 5th, 2012
4:35 pm
All that was said after the 2 trades were made, is it now gives the Hawks the cap space to go after a couple of max FAs like DHoward and CP3 after this season. And wouldn’t you know it, everyone has gone nuts on these blogs every since. We’ve hired a new GM who’s done wonders in almost no time on the job by turning the franchise around with those 2 trades.
And with those trades, we’ve managed to get JSmith excited again, yet not one peep from DHoward or Josh about him being willing to include the Hawks as a possible destination, even if his friend JSmith is leaning towards resigning. Even though Dwight has remained steadfast about his desire to be traded to the Nets, we still have our share of delusional fans that are lying to themselves and everyone elsem and making up a myrid of illogical reasons he’ll resign with us if we traded for him.
NEWKID-Where in the devil have you been? We’ve missed you, and it’s good to have you back.
STEVEW-From the previous blog. I’m not against us going after DHoward, but I am against trading our core to get him, even with a guarantee he’ll resign. We can trade for him now and sign CP3 to go along with Josh, but we wouldn’t be able to surround them with much talent or assemble much of a bench.
Rather than trade away our core and gamble on him resigning after 1yr, I’d rather gamble on waiting until he becomes a FA after the season to try signing him. That way we retain our core players and draft picks.
Slimjr
July 5th, 2012
4:38 pm
@ryan, let the media sleep on the Hawks..Good!
With Ferry at the helm the Hawks have become a black panther stalking its prey.. He’s going to pounce again soon and catch em napping like that prey….lol!
Melvin
July 5th, 2012
4:40 pm
I think the Hawks will keep their cap flexibility until Dwight makes a decision. No need to sign guys to multiyear contracts until the Hawks knows for sure they can or can not get Dwight. So yes, I believe Dwight is holding up the Hawks from moving forward with free agency to a certain extent.
Astro Joe
July 5th, 2012
4:41 pm
A Magic ‘insider’ writer had this to say about should D12 head to Brooklyn:
“hope Howard realizes that on a Nets team with Deron Williams and “Iso Joe” Johnson he is the third option. He would be the most decorated superstar in the trio, but late in games, he’s the guy in the band banging the tambourine”
On any team, he would not get the ball late in a close game because the opposing team will simply foul him and watch him brick up a couple of free throws. This is no great revelation. If the hawks trade for him tomorrow, even LD won’t be drawing up plays for Dwight in the low post to hit the winning shot. Heck, the elementary school gym teacher wouldn’t put the game in his hands at the end. And that is why he is best suited to be a team’s defensive anchor, run the floor and dunk on drives to the rim and offensive rebounds. Basically, what he did when they went to the Finals. But at the end of a game? Puh-leeze.
Scoots
July 5th, 2012
4:41 pm
We’re not getting Howard. Quit teasing yourselves
BravesFan79
July 5th, 2012
4:45 pm
The Hawks dont need Ray Allen, they already have one of the best 3 shooters in the game in Morrow and Jenkins. And at this stage of Allens game, thats all he is. As far as Lewis goes, hes overrated, and unless its for the mid-level price, not worth it. I wanna hear about the Hawks going after Kayman or Hibbert!
adam
July 5th, 2012
4:46 pm
MC,
Ive been a fan of Morrow since GT. Looking at his numbers they were good the fist 3 years. Last year they dropped considerably. Do you know what the deal is there? injuries?
Mike
July 5th, 2012
4:47 pm
@Scoots
hmm, maybe but its better to dream then not to dream at all. Besides we know that Brooklyn is going to find some loophole (basketball reason) to get this deal done.
Just Joe
July 5th, 2012
4:50 pm
If we wait until July 11th, then all of the guys we just traded for (Harris, Morrow, Farmar, Petro, Stevenson, & Williams) will not be eligible to trade for 2 months.
That leaves our only option of getting better before September 11th as trading one or more of Teague, Josh, Al, and ZaZa, or signing free agents. This limits our flexibility for a Dwight trade since Teague, Al & ZaZa only add up to $19.5M in salary, which is only enough to take back Howard & up to $5M in filler (less than the individual salaries of Richardson, Davis, or Turkoglu). We lose an advantage if another team can take on one or more of those salaries and we can’t.
J-MAN
July 5th, 2012
4:56 pm
Well I expect Jeff Teague to become the most improved player next year. I also expect Josh Smith to average 20 points and 10 rebounds next year and Horford to have around 18 ppg and 11 Rpg. I think we need more depth at SG and SF and T MAC would help in that area, we also need another 3 point shooter to make up for the loss of Marvin Williams.
STRETCH
July 5th, 2012
4:56 pm
Emiliano Carchia:Jason Kidd decides to leave Dallas and joins the Knickshttp://www.sportando.net/eng/us…3 minutes ago
Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html#ixzz1zmf4dKgu
prison mike
July 5th, 2012
4:56 pm
I though you had to be over the 58 million to use the MLE. Who cares anyway, I would rather the ASG save their money this year and go balls out up 70 million next year.
Old Man Peabody
July 5th, 2012
4:59 pm
I don’t see Howard coming here, most superstars want to play with other superstars or atleast be in a market that gets them higher endorsement deals. the Nets or LA is the best place to be to earn money. No matter the Bird Rights or what ever. Howard would earn tripple the amount ATL can pay him especially if he makes the Nets a contender, don’t get your hopes up, superstar players see the extra money they can make outside of there salary. That’s one of the reason Melo wanted to go to New York even though Denver was a better team. I think ATL has alot of negatives going against them, home crowd cheer for opposing teams superstars, there own top players(Smith) don’t even want to be here, and last but not least the worse coach in the game next to coach Spo. So ATL has alot to prove before they start to attract the star player. JMO
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:03 pm
MC – Thanks man – and good work on the numbers!
So we do have the full Mid Level and the Full Bi Annual to burn if we decide to.
If we play big, the only hole I see is Morrow at the 2 – he’s better off the bench. Any SG’s we can get for the Mid Level that are better than Morrow?
I wonder if we’ll get back in the hunt for Hinrich? (I heard a collective groan from some bloggers there)
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:05 pm
I hope we keep Devin Harris – He and Teague will make a great combination if LD uses them correctly.
Devin’s getting older, he may accept a backup role, but a large one.
Slimjr
July 5th, 2012
5:11 pm
“Source: Jason Kidd, Knicks agree
In an unforeseen reversal, Jason Kidd has decided to leave the Dallas Mavericks to join the New York Knicks, according to sources familiar with the decision. With the Mavericks confident that they were closing in Thursday on a verbal agreement on a three-year deal with Kidd worth $9 million, sources told ESPN.com that Kidd — after all-day deliberations with both teams — has decided instead to leave Dallas to join the Knicks for a similar deal. The contract can’t actually be signed until July 11, which is the first day new NBA contracts can be signed. It’s also possible, one source said, that Kidd could ultimately move to the Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal. Sources briefed on the matter told ESPN.com that Kidd was ultimately swayed to take the Knicks’ offer to come to New York and take on the challenge of trying to help the Knicks move into the Eastern Conference and also mentor fans darling’ Jeremy Lin. ESPN”
What? What a steal for the Knicks? Amazing! That came out of no where?
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:14 pm
I wonder if Barbosa would make a nice SG for part or all of the vet minimum?
He’s another one of those Spurs late first picks (#28) who’s had a nice career.
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:14 pm
Not vet min. for Barbosa – Mid Level is what I meant
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:16 pm
Slim – If I’m the Knicks, I almost let Houston go ahead and take their own poison pill with Lin, while I sign Raymond Felton.
I think Felton is the better PG anyway, but that’s just me.
Dan
July 5th, 2012
5:16 pm
What about Mayo and Beasley?
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:18 pm
Paying Lin 10 mill dollars for a season in 3 years? Better hope he’s worth it.
And paying Asik 15 Mill in that same season? What are the Rockets thinking about their cap space if these teams don’t match.
I know they can average it over the life of the contract, but still…
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:18 pm
For cap space purposes – from last sentence of the last post.
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
Dan – Beasley is going to sign with Phoenix for 3 years 18 mill and Mayo is looking for 4 year 30 mill money (7.5 m per year).
Slimjr
July 5th, 2012
5:20 pm
SteveW, I here ya! lol!
Kid has got plenty left in the tank!
You’re looking at 60-65 wins for sure now, if they stay healthy! Wow what a huge pickup for the Knicks?
PEDRO EL GITANO
July 5th, 2012
5:22 pm
No hay problema en el puesto de 2,está bien cubierto por Morrow y Jenkins,yo creo que mejor cubierto que con ese cadáver indolente de JoJo.También tenemos a Stevenson,que no es santo de mi devoción,pero algo ayudará.La clave es el puesto de 3,creo que se debería renovar a T-Mac y traer a Alonzo Gee.Josh Smith cuánto más cerca de la canasta juegue será mejor para el equipo.Y en el puesto de pivot no sé si Petro nos podría ayudar…yo creo que el hombre es:Kris Humphries.
nique
July 5th, 2012
5:25 pm
Don’t think Josh is talented enough to play 2 positions at once.
mountain_jim
July 5th, 2012
5:25 pm
“Rather than trade away our core and gamble on him resigning after 1yr, I’d rather gamble on waiting until he becomes a FA after the season to try signing him. That way we retain our core players and draft picks.”
I agree with Ken above
O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
5:26 pm
Ken S,
I’m not against us going after DHoward, but I am against trading our core to get him, even with a guarantee he’ll resign. We can trade for him now and sign CP3 to go along with Josh, but we wouldn’t be able to surround them with much talent or assemble much of a bench..
So even if Dwight agrees to resign, you don’t want to trade Horford, Teague, and a couple first round picks for him? You do realize our draft picks will be in the late teens, right? How many superstars come from that late in the draft?
And look at Miami’s bench? It’s weak. But when you have a superstar on your team, other guys will take less money to play with them.
Question for you Ken. If the Hawks go into next offseason with all that cap space, and CP3 stays with the Clippers, Harden stays in OKC, and Howard goes somewhere else, what would be your backup plan?
How do you think the Hawks can spend that cap space and realistically compete for a top 2 seed?
SteveW
July 5th, 2012
5:28 pm
I’m not sure if I don’t go after Micheal Redd if he’s healthy for the 2 G. He played some solid minutes with Phoenix last season.
I’d give Ramon Sessions a try at the 2 as well possibly.
Still have Delfino and Shannon Brown hanging out there also.
O'Brien
July 5th, 2012
5:28 pm
Jason Kidd to the Knicks.
If I am the Hawks, I am signing 2 vet min SF (like Damien and somebody else). No need to overspend on a multiple year contract when we will be competing for 6-8 in the east.
And if we suck even worse, that just means LD will be let go next year, and our draft pick will be higher
ryan
July 5th, 2012
5:28 pm
If we don’t get Howard and Josh Smith leaves then what happens do become a lottery team .