Thumbs up or down: Josh Childress a Hawk again?
Josh Childress could fly back to the NBA this summer.
The Hawks still entertain hopes of making it a competitive series against Orlando. A significant percentage of Atlanta — at least according to my unscientific sampling of emails, blogs, comments and sports talk — seems focused on something else: change.
Given that, here’s one name to keep in mind: Josh Childress. He is still playing in Greece and his NBA rights are still owned by the Hawks. Childress wouldn’t solve the team’s deficiencies at point guard or center. But he’s another potential body in the mix as general manager Rick Sund considers trade (or sign-and-trade) possibilities this summer.
The only reason I’m bringing this up now is a Washington Post reporter caught up with Childress in Paris at the EuroLeague Final Four. There wasn’t a lot new in today’s article but Childress reminded us that he has until July 15 to opt out of the final season of his three-year, tax-free, $20 million contract.
A few excerpts:
♦ When asked to compare the EuroLeague playoffs to the NBA playoffs with the Hawks: “I don’t know. In Atlanta, we never got out of the first round.”
♦ On criticism that followed when his statistics didn’t meet expectations of fans, given his inflated salary: “It was tough, real tough. When you play for one of the top teams over here, there’s no such thing as flying under the radar. You’re nitpicked on everything, and there were a lot of expectations about me. … I had to learn to be thick-skinned.”
♦ Greek journalists interviewed were “virtually unanimous” that Childress would return to the NBA next season, according to the Post, but his only comments were: “”I’ll decide by July 15. But right now, I have a lot to accomplish still — this tournament, and then the rest of the season in the Greek league. … It’s been an excellent two years. It’s been a growing experience, yes, but I never saw this as a temporary fix. I thought of it as a three-year deal, and it could very well end that way.”
So, do you see Childress playing for the Hawks again, or as a valuable piece in a trade?
♦
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Earlier posts
♦ Mike Smith demanding more from Falcons in year three
♦ A.J. Green ranked No. 4 in draft (and Bama’s loaded again)
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136 comments Add your comment
Hawksrdonefornow
May 7th, 2010
1:22 pm
If Joe Johnson leaves for the Bulls (which might be a blessing for the Hawks), then they should re-sign Jamal Crawford to be the starting shooter and bring back Childress to be the sixth man. That line up would probably be more productive than their current roster.
Tech75
May 7th, 2010
1:27 pm
Would somebody tell me what Marvin Williams has done for us lately?
D Hawks
May 7th, 2010
1:28 pm
Childress should not be re-signed. That ship has sailed. A trade to another team is a better option to spending money on a guy that won’t solve either of the two biggest deficiencies with the team: Center and PG. Would he have us any closer to beating Orlando?
DR EVIL
May 7th, 2010
1:29 pm
Riiiight…for ONE MILLION DOLLARS!
JoJo the Godfather
May 7th, 2010
1:31 pm
1) Sign-and-trade Childress to Nets for Yi Jianlian.
2) Let Joe & Woody walk.
3) Trade Crawford, Bibby, Marvin, 2010 2nd Rd Pick & 2011 1st Rd Pick to NO for Okafor, Peja, Collison and 2010 1st Rd Pick. This saves NO $5 million plus cost of draft pick, plus they move Okafor’s contract and have Crawford expiring at the end of the season.
4) Trade Josh Smith & 2010 1st Rd Pick to Sac for Hawes, Nocioni & 2010 1st Rd Pick. This saves the Hawks $3 million and gives them a top 10 pick although not likely top 2. Sac does this because if they miss on Wall & Turner the next options are bigs which Josh is better than, and they also clear Nocioni’s contract.
5) Sign Mike Miller with MLE.
6) Draft best players available with two top 15 draft picks.
Teague / Collison
Miller / (Draft Pick???)
Peja / Nocioni / (Draft Pick???)
Horford / Yi
Okafor / Hawes / Pachulia
2 young PG’s.
At least 3 wings that can shoot.
5 guys 6′10″ and over with different skill sets.
2 high draft picks.
Peja’s $15 million expiring deal to give raises to Horford, Yi and/or Hawes next year.
bob dylan
May 7th, 2010
1:37 pm
Enter your comments here
gtbob45
May 7th, 2010
1:39 pm
HELL NO JOSH MUST GO!!!!! Oh wait he already left us have your self an chicken gyro Josh!!
bob dylan
May 7th, 2010
1:39 pm
Jojo-that scenario is equal to a bag of smashed up butt holes
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SWAT Native
May 7th, 2010
1:49 pm
I agree with what Astro Joe said. Real contending teams love players like Chilly. I think that the Hawks would have had a different playoffs with him. I just don’t see why he would give up the money he’s making to come back when he’s still got another year under contract. Maybe after next season.
Old devil
May 7th, 2010
1:50 pm
I’d welcome him with open arms if he’s fixed that funky looking jump shot!
Dr. Warren
May 7th, 2010
1:50 pm
Jeff– Hubie is already 77. That’s too old. Big difference between 70 and 77.
coachx
May 7th, 2010
1:51 pm
If JJ leaves in free agency then Childress is not consolation prize.
In a sign and trade the Hawks may net D. Lee / Chandler from the Knicks or maybe Hinrich /pick #17 from the Bulls. Maybe we could hope for Kaman from the Clippers.
Then plug in Chillz at SG and keep Crawford as 6th man.
SavFan
May 7th, 2010
1:54 pm
Nickz you are 100% right. Joe is playing playground one on one and also Marvin is a disappointment. Josh Childress had a better game than Marvin. Sund needs to look in the mirror and ask why he did not pursue
a decent big man for the center. Talk to D. Howard’s parents and let them know the ATL needs him home.
Section 303
May 7th, 2010
1:58 pm
I would be surprised if Childress ever plays for the Hawks again. When he left for Greece, there were certainly some hard feelings. It does not seem like things have been patched up, either.
I bet, if those writers are correct and Childress comes back to the NBA, it will be via trade. He might bring in a decent player, considering how highly rated he is over in Europe this year.
Mrs. Howard
May 7th, 2010
1:59 pm
Dwight, Please ask for a trade to the Hawks because your city needs you to get to the next level and I miss having you home for Sunday dinner. Momma needs you son. Alright Sund it’s up to you and the Hawks.
Section 303
May 7th, 2010
2:00 pm
I hate the dream trades that people post on here. I know it is all in fun, but none of these trades have a chance of happening. I love the one above that basically has us trading the whole team to NJ…c’mon..
DHD
May 7th, 2010
2:04 pm
Only if we can deal Marvin, Teague and a first pick for Amare Stoudemire. Let Johnson go and sign Wade.
Wade
Crawford
Smith
Horford
Stoudamire
icalhoun
May 7th, 2010
2:05 pm
can we sign and trade Joe for Salmons and Scott Skiles?
FMX
May 7th, 2010
2:07 pm
People the problem is not our players its our coach. I have seen every game this year and over the past 5-6 seasons. We have talent. You guys talk about Marvins Williams being the problem and I I wonder what games are you guys watching. He isn’t involved in the offense, the coach had him standing in the same spot the entire time. Marvin Williams is the best defensive player on this team. I think that you guys look at the box score and make assumptions. He goes to another team and what what happens. Maybe he needs to be more vocal about not getting involved in the offense. He gets to the line more than anyone on the team. Our talent is simply not being used properly. Everyone in the starting lineup can’t average 20 ppg.
We need a new coach. I think that that should be done before the roster is touched.
FMX
May 7th, 2010
2:11 pm
Hell I say if JJ leaves let’s run with
Crawford
Childress
Marvin
Smoove
Horf
We can out run any team in the league with the ability to play defense. We would have the most exciting team in the league!!!
Mike
May 7th, 2010
2:12 pm
Deal Joe and get a big man. I mean a BIG man!
Balderdash
May 7th, 2010
2:13 pm
He’s about three times better than Marvin Williams, so yeah, bring him back.
The Truth Hurts
May 7th, 2010
2:15 pm
Nice thing about Woody is that you don’t even have to fire him.
Follow the guidance of the “Bobs” in Office Space.
When his contract expires, just stop paying him. He’ll eventually figure out that he doesn’t have a job anymore, and he’ll just stop showing up.
Ancient Mariner
May 7th, 2010
2:15 pm
“Everyone in the starting lineup can’t average 20 ppg.”
No, but someone picked in that spot should be an impact player. He’s really not. He’s just a guy.
fayncdawg
May 7th, 2010
2:17 pm
The real question is this: if all four Hawk losses in this series (esp. if the series goes 4 or 5 games) are by double figures, do you bring JJ and Woody back? HAVE ANY OF THE HAWK ROAD LOSSES IN THE PLAYOFFS EVEN BEEN CLOSE? I wish Chill could help us but he ain’t a 1 or a 5 and is not a high-scoring wing.
Peter Gibbons
May 7th, 2010
2:17 pm
The hole in your theory is that Milton Waddams never stopped showing up.
German accent
May 7th, 2010
2:19 pm
icalhoun has the best idea. Salmons is about as good as Joe and Skiles is a ton better than Woody.
S Hawk Fan
May 7th, 2010
2:21 pm
FMX…. agree agree!!!!!!
ryan
May 7th, 2010
2:21 pm
I guess with Greece going Bankrupt i would not blame Josh Childress for coming back the Creek basketball team probaley can’t pay him.
shawn
May 7th, 2010
2:22 pm
We not need Josh..he can stay in Greece as far as I am concerned. Joe J. needs to step it up and play better. Last two years, he has not met expectations in palyoff and I am not sure if he is worth maximum salary comes next year. Overal, this is a good taeam with J smooth and Al Horford but need to coached better and oh yeah, their best player (artist formally known as Joe J.) needs to play better.
Dr. Warren
May 7th, 2010
2:24 pm
The Hawks have no cap space for any of the big-name free agents this year. They may keep JJ, but what will that do other than maintain the status quo. Sure, they could use a new head coach, but they still won’t make it beyond the 2nd round next year either. The Hawks will never make it to the Final Four until after another rebuilding stage and a great lucky superstar draft choice—could be 20+ years till that happens.
Luv 2 Hate Me
May 7th, 2010
2:26 pm
First – There are some folks that would like Crawford starting. If you follow basketball and now the game then you would know Crawford is better off the bench then starting percentage wise. I would like the Hawks to get Wade but they just don’t have the funds to make it happen. Instead go after Shannon Brown (Lakers) and Chris Bosh. Chill and stay in Europe!
Luv 2 Hate Me
May 7th, 2010
2:26 pm
First – There are some folks that would like Crawford starting. If you follow basketball and now the game then you would know Crawford is better off the bench then starting percentage wise. I would like the Hawks to get Wade but they just don’t have the funds to make it happen. Instead go after Shannon Brown (Lakers) and Chris Bosh. Chill can stay in Europe!
LAMAR
May 7th, 2010
2:27 pm
Boston Celtics would be interested.Hawks management needs to checkout about the possibility.
jomo
May 7th, 2010
2:31 pm
Chills could be a good addition. He can score, rebound, play defense and is fundamentally sound. He’s much better than Marvin, who should either come off the bench or be traded. Joe has to learn to give up the ball more, especially down the stretch when he’s double and triple-teamed. He kills too much of the clock, which isn’t necessary because he’s got others who can score, too. But, more importantly, the Hawks need a big body to oppose Dwight. Al is a tough competitor but he needs to be moved to the 4 with Josh taking over the 3 spot. Jeff Teague should be given the chance to run the point, as well as Jamal. Mike has become a liability because of his defense. He should be coming off the bench if kept.
cp
May 7th, 2010
2:31 pm
Josh Childress>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Marvin Duck Williams…. Yes you bring Chillz back. He should still be on the team anyway. The gm undervalued him and overvalued Duck Williams…. Bring Chillz back and send Marvin packing,.
Delbert D.
May 7th, 2010
2:31 pm
From his own comments, it sounds like he’s under performing in Greece.
Matt the Brave
May 7th, 2010
2:39 pm
So, basically from what I was reading from your comments Schultzie, it depends on if Mike Woodson’s the head coach?
Marcus
May 7th, 2010
2:40 pm
@SWAT Native (1:49 pm response)
Recent unrest in Greece due to that country taking out loans from IMF and instituting drastic budgetary constraints, all in an effort to keep the euro affloat, stablilize their own economy and not take other European countries down with them. he already made mention of seeing police/military on the sidelines at their games, strapped like Rambo. It can only get worse if the Grecian economy is circling the toilet boil.
Doesn’t take a French Revolution scholar to figure out that a highly-paid, high-profile, foreign b-ball player might come under “fiyah” in that climate. Word to Chills (lesson learned from Marie Antoinette): Don’t mention the word “cake”.
if I were him, I would welcome a Delta flight back to the States, even if I had to pay for checking my bags.
FMX
May 7th, 2010
2:54 pm
Are you guys stupid. There is no way Smoove can play SF. Again I ask what basketball games are you guys watching. I am a hardcore Hawks fan not like many of you who only tune in when we play the Lakers or the Cavaliers.
I say again let someone get the reigns first and then you talk about shaking the roster up. Woody can’t coach and I was hoping that he lost the Celtics series so his butt would have been fired then!!
clay
May 7th, 2010
2:57 pm
i dont care what you do but trade whoever you have to and get chris paul and then draft that center out of fla state that is 7′1 projected to go top 20 in this years draft. let joe and woody walk and bring in doc rivers to coach.
Veteran Fan
May 7th, 2010
3:11 pm
Sign him and trade whatever ( Marvin, Childress, Smith, Zaza etc…) you need to to get Hayward from Butler in the draft! Go out and get a center and point guard through free-agency and allow Coach Woodson to move to the Bulls! Line up Bosh at center, Horford at PF, Smith or Hayward at SF, Crawford at SG, and Wade at PG. Childress off bench. Good D and offense at all 5 positions. Get a banger to back up Bosh and Horford or keep Zaza and keep Teague to learn from Wade and Crawford. Find a European shooter to spell Crawford and you have one hell of a team. Horford and Smith are interchangeable and you can expect 20 a night from all 5 positions. Expensive lineup but Phillips would be sold out for at least three to five seasons if not forever!!! Good chemistry too as all are unselfish players. Would challenge Orlando for dominance in the East and if they played a little D could win two or three championships! Last ingredient, a YOUNG coach who can relate to these guys like Brooks does at OKC(Avery Johnson or Doc Rivers, or Vinny from Chicago)!
d_costa
May 7th, 2010
3:13 pm
If he can play Dwight Howard then no doubt!
Bernard
May 7th, 2010
3:19 pm
The Hawks should let JJ walk and try hard to get Dwayne Wade. He is not happy in Miami with their squad. If you dangle what the Hawks have now compared to what Miami has, it gives Dwayne a better chance of winning another championship. We need to get rid of Woody, Woody has done a nice job to get the team to this point, but he cannot take this team to the next level.
I know he has improved this team each year, but with this much talent, we should not be getting blowed out or look as unprepared as we do. If we keep Woody, he should be made to bring in a coach that coaches the offense and call plays.
Here is a coach’s name we should go after..his name is Nate McMillan. He has been able to get the most out of a young Portland team. I know he loves the Pacific NW, but he would make the Hawks instantly tougher.
mike
May 7th, 2010
3:28 pm
D wade is not leaving miami he already has his championship. he is only playing for money at this point.. he has already expressed that he loves the beach and he loves miami… he’s just gonna use Free agency as a tool to get more $ from miami.. he isn’t leaving
3Klub
May 7th, 2010
3:36 pm
Jeff, I love Childress and would like to see him back, BUT if he can be traded what are the parameters of A) him being traded with his current NBA contract or B) sign and trade.
What type of #’s are we talking about as far as compensation we could expect in return?
jakenjboro
May 7th, 2010
3:39 pm
Overated!!!!
Jeff Schultz
May 7th, 2010
3:57 pm
S.Hawk Fan — Since I’m not an owner, unfortunately I can’t tell you what they’re thinking. But if you want to read something into Michael Gearon’s quote from the other day (”We have high expectations”), then have at it.
EP
May 7th, 2010
3:57 pm
How about Doc Rivers returning to Atlanta since he is getting tired of Boston?