Atlanta Hawks: Wings are the thing
The Hawks are interested in free agent forward Anthony Randolph, as reported today by Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The Hawks also remain in contact with the Magic about trade possibilities for Dwight Howard.
But the more pressing concern for the Hawks is signing a small forward after they agreed to trade away Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson.
“We have to look at the wing area to bring somebody in that can help us,” Drew said. “With having the six spots filled [including] the two draft picks on the roster, solidifying on the wing becomes more of a priority than a ‘big.’ We could add another big but, right now, certainly the priority is strengthening the wing area and then possibly adding another big.”
As things stand now, Atlanta’s options include playing one of Josh Smith, Anthony Morrow or DeShawn Stevenson at small forward. Smith was able to play the wing effectively in certain matchups last season but neither he nor Morrow or Stevenson is a natural for the position.
The Hawks are interested in Rashard Lewis and Courtney Lee. They’ve also reportedly inquired about O.J. Mayo.
Other free-agent wings still on the board include Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, Carlos Delfino, Antawn Jamison, Mickael Pietrus, C.J. Miles and Tracy McGrady.
The Hawks can offer a contract that starts as high as the non-taxpayer mid-level exception maximum of $5 million. It appears that the first wave of free-agent signings isn’t quite over as players look for money and/or contending teams to join. The Hawks could still be a pretty good team next season but clearly no longer are as attractive to free agents as they were last season, when they could sell the possibility of a strong postseason run.
With that in mind, expect the Hawks to zero in on free agents to sign once the market settles.
“There’s been some surprising things that have happened with free agents,” Drew said. “Our stand is just to continue to look at possibilities that can help our ball club. There are still some interesting names out there. We’ve had contact with a number of free agents and we want to bring in guys that can play right away, whether they start or come off the bench.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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779 comments Add your comment
Whiplash
July 7th, 2012
1:37 pm
Joe Johnson is an OVERHYPED and OVERPAID Scrub, Who could argue that hes overpaid?
Scrub? I suggest you put the mirror down.
Obviously the Brooklyn Nets thought enough of JJ to go get him and feel he is a key part to an attempt at a championship run, regardless of his contract amount.
Let me guess…even your wife, ( my sympathy to the woman) doesn’t ask you for advice.
Whiplash
July 7th, 2012
1:39 pm
“Joe Johnson is an OVERHYPED and OVERPAID Scrub” – Idiot
Rather who could argue that hes not over paid?
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
1:43 pm
Joe is overpaid, but he is not a scrub. that is ludicrous. I bet by mid-season of 2012-2013 most of you are going to wish we had JJ back.
don’t get me wrong I am glad he was traded, but if we don’t get a Dwight Howard and/or Chris Paul type player this will be a bad trade for the Hawks.
Jay Dubu
July 7th, 2012
1:44 pm
The Hawks will get to see the backcourt that they could have had, Joe Johnson and D. Williams, had Billy knew how to draft.
Jase
July 7th, 2012
1:46 pm
Enter your comments here
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
1:46 pm
Jay Dubu,
and I am in believe that is will be best in the east. I can’t think of a better back court in the whole NBA. maybe Nash and Kobe if Nash still has anything left in the tank. which I believe he does
brigadierjerry
July 7th, 2012
1:46 pm
Looks like Farmer is headed to Turkey
http://www.sportando.net/eng/europe/turkey/40688/anadolu-efes-istanbul-in-advanced-talks-with-jordan-farmar.html
brigadierjerry
July 7th, 2012
1:52 pm
stephen a smith,
joe J isnt a scrub. Can you name 5 better shooting guards than Joe johnson. He isnt a first option as evidenced by his time in atlanta but he is a good second option.
The Truth
July 7th, 2012
1:59 pm
“But the more pressing concern for the Hawks is signing a small forward after they agreed to trade away Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson” – mc
“The Hawks are interested in free agent forward Anthony Randolph” – mc
“The Hawks are interested in Rashard Lewis and Courtney Lee. They’ve also reportedly inquired about O.J. Mayo” – mc
“The Hawks can offer a contract that starts as high as the non-taxpayer mid-level exception maximum of $5 million” – mc
In retrospect, let’s be clear, removing ourselves from JJ jaw-breaking contract has been unanimous. However, Marvin’s two year remaining contract totaling 16M was not near as toxic with JJ contract removed. Yes his production was marginal given his expectation but if Danny’s replacement wing isn’t matching Marvin total output than this move might have been premature. Believe it or not, in this aggressive market, replacing Marvin overall production may not be so easy. If Danny for example negotiates a 3 yr mid-level deal with the wing replacement player, which will equal Marvin current contract value, expectation must be he (at least) matches Marvin production. Of the wing players the Hawks are pursuing, only OJ Mayo and Rashard Lewis would be considered a scoring upgrade and none of these prospects will be a rebounding upgrade; actually a rebounding downgrade. D Harris might be a slight scoring upgrade from Kirk but at the expense of rebounding drop-off which still may result in game losses. So D Harris impact may not be realized. Furthermore OJ Mayo at 6’-4” is a SG and not SF so why is he even on the list.
If Danny must take a wing downgrade, at least pay less than 16M total dollars. Time will tell if this move pans out. The current perception is Danny angling to participate in the D12 sweepstake so Marvin’s 16M contract would be an accomplishment since cap relief would be the apparent goal. However, if Danny loses-out on D12, his gamble may net him the shorter-end of this part of the stick.
steven a smith
July 7th, 2012
1:59 pm
brigadierjerry
July 7th, 2012
1:52 pm
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Dewayne Wade
3. Kevin Durant
4. James Harden
5. Ray Allen
6. Paul Peirce
7. Monte Ellis
Need i say more????
Ray
July 7th, 2012
2:09 pm
Joe Johnson is a scrub, but it can be argued about where he stands as far as Shooting Guards as of right now.
We know surely D-wade and Kobe is in front of
@ Steve A Smith
Durant and Paul Pierce play Small Forward that’s their primary position.
Ray
July 7th, 2012
2:11 pm
Oops forgot to finish the last post, but D-wade and Kobe are in front of Joe.
It can be argued where someone like Monta Ellis or James Harden even Kevin Martin is on the list.
Got to see what Joe does in a new system where he really won’t be the #1 option. He is going to be 3rd option once Dwight gets there if he does that is.
steven a smith
July 7th, 2012
2:19 pm
Glad that other Bloggers can see what Joe Johnson truely meant to the Atlanta Hawks Organization.
I am pleased to see him go. And Marvin “no starvin” Williams as well. Danny Ferry played in the National Basketball Association and could truely assess these SCRUBS for what their true value
“was” and “is.” May God Bless Danny Ferry for his Courage..
steven a smith
July 7th, 2012
2:21 pm
I Wish Danny Ferry could Trade away some of these Bloggers like “Whipgirl” or whatever the name is!!!
NORRIS CHUCK
July 7th, 2012
2:27 pm
steven a. smith,
You left off Scott as well.
terrell
July 7th, 2012
2:28 pm
Hey Ferry, dont forget about Nique and Ryan Cameron. Need to be replaced asap. As Bill Walton used to say, Just HORRIBLE.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
July 7th, 2012
2:30 pm
“It was his role to talk those shots and hit or miss thats what he was here for.”
$18M just to talk about shots? Good gig if you can get it.
terrell
July 7th, 2012
2:30 pm
We’re going to wish we had JJ back??? LMAO!
terrell
July 7th, 2012
2:31 pm
Why? So we can stay in mediocrity??
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
2:40 pm
steven a smith
July 7th, 2012
1:5p pm
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Dewayne Wade
3. Kevin Durant
4. James Harden
5. Ray Allen
6. Paul Peirce
7. Monte Ellis
Need i say more???
WOW!!! Monte Ellis? really?? James Harden? really?? Ray Allen?? I will give you that one. in his prime he was better than Joe, but Ray Ray isn’t in his prime any more. he couldn’t even take his starting position back from Avery Bradley when he game back from injury this past season. and Kevin Durant and Paul Peirce are not SG they are SF. so that only leaves Kobe and Wade which are better than JJ……………. but that is only 2 not 5.
p.s. did you see how JJ killed Ray Allen in the playoffs a few years back when we took Boston to 7 the hawks first playoff birth with JJ as a Hawk….. who looked better that day. to add what did Paul Peirce do after Antwain Walker left and before he had two sure fire Hall of famers (KG and Allen) as team mates…. lets see how Joe Johnson performs with someone of equal or greater talent as a teammate(Deron Williams).
Gets Buckets
July 7th, 2012
2:42 pm
Ray Allen and Monte Ellis are not better than Joe Johnson. Durant and Pierce are forwards and Harden is close, but not yet better than Joe overall. Harden is more explosive, but Joe has game too and more experience so I give him the edge. And of course, all of this is in my humble opinion.
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
2:46 pm
terrell @ 2:30 pm
no. because right now this teams isn’t as good as it was last year…. and I am ok with that if the hawks goal is to get Dwight and/or Chris Paul…. even if the Hawks don’t get them. I will be ok with these trades if we at least attempt to land a super star player. but if we don’t get one of those it will not be long before we are a 13 win team again and that will be with Horford and Teague on this team.
Wabe
July 7th, 2012
2:48 pm
Joe is definitely one of the better SGs’ in the league.
The problem is simple though. Joe’s been ‘the man’ on this team since he arrived. When he did arrive, he was surrounded by a bunch of young guys who were always looking to him to get things done. The offense ran through him.
Over the years, we never really saw any evolution in our offensive philsophy. We were still forcefeeding Joe. Even last season when it became increasingly evident that perhaps Josh was the best player/best option on this team, we were still running things through Joe.
The reason being, this team developed habits, and it’s been extremely difficult to stem these habits.
Now with Joe out of the picture, it’ll allow us to move in a different direction as far as our offensive philosophy is concerned. Guys like Josh and Al will be the focal points in the offense. As already mentioned, Joe’s not really a #1 guy, he’d fit better in a situation where he could be the robin to some other guy’s batman.
tony
July 7th, 2012
2:50 pm
The hawks are in talks to trade Josh Smith to the Lakers for Gasol. Now thats a great move if the hawks can cet another player or a draft pick.
Sautee
July 7th, 2012
2:52 pm
“to add what did Paul Peirce do after Antwain Walker left and before he had two sure fire Hall of famers (KG and Allen) as team mates” – myrak43
I’m no PP fan (though I respect his talent), but the year after Antoine, he put up 23.0 ppg, 6.5 reb, and 5.1 ast. So don’t act like he had to have help to produce.
Has any Hawk since Nique had a season that good?
Sure he didn’t have enough help to go far until 07-08, but don’t detract from what he did pretty much single-handedly from 03-07. More than anyone on our roster during that time.
brigadierjerry
July 7th, 2012
2:54 pm
stephen a smith,
now i know you are trolling with that list. Pierce and Durant arent 2 guards. You would rather have monte Ellis or James Harden or Ray Allen than Joe Johnson?I liked that Ferry moved Johnson but if you replaced Johnson with any of these guards who are two guards as lead person and the Hawks would’ve been worse off. How did Monte Ellis work out in Golden State as the lead guy all those years? I like Harden but Harden comes off the bench and I think Joe J is better than him. Ray Allen good player but he is way past his prime Durant and Pierce as i said are forwards and the only two guards better than Johnson are Kobe and Wade. You been hanging around Skip Bayless on First Take.too long
I like the direction Ferry is going but that list only the first 2 are better than Joe Johnson as two guards
Neki
July 7th, 2012
2:57 pm
@toney,
Do you know when LA got Steve Nash they traded away any draft picks with that and if they get Dwight they need to send more draft picks. So Josh isnt going to LA, we are that stupid.
hmmmm.........
July 7th, 2012
2:58 pm
I hear AI wants back in the league. Practice!
terrell
July 7th, 2012
3:05 pm
The problem wasnt really JJ the player, it was those 120 million bones he was getting. And of course he’s a better all around player than Monte, the old Ray Allen, etc……, but theyre not cashing checks like that.
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
3:08 pm
Sautee
July 7th, 2012
2:52 pm
I am not saying PP isn’t a better player than JJ. what I am saying is that PP didn’t take Boston any further than JJ took Atlanta until he had KG and Ray Ray as teammates…. think about that. what could JJ have done in Atlanta if he had two sure fire first ballot hall of famers as teammates?
Jay Dubu
July 7th, 2012
3:09 pm
“Over the years, we never really saw any evolution in our offensive philsophy. We were still forcefeeding Joe. Even last season when it became increasingly evident that perhaps Josh was the best player/best option on this team, we were still running things through Joe. ”
Some of that is due to the fact that LD would draw up a play on the sidelines, and when they got back on the floor, they did what they always do. Maybe, the defense was different, and they went to their comfort zone. Maybe some of the guys (Josh) are going to do what they want to do.
hawksfaninthewest
July 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
The best wing move would be to miss playoffs, get lucky with the lottery ball and pick Shabazz Muhammad.
Sautee
July 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
“think about that. what could JJ have done in Atlanta if he had two sure fire first ballot hall of famers as teammates?”
Or Josh or Al, for that matter. But they weren’t the ones being paid as “the man”.
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
3:14 pm
terrell JJ wasn’t chasing checks either. that is what the Hawks offered him…. if you job offered you ( and I don’t know what you do for a living) 20 million dollars a year to do what it is you do. would you tell them naw man I don’t deserve that much just give me 40k a year, I am good with that?
child please. the man did nothing wrong with accepting what his employers offered. that was AGS poor decision in offering that much. can’t be mad at Joe.
hawksfaninthewest
July 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
Do we still have the rights to Cenk Akyol? LOL .~
SN
July 7th, 2012
3:19 pm
Why would anyone want TMac, if he plays more than 20 mins for 2 games straight he is out for 5 games with a back injury. Use Devin Harris and Kirk Hinrich for now, atleast Kirk is one of the few Hawks that can hit a open jumper.
JustSayinB
July 7th, 2012
3:21 pm
LD: You still here? You need to hurry up and trade Josh so you can leave. You been riding Josh’s jock for far too long. As soon as DF finds the right combo and all is said and done-let’s see if they stick a fork in you, too!
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
3:27 pm
the biggest problem the hawks have had over the years is that we have only had one player that was complete.
Horford is a solid player but he is more of a PF but he has been playing C. Josh Smith is a twinner. he can’t handle the ball well enough to be a SF and he is a bit under size to be a PF. Teague is just learning. Kirk is solid but he is more of a combo guard. Bibby was nice but he was past his prime when he came to the hawks. we haven’t had a center. and Marvin was could have been a complete player but he just didn’t have the drive to be much of a factor and was more often than not lost in the shuffle.
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
3:30 pm
oh and that one complete player has been JJ
]
Sautee
July 7th, 2012
3:37 pm
Why do so many bloggers keep posting about Hinrich as if we had any rights to him? His contract is over. As I understand it, he is an unrestricted free agent. He seems to be headed back to Chicago.
shawn archer
July 7th, 2012
3:39 pm
The right choice would be to make a serious offer for Dwight Howard. The Hawks will never get to the NBA Finals or win a championship because they are too cheap and don’t want to spend money. My suggestion, make the trade for Dwight Howard and then offer him a big multi-year deal so he can be in Atlanta long term, but the Hawks won’t do it because it’s too much like right! SMDH
terrell
July 7th, 2012
3:45 pm
Thats the problem. They offered TOO MUCH. It was killing us cap wise Cant pay Robin that kind of money. That. Not saying it was JJ’s fault dude. It was the ASG ’s fault. Ferry got us out of that mess. If you want JJ and his contract back, fine. Good luck finding a lot of people who agree with you. I for one, have seen enough of Joe Johnson is a Hawks uniform.
terrell
July 7th, 2012
3:46 pm
And I didnt say chasing checks, I said cashing checks.
Larry
July 7th, 2012
3:56 pm
“We could add another big but, right now,…”
You left out the extra “t” for ”butt.’
How big of a butt do they need? Kim Kardashian comes to mind as a possibility!
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
3:59 pm
I hope Danny can pull off a rim rocker or this team will be irrelevant very soon just like that dirty bird team a couple of blocks away…
Would be no news there….
ATL21
July 7th, 2012
4:03 pm
What make JJ so good. But he never voted a starter on the All-Star team! We never made it past the 2nd round, barely average 20ppg. When JJ and Al was out who STEP up? Josh was the MAIN reason why we call Phillips Arena the Higlight Factory!!! Please be careful about trading Josh?!
myrak43
July 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
terrell my friend. i didn’t say I want Joe back. I said i like the trade. what i did say is if we cannot get a super star type player we will miss joe. and as far as cashing checks. what is wrong with that.
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
4:09 pm
Kool-aid drinkers beware..
The Hawks have average about 14 wins and over 20 losses against the winners under Larry’s tenure..
Don’t expect more than 6-8 wins this coming season? Unless Danny pulls off something huge..
Thank you Captain Obvious…
Your Welcome…
Slimjr
July 7th, 2012
4:10 pm
[avg[per season] if anyone is counting.^^^^^^
northcyde
July 7th, 2012
4:14 pm
terrell
July 7th, 2012
3:45 pm
Thats the problem. They offered TOO MUCH. It was killing us cap wise Cant pay Robin that kind of money. That. Not saying it was JJ’s fault dude. It was the ASG ’s fault. Ferry got us out of that mess. If you want JJ and his contract back, fine. Good luck finding a lot of people who agree with you. I for one, have seen enough of Joe Johnson is a Hawks uniform.
********************
JJ’s contract wasn’t killing the Hawks. He still isn’t making 20 mill a year.
In this era of overpaid NBA players, he would’ve gotten a MAX contract from any team that obtained his services back in 2010.
Keep in mind what we have here. We have an ownership that consistently traded off draft picks and made bad draft choices. And most of all, we have an ownership that pretty much refused to spend into the Luxury Tax. The fact that they did last year for a scrub center, speaks volumes about their incompetence. The team was supposedly so mentally unstable, that Jerry Stackhouse was basically paid to be a consultant on the bench.
Meanwhile, here’s what the Hawks traded
- 2010: Their 1st round pick ( Jordan Crawford ) and sold the #31 ( 2nd round pick ) that they acquired in that trade
- 2011: Traded their #19 pick to Washington for Kirk Hinrich
That’s 3 top 31 draft picks that possibly could’ve helped this team in the future, or at the very least been a part of a package to bring in a more significant player. And we all know that the #19 pick could’ve been superstar sleeper pick Kenneth Faried.
People still don’t want to admit that the Hawks were offensively out of balance because of one player who refuses to play to his strengths on offense.
The Hawks simply could’ve chosen to swap out pieces of the Core for players close or above their caliber.
Instead, they did what people in their fan base wanted them to do . . get rid of JJ and Marvin, because those were the two most hated Hawks on the team.
People got what they wanted, so now we either have to pray that a top notch guy wants to come to ATL, or hope the remaining “core” guys blossom into legit All-Star or superstar status.