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
THE IMMORTAL...I MUS WRITE
July 6th, 2012
12:40 pm
Obrien they both shoot too many jumpers in my opinion. Al is one dimensional -the only part of his game that trumps Josh is the midrange shot. ill live with josh taking jumpers because he does so many other things for this team….Blocks Assists Steals etc.
If we had a competent coach Josh would probably shoot less. To his credit his shot has gotten alot better especially this past season.
Serious question/ Is Al horford that much better than Brandon Bass -David Lee- Ivan?
Just Joe
July 6th, 2012
12:43 pm
AJ…only 3 teams can bid on Brand or hypothetically Joe (if he had been amnestied). If the player clears those 3 teams, they are free to pick their new team and negotiate their new contract terms.
Rod from College Park
July 6th, 2012
12:44 pm
“I dont understand the Love for Gerald Green….Super athletic SG/SF with good size 6′8….What exactly has he done in this league besides change teams and win the Dunk Contest. Did I miss something. Marvin has done more in this league than Gerald benchrider Green”
“I don’t understand the Gerald Green love either. I thought he did well on a poor Nets team, but he was a loser many of the years before. Most teams didn’t want anything to do with him.”
Not saying he deserves a big contract, but Gerald Green is better than Marvin. He can put the ball on the floor, handle the rock, shoot the three, and finish in traffic. He simply was very immature and had to learn the hard way. With some guys it takes time. I would be willing to take a chance on him now, more than anytime before because he has hit rock bottom, and made it back to to top. He went to the D-league and dominated. Marvin has only done things in the league because of playing time that he did not earn. The Hawks are the only team in the league who would give Marvin Williams those type of minutes. Now that he is off the Hawks team, he will fade into oblivion.
Jaded Hawks Fan
July 6th, 2012
12:47 pm
I just believe a team with Al and Smoove should make the playoffs. If we can fill in a couple of these holes, I could even see the Hawks not dropping off too far from last year. When we lost Al, I thought we were a .500 team that would finish about 7th or 8th in the East. I certainly didn’t see us finishing 40-26. To me, having Al back negates losing Joe.
The Hawks may surprise us all again this year. Or we may find out Joe meant a lot more to this team than we realized. Either way, I’ll be watching intently.
Marcus
July 6th, 2012
12:48 pm
[i]test[/i]
[b]OK[/b]
Rev in Tampa
July 6th, 2012
12:48 pm
@Big Ray – “If we’re getting in on any of the Dwightmare drama, this is probably how – as a third team. If at all. Might wanna just hang this one up, folks. Don’t know if we can absorb a “bad contract”. We just got rid of two of them.”
If I were a slug I’d gladly absorb salt to get Dwightmare to Atlanta. I’m tired of starting the season with expectations of mediocrity.
Marcus
July 6th, 2012
12:50 pm
HOU has a glut of forwards and they gotta do something.
Can we get in the mixx?
They must have had 10+ frontcourt players before the trade of K. Lowery, which netted yet another F (Gary Forbes). Heck, their official roster doesn’t even list the guy they have stashed over in Poland from the ‘11 draft (see excerpt)
quick rundown of all current froncourt players in HOU:
On active roster at end 2011-12 season (updated for trade of F Chase Budinger):
Marcus Camby (FA) C 6-11 235
Samuel Dalembert C 6-11 250
Courtney Lee (FA) G-F 6-5 200
Marcus Morris F 6-9 235
Chandler Parsons F 6-9 227
Patrick Patterson F-C 6-9 235
Luis Scola F 6-9 245
Diamon Simpson F 6-7 230
Greg Smith C-F 6-10 250
Obtained by trades in 2012:
Jon Leuer F 6-10 228 (MIL)
Jon Brockman F 6-8 255 (MIL)
Gary Forbes F 6-7 220 (TOR)
Drafted in 2012:
Furkan Aldemir F 6-9 230 (Turkey)
Terrence Jones F 6-9 252 (Kentucky)
Royce White F 6-8 270 (Iowa State)
Excerpt from USA Today article on Kyle Lowery trade:
“They do have an overload at forward, though, after drafting Royce White and Terrence Jones and trading for Forbes, Jon Brockman and Jon Leuer this offseason. The Rockets’ roster already included forwards Luis Scola, Chandler Parsons, Patrick Patterson and Marcus Morris, plus 2011 first-rounder Donatas Motiejunas, who played in Poland last season.”
Astro Joe
July 6th, 2012
12:51 pm
If you are a diehard fan of Josh Smith, there is a good chance that you have concluded that making your jumpers is not overly important. So with that in mind, I now understand why so many Josh fans undervalue Horford, because one of the things that he does better than most players at his position in the entire NBA, is not viewed as a particularly important skill. Assuming Al gets 14+ FGAs this coming season, he will go for an easy 18/10 this season.
just saying
July 6th, 2012
12:52 pm
What about that Jordan guy from the trade??
cdog
July 6th, 2012
12:52 pm
finally, a real GM the hawks have.no one is tying danny ferry hands as no one tied sund’s hands. he just didn’t know what he was doing. ferry is a basketball man where ricky sund wasn’t. he’s going to make the hawks into a championship contender, as i said, they fired the wrong one in mike woodson. sund should have been gone 3 years ago. now we have hope in ferry. now we need a championship coach.larry “dr. loser ” drew should be next to go.
Rod from College Park
July 6th, 2012
12:52 pm
“Serious question/ Is Al horford that much better than Brandon Bass -David Lee- Ivan?”
No. Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson basically shut him down in the playoffs in the Orlando series that we won. Bass and Anderson are both great mid range shooters like Horford. Horford does rebound the ball better than them, but that’s about it.
THE IMMORTAL...I MUS WRITE
July 6th, 2012
12:53 pm
Rod from CP- I havent been keeping up with GG…Do you think he is better than say….TMac or Radmonovich right now.
Marcus
July 6th, 2012
12:53 pm
Looking at the youth of the list of frontcourt players that HOU has, excluding Camby, nobody has more than 5 years experience (L. Scola, even though he is over 30) and the majority of them will have 3 years or less of NBA experience by the time 2012 – 2013 rolls around.
At worst, we can pick up one of them after camp cutdowns.
steven a smith
July 6th, 2012
12:56 pm
“I Love this idea.”
SteveW
July 6th, 2012
10:05 am
All I know is an Al Jefferson at C and Al Horford at PF frontline would be the best this side of Bynum and Gasol.
I would move Josh smith and Teague for Al Jefferson “NOW!” All the Nimbers work.
Rod from College Park
July 6th, 2012
12:56 pm
“If you are a diehard fan of Josh Smith, there is a good chance that you have concluded that making your jumpers is not overly important. So with that in mind, I now understand why so many Josh fans undervalue Horford, because one of the things that he does better than most players at his position in the entire NBA, is not viewed as a particularly important skill. Assuming Al gets 14+ FGAs this coming season, he will go for an easy 18/10 this season.”
Horford only became a deadly midrange jumpshooter for one year during the regular season. In the playoffs once teams looked at the film and realized that all they had to do was crowd him, he was shut down. He did not play enough this year to determine if he has developed any other moves. He did look good in the playoffs this year. Hopefully he will develop some post moves to go along with his set shot.
Astro Joe
July 6th, 2012
12:57 pm
Rev., if you thought the previous roster with Joe, Marvin and at least 1-2 decent bench scorers on it would lead to mediocrity, you better find some mustard seeds in hopes of being reaching mediocrity in the coming year (if we do nothing else).
Astro Joe
July 6th, 2012
12:59 pm
Rod, you didn’t go to Utah with Marvin Williams? Damm~
The Truth
July 6th, 2012
1:01 pm
Been gone for a while, I have I missed anything?
Rick James
July 6th, 2012
1:02 pm
Gerald Green would make a really nice addition to the Hawks bench.
Rod from College Park
July 6th, 2012
1:03 pm
“Rod from CP- I havent been keeping up with GG…Do you think he is better than say….TMac or Radmonovich right now.”
No doubt. Gerald Green has all the skill and ability to be a star in this league. His head and work ethic is where his problems were. Being out of the NBA, and having to play overseas, and in the D-league, has humbled him, and from all I have heard, he has changed his ways. He shot 48% from the field last year in 25mpg, and almost 40% from 3 point land. If he got the looks Marvin got on this team, he would probably put up around 18ppg.
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
1:04 pm
Jeff and Josh for Al Jefferson, JUST DAM
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Rod from College Park
July 6th, 2012
1:05 pm
“Gerald Green would make a really nice addition to the Hawks bench.”
He would start easily at the 3 on this team. Might be one of the best players.
Jay DUbu
July 6th, 2012
1:08 pm
Look for Joe Johnson and Marvin to have really big ears for their new teams.
Part out of anger for being traded, part out of being in a new environment where expectations are higher, and part out of wanting to prove to ATL that they were better than given credit for.
Let’s hope the Hawks that are still here play with a chip on their shoulders, and the new joiners have a desire to show their previous teams that they are good players.
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
1:10 pm
Rod from CP – Gerald Green would be a steal for the Hawks and won’t cause much money.
Gerald Green 4 years 10mill is a steal.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
steven a smith
July 6th, 2012
1:10 pm
PG Harris/Farmer/Pargo
SG Jenkins/Stevenson/Morrow
SF Pietrus/Steven Jackson
PF Horford/Ivan Johnson/Mike Scott
C Al Jefferson/Johan Petro/Zsa Zsa
This team would be one elite “Scorer” away from the NBA finals!!!
Astro Joe
July 6th, 2012
1:11 pm
Look for Joe Johnson and Marvin to have really big ears for their new teams.
Part out of anger for being traded, part out of being in a new environment where expectations are higher, and part out of wanting to prove to ATL that they were better than given credit for.
And part because they will be operating in offenses that are better executed because no one will “go rogue” with the designed play.
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
1:12 pm
http://youtu.be/9JPusZMojW4
Get this guy ASAP.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
KevinM
July 6th, 2012
1:16 pm
Ok, Danny, check on Lou Williams, who is not returning to Philly….we need to get points on the board and he can be used as a combo guard.
steven a smith
July 6th, 2012
1:16 pm
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
1:10 pm
Rod from CP – Gerald Green would be a steal for the Hawks and won’t cause much money.
Gerald Green 4 years 10mill is a steal.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Big Dog must have been hanging around with “SNOOP DOG” on SNOOPS’ party bus considering the basketball moves you are sugeesting. Gerald Green??? CHILD PLEASE..
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
1:16 pm
http://youtu.be/AQnETBU8KpU
steven a smith
July 6th, 2012
1:20 pm
GERALD GREEN IS A STREAKY SCRUB…PERIOD!! BACK TO THE D-LEAGUE FOR GG.
KevinM
July 6th, 2012
1:23 pm
“The source said the Magic have made it clear that they want multiple first-round picks in any deal for Howard”
“By giving the Suns two first-round picks (2013 and 2015) and two second-round picks (2013 and 2014), they dealt the sort of assets that interest Hennigan, whose roots with the Oklahoma City Thunder taught him the value of building through the draft.”
“A source with knowledge of the discussions between the Nets and Magic said one of two scenarios appears likely now: either there’s a deal “within the next week” in which Howard heads for Brooklyn, or the talks are tabled until after Dec. 15.
This out of cnnsi.com…..
Howard is going to come at a cost for the next 3-4 drafts IMO.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
1:23 pm
“He’s angry with Hawks fans because he blames us for successfully voting Horford onto the Allstar team and not him.
He’s so headstrong and immature that he seems to be in competition with his teammate more so that the opposition. I guess that’s why he’s been willing to throw Horford under the bus by openly trying to get DHoward to come to Atlanta and replace Horford. I read an article yesterday about LA, and particularly KBryant, not making any overtures towards DHoward out of respect for Bynum, who he’d likely replace.
Yet, we have our immature resident man child openly stating his joy at JJ and Marvin being traded. Absolutely no professionism or maturity whatsoever.”
WTF are you talking about? He never made any public comments about the trade one way or another.
Armchair psychology is as armchair psychology does.
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
1:24 pm
steve a smith – You must be Marvin William Cousin, I BE DAM
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
The Real cp
July 6th, 2012
1:25 pm
You could plug Gerald Green at the 2 or 3 right now on this team. Its a real good interview with him discussing how immatrue he was when he first got in the league and relied heavily on his athleticism. He goes on to talk about how much harder he works now and he wont ever take this opportunity for granted like he did the first time. Him and Josh on the wings with Teague or Harris pushing the rock would be a great look
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
1:27 pm
“If you are a diehard fan of Josh Smith, there is a good chance that you have concluded that making your jumpers is not overly important. ”
Uh… just because you like what a player brings to the table doesn’t mean you necessarily devalue the areas in which he is deficient. This is like saying all die hard fans of Horford think shot creation and post moves are unimportant.
KevinM
July 6th, 2012
1:29 pm
“BIG DOG – that youtube clip was nice”
Perhaps he is worth what we are hearing…I like his size, 6′8″ 200.
Do we have the room to give him Morrow type nimbers? He is now 26 and looks like he has grown up.
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
1:29 pm
“Al is one dimensional -the only part of his game that trumps Josh is the midrange shot.”
Since Al scored as many 4th quarter baskets in the playoffs this year as Joe and Josh combined, I’d say Al trumps Josh in clutch playoff scoring.
“Serious question/ Is Al horford that much better than Brandon Bass -David Lee- Ivan?”
You would have to ask the people who keep voting Al for All-Star and All-NBA. Ask yourself this. If Ferry offered Al to the Celtics straight up for Bass would they take it. Of course they would. Stupid question. Bass is nowhere near the player Al is, nor will he ever be.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 6th, 2012
1:31 pm
“Al lost his dog when he almost took that little guys head off on a fast break in Atl. put the little feller in the hospital.
ain’t been the same since.”
I actually kind of agree. Boss Al died a little the day he sent TJ Ford to the emergency room.
steven a smith
July 6th, 2012
1:33 pm
Gerald Green is athletically fine, however, so is Josh Smith. You need the total package to be a champion. He will get “ABUSED” by Wade and Lebron….
BIG DOG
July 6th, 2012
1:24 pm
steve a smith – You must be Marvin William Cousin, I BE DAM
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
1:33 pm
BIG DOG, big co-sign on Gerald Green.
yoursporthousedotcom
July 6th, 2012
1:34 pm
“Look for Joe Johnson and Marvin to have really big ears for their new teams.”
Uh Jay Dubu, look for Marvin to have a big year? I don’t think so. Joe may because he has a better PG on the team. Marvin, he’s garbage.
steven a smith
July 6th, 2012
1:37 pm
GREAT ROSTER………
steven a smith
July 6th, 2012
1:10 pm
PG Harris/Farmer/Pargo
SG Jenkins/Stevenson/Morrow
SF Pietrus/Steven Jackson
PF Horford/Ivan Johnson/Mike Scott
C Al Jefferson/Johan Petro/Zsa Zsa
ryan
July 6th, 2012
1:38 pm
Its looking more likely the Hawks is not getting Dwight Howard so now what happens .
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
1:39 pm
“Sautee, don’t be a hypocrite, attack Ken Strickland with the same zeal that you go after High-sider, and others when they make statements that are not true. Josh has said nothing close to this.”- Rod from CP..
Hey Rod don’t hold you breath on that request.. LMFAO!!!!!!
Agree Najeh what the heck was that diatribe coming from BK’s number one fan? Wow….
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
1:39 pm
We would need GG on a 1 year deal because we can’t take on any multi year deals. Maybe he would do it for the opportunity to start.
ryan
July 6th, 2012
1:40 pm
I think we should try at least trade Smith in stead of letting him walk and get something for him .
Buddy G
July 6th, 2012
1:41 pm
“Its looking more likely the Hawks is not getting Dwight Howard so now what happens”
How do you figure? Looking better by the minute to me.
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
1:42 pm
Josh is 2x>than overrated Robotus the escort!
Slimjr
July 6th, 2012
1:44 pm
“His game is not built to crack the glass ceiling” –unknown author–