Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry and Mark Cuban seek similar paths
Each time Hawks GM Danny Ferry does an interview, the recurring theme is how he’s being “opportunistic.”
As in, after trading Joe Johnson and clearing the books after 2011-12, the Hawks now have the flexibility to take advantage of pretty much any opportunity that comes along.
That’s true, but now what?
The Hawks already missed out on one opportunity when Dwight Howard was sent to the Lakers before Ferry could even measure Dwight’s feelings about returning home. Next summer Ferry probably will get another crack at Howard (though the Lakers will own Howard’s Bird rights) and any of the other star free agents set to hit the market.
Financial flexibility is good, and there will be other opportunities, but how to turn that potential into a superstar player(s) that is (are) essential to competing for championships?
“Read an article about what Mark Cuban is doing,” Ferry said.
Cuban struck out with his plan of clearing cap space to acquire star players last summer. He’s since resisted the urge to double down on payroll because he believes that, eventually, teams with financial flexibility will benefit from specific CBA rules that kick in starting in 2013-14.
“I just think there’s a different approach,” Cuban told CBSSports.com. “You see what’s happening with teams that are up against the financial limits and it’s impacting their behavior. But we haven’t seen what’s going to happen with the trade limitations and things like that — not being able to do sign-and-trades, all that kind of stuff.”
The more punitive tax rate is just one aspect of the rules meant to curtail the big spenders. The rules also stipulate that teams with payrolls more than $4 million above the tax line can’t execute sign-and-trades, can acquire less salary in trades than non-taxpaying teams, and have a smaller mid-level exception and no bi-annual exception.
Cuban is betting those rules will lead to high-payroll teams being unable to acquire superstars, leaving those with cap space in a stronger position to make deals for those players. Ferry is predicting the same.
“It’s the same path,” Ferry said. “We don’t have [Dirk] Nowitzki but we have more assets. We have good players. [The Mavs] are piecing things together to keep flexibility to stay competitive. On some level, we are in a similar mode as what Dallas is doing.
“With Josh [Smith] and Jeff [Teague] and Al [Horford] and flexibility around it and draft choices ahead. I think we are positioned well to be opportunistic whether that’s trade [or] whether that’s free agency in the future. It’s not an exact path. It’s about having a situation where you can be opportunistic.”
There are reasons to believe the Hawks are in a better position than Dallas. The 2012-13 Hawks, on paper at least, are comparable to the 2012-13 Mavericks. Smith and Horford may be more attractive trade targets now than Nowitzki is 34-years old and owed nearly $44 million over the next two years. The Hawks also have multiple draft picks.
The counter to those arguments is that the Mavs under Cuban have a much better organizational reputation than the Hawks. That means that, theoretically, they have a better chance of landing superstar free agents or keeping them for the long term after trading for them.
Now that Ferry has gained the flexibility he coveted, the next step is trying to make the Hawks the kind of franchise where the best players want to work.
“I’m trying to build well from the inside out,” Ferry said. “We need to build an organizational pride from within. We are not hinging our program on cap space or anything like that. We are hinging it on building a good program and having flexibility to make a trade or do free agency or do whatever.
“To get centric on cap space, [focusing on] would a free agent come here, that’s not what we are doing right now. That’s not the mode we are in right now. We are in a mode of, ‘Let’s build on an organizational pride and build an even better run machine as an organization.’
“From there, pride will grow and I think the opportunities that are out there, we are in a good position to be in the game, whether that’s a trade or a free agent or whatever that is.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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118 comments Add your comment
hawksfancents95
August 15th, 2012
4:49 pm
thank you ken s and sautee for responding(no sarcasm, i enjoy discussion)
I didnt use exact stats as i didnt feel like digging in the archives i thought i said “like 12 and 9″ but i see i didnt, sorry, not trying to distort to appease my view. Im just saying I dont see AL as being more than what he is now which I think is a 4th option guy at best. He is good and yes he was all-nba and a 2x all-star but i think that was because the east/nba had a lack of centers and AL is a great guy and plays hard and coaches/media respect that as opposed to josh complaining at times and coaches dont like his attitude.
Like I said AL is a great player but I dont want to spotlight him as our top 3 player for purposes of, I dont think we can win a championship with AL and Josh on our team and I personally think josh is waaay better than AL is both offensively and defensively so i’d like to trade AL and have room for maybe cp3 and dwight or some combination of other great players.
Sautee, as for your list id take all of those guys with the exception of bogut(just cuz of injuries) because they are all legit centers that cause bad shots in the lane and are 7foot plus(noah big 6′11) and AL is a tweener that cant protect the rim. for those stats you showed yes, they are comparable but those stats do not show forced bad shots which is a huge asset.
Sautee
August 15th, 2012
6:45 pm
“Sautee, as for your list id take all of those guys with the exception of bogut(just cuz of injuries) because they are all legit centers that cause bad shots in the lane and are 7foot plus(noah big 6′11) and AL is a tweener that cant protect the rim. for those stats you showed yes, they are comparable but those stats do not show forced bad shots which is a huge asset.” – hawksfancents95
I agree that he blocks fewer shots than many, but how many of those on the list are able to draw the opposing center out of the lane on offense? That is a subtle thing that helps open up the lane for slashing. And remember that in his last full season, he was 2nd in the entire league in FG% from 15-23 ft.
Tell me who you think you can get for $12M that will give you more than 15.3 and 9.3? I don’t see that center out there for the taking.
Ken Strickland
August 15th, 2012
7:48 pm
A few yrs back, the Denver Nuggets had the NBAs leading rebounder, shotblocker, and DEF player of the yr in Marcus Camby. They traded Camby and replaced him with his backup, Nene, who’s nowhere near Camby’s class as a shotblocker, and they actually improved defensively. Blocking shots isn’t all there is to playing good DEF.
After Dallas won the NBA title, everyone was all up in the air about us acquiring TChandler, because it was believed he was so good at protecting the rim. Just compare his shotblocking numbers that yr against Horford’s and see what you come up with.
Ken Strickland
August 15th, 2012
7:52 pm
When Horford was selected to the NBAs 3rd string All NBA team, it was an endorsement by the coaches, writers and his peers that he was the NBAs 3rd best center. How can anyone call the NBAs 3rd highest rated center a GLORIFIED BACKUP? If the 3rd highest rated center is a GLORIFIED BACKUP
Ken Strickland
August 15th, 2012
7:55 pm
, wouldn’t that say that all of the remaining centers, except the 2 that were rated above him, are less than GLORIFIED BACKUPS.?
Ken Strickland
August 15th, 2012
8:22 pm
“Gasol and All NBA = layup line”. What that statement indicates is a very limited understanding of the gm of basketball. In other words, a low basketball IQ. Anyone with any basketball intelligence knows that the center isn’t responsible for OFF players consistently being able to get into the lane and attack the rim. That’s usually the result of very poor perimeter DEF, period.
It’s become very obvious that the one’s complaining the loudest and the most about Horford’s abilities and production are really reflecting their own limitations in the areas of comprehension, understanding and the utilization of plain old common sense.
abe lincoln
August 15th, 2012
10:15 pm
Ken strickland you should get some books on the game of basket ball, maybe play the game a time or two.
I dont mean to offend you are insult you, but you remind me of what I use to say not knowing the game but was trying to seem intelligent.
The center and powerforward have to protect the rim. At the rim is the high percentage shot in the game. All most all guards are fast and slick and get free on picks, how ever they arent the only ones getting to the basket, every body goes to the basket if you cant protect it. Who ever wrote the statement you are referencing is right. You owe that person an apology.
abe lincoln
August 15th, 2012
10:18 pm
But I do agree with you Ken about Al horfords limitations and weakness, Zaza and Ivan Johnson did such a good job replacing him last year.
Horford Just doesnt get it. Maybe one day, Hes still sorta young, but right now he just doesnt get it.
abe lincoln
August 15th, 2012
10:20 pm
I agree that one year Al score 15pt per game. That was good for him but most of the time he scores about 12 pts, when he isnt injured.
Hes hurting the team more than helping it.
Ken Strickland
August 15th, 2012
11:51 pm
ABE LINCOLN-The NBA players, coaches and writers that selected Horford to 2 Allstar gms and 1 All NBA selection in 4yrs, which you’re obviously disagreeing with, say you’re the one that doesn’t get it. With all due respect to you, I’ll hang my hat on their assessment of Horford rather than the obviously biased and uninformed observations of some anonymous fan(s).
Also, how is he hurting the team when he’s improved each yr, become one of the NBAs most consistent double double players, and performed at an Allstar and All NBA level each full season he’s played after his rookie yr? It certainly appears that reality isn’t one of your strong suits.
hawksfancents95
August 16th, 2012
9:57 am
Sautee and Ken S, I will post here but if y’all dont get a chance to respond I will re-post in the newer blog.
Sautee- your question of who I can get for 15 and 9 thats better than AL. No one, The only true centers that can put up better numbers are dwight and bynum(the best C’s in the league). But I dont care how many points my C scores I want him to deter the most points. AL does not deter points, but for salary purposes I would trade AL for Javale Mcgee, think about it. AL 6′10 with 7′ wingspan and standing reach of 8′11 and javale is 7′ with 7′7 wingspan and standing reach of 9′7. It is nice to have AL space the floor but if my C can negatively effect the other teams ability to score in the paint i’d rather have him. Javale has the ability to still grow and already has the most impressive measurements in the NBA. I dont base everything on measurements but just standing javale can almost grab the rim, that affects his ability to challenge shots easily(even if he doesnt block them) get rebounds and even on a second jump he could get up quicker and higher thn dwight howard.To sum up my opinion on Centers i want height and length and the ability to alter shots in the paint, i want to protect the paint at all costs. I want my Center to score on second chance rebounding and basically anywhere in the paint, if he has a nice 15footer then thats al the better.
Ken S
I enjoy your enthusiasm for AL as I share that for Josh Smith. Im not an AL “basher” Im just stating that MY ultimate goal is to win an NBA finals here in ATL and I dont think having two 6′9 post players is going to get that done so I would rather see AL go as opposed to Josh as I think GM DF will get rid of one or the other based on this upcoming season. As for my Glorified role player statement I think I struck a cord, I see AL as a nice complementery player but to feature him on an finals team is not going to happen. Its the fourth quarter in the playoffs and you need to score, 1 on 1, I dont think AL can do that but I think Josh could. Its not all about 1 on 1 play but in the playoffs I dont think AL’s pick and pop game is there as often as it is during the regular season. Last year we had the same season as the previous 4 years and AL didnt even play, thats a big reason why I think AL is tradeable. We desperatley need offense and AL is lacking in that department. I want to see my lineup of
Teague/Lou/Josh/AL/ZaZa so I can see what AL can do at the PF spot and maybe he will thrive and I will be extremley happy for him because I am a HAWKS fan first and if we win I dont care who is on our team.
O'Brien
August 16th, 2012
10:01 am
doc,
The milk dud (Cabrera) was terrible when he was with the Braves. He goes out to SF, and was awesome for them. Now we know why. He tested positive for an illegal substance, and was suspended 50 games by MLB.
O'Brien
August 16th, 2012
10:02 am
New blog up by the way
Ken Strickland
August 16th, 2012
11:48 am
HAWKSFANSINCE95-Having 2 6′ 9″ post players didn’t stop the Miami Heat from winning the NBA championship by defeating the much bigger frontline of the Thunder. Stop focusing on my enthusiasm and start paying attention to the common sense facts and examples I’ve been presenting. You’re trying to justify your unjustifiable opinions and stance on Horford’s talents and contribution to the success of the Hawks.
The reason you can’t find another center besides Howard and Bynum is the very reason Horford was voted to the All NBA 3rd team, which means he’s considered the NBAs 3rd best center. How in the devil does that equate to being a GLORIFIED BACKUP? You might not consider yourself a HORFORD BASHER, but you’re starting to become one. And you’re using some of the same lame, unjustifiable and unsubstantiated excuses as the others.
OBRIEN-The new blog is being bombarded with nothing but racism and politics, with very little basketball.
Future NBA Champions
August 17th, 2012
12:24 am
GO HAWKS! Hawks til I die! Fair-weather fans can GTFO
The Truth
August 17th, 2012
12:47 pm
Based on an article which the “blog-master” don’t like:
Hawks hoping to acquire a “coveted” SF via trade doesn’t look so good:
The demand for a SF among NBA teams accordingly is down to 4 teams:
Atlanta
Boston
Cleveland
New Orleans
Based on the Hawks abundance of SGs, expectations would be they find a trading partner (in need of a SG) and trade one of their SG talents (presumably expiring Anthony Morrow) for a SF.
So what NBA team needs a SG? According to the article just 2 teams:
Denver
Milwaukee
The problem here is that Denver has no SF expiring and just traded their tradable chip Al Harrington to Orlando. They also beat out the Hawks in acquiring SF Anthony Randolph. That leaves only the Bucks as a likely trading partner. From this scenario, the likely SF player from the Bucks would be Mike Dunleavy whose contract is expiring.
In this trade scenario the stat numbers and salaries are comparable but the Hawks would be trading a 26 yr old player for a 31 yr old player. It would seem from this trade that the advantage would go to the Bucks unless the Hawks are compensated somehow perhaps with a 2nd rd pick. Unless it’s a “good” 2nd rd pick, I’m not fond of this option but it maybe the only option left from a trade perspective.
This may explain why Danny is in no hurry in acquiring a SF from this trade picture. I’m also not sure NBA teams around the league would be shaking (in fear) at the thought of their SFs being guarded by Mike Dunleavy who Hoopshype describe him as:
“A little bit too slow… Pretty soft… Gets overpowered”
But since he went to Duke, Danny might bite anyway
Wink
August 18th, 2012
11:30 am
Danny Ferry has complied a team very similar to our Olympic Gold Medal team. Our offense should look about the same, with the exception being the talent level. It will be bombs away from the perimeter and should be pressure the ball on defense. Get opponents in late shot clock, making the rebound a 50 / 50 proposition and run back on offense if we secure the rebound….it was good enough for a Gold Medal!
As we saw the US team had a problem with height (Gasol Brothers, Spain) and agressive play (Argentina). We can expect the same if the roster stays as currently constructed.
Me
August 19th, 2012
1:04 pm
hawksfansince95′ You would trade Al Horford for Javale McGee? Really. Wait….Really? Please tell me this was just a joke. You would trade a very high basketball IQ for a player who’s only asset is his ability to jump. Javale has no passing skills, no shooting skills, isn’t a defensive stopper by any means and would have to study for hours to distinguish an egg from a golf ball. Trade Al Horford for Javale McGee? Really?….Wait…..Really?