Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?)
Are these the three players who will lead the Hawks again next season -- and is that your first choice? (Courtesy of Slam Magazine)
After consecutive years of first-round wins but second-round humiliations, the Hawks are in a precarious situation. They are mandating improvement at a time when their best — albeit sometimes unpopular — player, Joe Johnson, is entering free agency and owners have a death grip on their wallets.
The draft is Thursday. It’s safe to assume that the Hawks’ chances of taking the next step do not hinge on the 24th selection. It depends on almost everything else: Johnson’s re-signing; the front-office scramble if he leaves; the potential return or trade of expatriate, Josh Childress; any potential trade involving almost anybody else (save Al Horford, who might as well stick his feet in concrete because he’s not going anywhere).
As summers go, this one ranks up there in importance with any in Hawks’ history. If they take a step back, they potentially lose some of the goodwill they’ve built up. Even if they remain flat, there will be cries to blow it up again.
The team has made one move this off-season and it didn’t exactly jump start a season ticket campaign: Larry Drew’s promotion to head coach. Whether you believe that criticism was justified or not, it’s undeniable. How do the Hawks combat that? Or do they bother?
This is where general manager Rick Sund attempts to add perspective: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an off-season where people didn’t say this was an important year — and most years the media says, ‘It’s the most important year.’ I think every year is important. Last year was important. The year before that was important – you had Josh Smith and Josh Childress as free agents and they had just made the playoffs for the first time.”
Point taken. Here’s the counter-argument: Higher expectations bring greater demands. Sund set the bar himself when he decided to change head coaches.
Last summer, after the step up with the playoff series win over Miami, Sund re-signed three of the team’s free agents: Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia. It seemed big then. Doesn’t seem as big now. Bibby’s nose dive this past season didn’t help. Neither did another year of seeming underachievement by Williams. (The biggest move easily turned out to be the acquisition of Jamal Crawford.)
Sund will tell you draft plans are not impacted by Johnson’s impending free agency because, logically, the 24th pick won’t be on that level. Besides, nobody is sure where Johnson starts — possibly not even he. The Hawks can offer one more season (six years) on a contract than other bidders. But there’s also a sense Johnson might be fed up with fan and media criticism and prefers to start fresh elsewhere.
OK, so the Hawks trade for Chris Paul, sign LeBron James and then . . . never mind, dream over.
Even if the Hawks re-sign Johnson, they have to figure out how to re-market the All-Star, given the damage he caused with pedestrian playoff performances and comments during the Orlando series. But they’ll worry about that later.
This could be a chance for Sund to remake the team, but he doesn’t have any desire to do so. The problem: if Johnson bolts, he’ll need more than Spackle.
Here’s one idea: Chris Paul.
The throw-it-against-the-wall rumor quotient in the NBA is higher than ever. In addition to the free agency class, there have been several reports that Paul, arguably the best point guard in the league when healthy, has been put on the trading block by New Orleans. The Hornets deny this. But what a way for the Hawks to make up for one of their biggest draft miscues in history.
Here’s a dream scenario: The Hawks deal Smith for Paul, re-sign Johnson and then convince LeBron James to follow Paul, his close friend, to Atlanta. Then the starting line up looks like this: Chris Paul, Joe Johnson, LeBron James, Al Horford and Some Guy Off The Street. Sweet! Wait until that goes viral on the Internet!
Sund is low-keying it for now.
“I like our team,” he said.
And this: “I don’t talk about hypotheticals.”
But don’t believe he hasn’t thought about them. This off-season is too important not to.
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143 comments Add your comment
Sid
June 22nd, 2010
3:30 pm
It doesn’t matter, the Hawks brass don’t want a championship bad enough.
HMMM..
June 22nd, 2010
3:32 pm
sign and trade Johnson for Chris Paul maybe? throw Bibby in?
@wbarker
June 22nd, 2010
3:37 pm
I think we’d have to get our own Russian billionaire owner before that dream scenario happened. Until then, that Hawks team will only exist in the world of my Xbox360.
@wbarker
June 22nd, 2010
3:39 pm
Agree with the sign and trade Joe for Paul. That was my first reaction when I heard of the Paul trade rumors. If we then got a center, would that allow for Horford, Williams, and Smith to all be on the floor at the same time?
Marcus
June 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
Never happen. C. Paul might be an option if we traded J-Smoove and threw in the rights to J-Chill ….. but we don’t have the cap room for Lebron,. Plus CLE, just like us, can offer the max (aka kings ransom) for their own FA.
then we still have to develop Marvin Williams or draft a servicable rookie SF, then we also have a gap at the 4.
I know you are just joshing ………
Dr. Warren
June 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
At least our writers have some imagination. That’s more than the ASG can say about itself. If Jeff’s idea could actually work, I say throw in Marvin, the draft pick, and Bibby with Josh Smith. Hell, toss in Larry Drew, as well. With Lebron and Chris Paul and JJ playing together, Schultz and Bradley could tag-team as head coach, and we’d still win 60.
Paddy
June 22nd, 2010
3:47 pm
Jeff, don’t go so fast. Did you say Labron in ATL. ASG must have signed up 4 or 5 of those minority owners they have been talking about last night while I was sleeping. When the dust settles the Hawks will blow it up and start over. Either here or some other town with new ownership. No money and no fans. Tough pair to draw to!
Count von Count
June 22nd, 2010
3:49 pm
I am missing the Countdown today – Tuesday!
Walker, Texas Ranger
June 22nd, 2010
3:51 pm
The Hawks have to re-sign Johnson. They aren’t gong to get anyone else and then swing a trade for a legit point. Our only hope is that Marvin finally plays up to his potential and Josh becomes a little more consistant. Otherwise, it will have to be blown up. This team was doomed to be mediocre the day we passed on Chris Paul.
Tweets that mention http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/06/22/as-free-agency-looms-hawks-cant-afford-to-slide-back/?cxntfid=blogs_jeff_schultz_blog%3Futm_source%3Dpingback -- Topsy.com
June 22nd, 2010
3:56 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by . said: [...]
JC
June 22nd, 2010
3:59 pm
I appreciate Sund’s every-offseason-is-big ploy, but isn’t an offseason where your franchise player is testing the free agency market a little bit bigger than most? Especially when you can’t say with confidence that he’ll decide to stay?
JC
June 22nd, 2010
4:04 pm
Also, isn’t Chris Paul kind of like the nerdy girl who liked you but you overlooked in middle school in favor for the girl who developed early, only to see her turn into a complete knockout in high school while the middle school girl gets knocked up and drops out?
ryan
June 22nd, 2010
4:16 pm
Yea Josh Smith and J Chill are the Hawks biggest trade nuggets they can get this done if they package in a draft pick as well.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
4:19 pm
Hmmm — Could be but I’m not sure Joe would be party to a sign and trade for Paul. He’d have no reason to go to NO if Paul’s not there.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
4:19 pm
@wbarker — Where’s another Russian billionaire when you need one?
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
4:21 pm
Dr. Warren — I’m not tag-teaming with anybody. If I’m coaching, I’m calling the shots. Bradley can assist. And I’m sure as hell not talking to the media. Vermin.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
Paddy — Great. 5 more minority owners. More fighting over the courtside seats.
LETS GO ATL
June 22nd, 2010
4:23 pm
sign and trade joe and teague for CP3
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
4:23 pm
Count von Count — Sorry, I’m going on vacation at end of the week and The Count thought it was last week. He’s in Maui. I’ll scold him when he returns.
b.jones
June 22nd, 2010
4:24 pm
somebody saw my last blog cp3 and a resigned joe with all is the perfect core Jeff Schultz please tell me this is possiable
Daniel
June 22nd, 2010
4:25 pm
Do you even know what the salary cap is? Plus NO won’t trade Paul.
Here’s a hypothetical that would work though. Josh Smith for Al Jefferson. We get a center who is a legitimate post threat and can move Al over to his natural power forward spot. The contracts are basically the same. Plus the Wolves have been legitimately shopping Jefferson. Additionally should Joe not sign with the Hawks, we can run the offense through Jefferson and not have a huge offensive drop off.
Can I write your column now?
LC
June 22nd, 2010
4:34 pm
Daniel,
At least your scenario is actually plausible. However, I still don’t like it. Jefferson is injury prone and would give us another undersized big alongside Horford. Don’t really see how that solves much of anything. I credit you for actually pulling something out that makes sense though.
Shultz’s scenario is laughable and entirely implausible. You may as well have Joe Fan write columns for the AJC if that is the best he’s going to do. At least do some research and come up with something that they may actually have a chance in hell of happening.
My prediction: Joe Johnson leaves. We sign some mid level guy like Ray Allen to take his place. Win about 43 games with Crawford as the lead dog and continue the status quo of this franchise of either being good, mediocre, or piss poor. No reason to think otherwise with this pathetic ownership group and franchise.
b.jones
June 22nd, 2010
4:34 pm
daniel in case u havent been watching sport center the hornets are seriously thinking about it, plus biiby,marvin,evans,and crawford all could be in this puzzle to make this deal work why get al jefferson?horford can do the things he can do and cp3 is a all star point 4 the next 10 yrs horford,joe,and cp3 or jefferson,and al horford hmm do we really have to think about it???
That's a Pipe Dream Jeff
June 22nd, 2010
4:45 pm
While we could trade J-Smoove for Paul probably, I doubt we could sign both Joe and Lebron. Nowhere near enough money from our standpoint to go around.
That's a Pipe Dream Jeff
June 22nd, 2010
4:47 pm
LOVE the idea of bringing Paul in here though.
Stockdog
June 22nd, 2010
4:48 pm
Sell the team to LeBron James. He can be a player owner.
moorman
June 22nd, 2010
4:48 pm
i know horford will not be traded, but if they trade jamal crawford in ANY combination to get paul, im officially done with them forever. crawford, outside of horford, is the only hawk that shouldnt be traded. the hawks have NEVER, EVER had a true scorer of crawfords ability come off the bench. he does what he does. trade smith, williams and bibby for paul. keep the draft pick:
starters
pg paul
sg johnson
sf evans or whoever
pf horford
c zaza or whoever
bench
pg teague
sg crawford
sf whoever
pf whoever
c whoever
JC
June 22nd, 2010
4:50 pm
Shultz -fighting over courtside seats requires them to be in short supply, no?
LC
June 22nd, 2010
4:54 pm
NO is not going to trade Paul unless the receiving team takes back Okafor’s albatross contract as well. The Hawks are way too cheap to do that and hence have no chance at all. Plus, Smith Williams and Bibby is an awful package from their standpoint. The only way they would take that back is if we had a high pick to offer along with prob top 8(which we don’t) AND took back Okafor’s contract(which we won’t). Therefore, this is not even worthy of discussion.
ParkerPounder69
June 22nd, 2010
4:55 pm
I like the sign and trade of Johnson, but what sucks is reality. Sund sounds like a lethargic/Steady GM (don’t get me wrong, he’s miles ahead of Knight and Babs-y) and the ownership piece is just too screwed up. If you can get Paul and move some “dead-weight” do it! I still say the key is to sell the club to McDavid per the original plan. Or find another crazy Russian Billionaire, have Zaza suck up to him. Wait, that’s Georgia Vs. Russia, nevermind.
b.jones
June 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
they coul trade crawford,za za, and the rights to j chills rights or even possiable put josh in the mix instead of za za that would cover paul and okafors contracts thats worth discussion
O'Brien
June 22nd, 2010
4:58 pm
Jeff,
Not to mention the fact that the Hornets already have an all star PF in David West, who makes less money than Josh Smith. So why would they want Josh?
Daniel,
No on Jefferson. He makes too much money, his knees are still a concern, and he is not a good defensive player.
JC
June 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
LC – who is Smith Williams? Is he any good?
moorman
June 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
paul AINT ALL THAT. come on now, smith, william and bibby OR a draft pick is pieces that new orleans can use. hell, it wouldnt shock me if they asked for teague in a package.
James
June 22nd, 2010
5:01 pm
Since Jeff posted the Slam cover, I will provide the link to Zaza Pachulia’s version. It is much better.
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l08m864U3B1qz5huso1_500.jpg
I can’t take credit for it, as I saw it the first time someone posted this cover as a blog picture. Check it out, it’s funny.
DeepDiver
June 22nd, 2010
5:03 pm
Love you Jeff but bless your heart you still have no clue. See, there’s this thing called the salary cap…
JC
June 22nd, 2010
5:05 pm
Haha, “Zaza Pachulia want a ring… Now!” That sounds like something he’d say.
JC
June 22nd, 2010
5:17 pm
moorman, Paul is in fact greater than or equal to “all that.”
Paul = Three all-star appearances, two All-NBA teams, two All-NBA defensive teams, ROY in 2006, gold medal in 2008 and 108 consecutive games with at least one steal, the most in NBA history.
Smith + Williams + Bibby = 0 All-star appearances, one All-defensive second team (Smith, 2010) and one Slam Dunk champion (Smith, 2005). Probably the most impressive superlative between the three is that Bibby is the last active NBA player to have played for the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Jerry West
June 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
Teague/ resigned Chillz for Collison/ Posey is about the best I think we could get outta NO. they ain’t trading CP3 for anything on the Hawks roster.
Daniel
June 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
b.jones,
I have been watching sports center, and that’s how I know that several teams have attempted to trade for Paul but that the Hornets have rejected all offers. Further this is from Yahoo, “Bower hasn’t made calls offering Paul, sources said, nor do the Hornets plan to initiate conversations on him.” ESPN is merely throwing it all out there to get fan bases (such as ourselves) excited and give sports writers (such as Schultz) something to write about. Paul is not going to be traded.
Now how about some trade scenarios that would bring back a SG to potentially replace Joe or a center? Iguodala anyone?
blackprix
June 22nd, 2010
5:20 pm
I’ve lived in Atlanta for 36 years and I’ve only seen a Hawks organization committed to making the playoff and the NBA Championship and Hubie Brown was the coach.
It was probably more about Hubie than ownership.
TROTTINGHOME
June 22nd, 2010
5:23 pm
Where’s the basketball writer at?
GO DAWGS!
June 22nd, 2010
5:30 pm
This is what’s most likely going to be the starting lineup PG TEAGUE, SG JJ, SF WILLIAMS/SMITH(if we draft a center) PF HORFORD/SMITH (depending on above statement) C HORFORD/DRAFT PICK the ownership is to ignorant to make any big moves except sign JJ another medicore year pisses me off!!!
b.jones
June 22nd, 2010
5:48 pm
Daniel i agree u have a valid point but the fact that they feel great about there back up point and there owner is finacially strapped makes a lil fire to all this smoke never said it was gone happen just wondered if possiable and maybe how, and Igodala a good fit at shooting guard but that makes to much since for the spirt too do that look for theam to go after ray allen if jj departs
Big Ray
June 22nd, 2010
5:52 pm
Everywhere I look, there are people suggesting that we replace Al Horford at center…with another 6′10″ guy.
Too funny. First it was Amare Stoudamire. Then Emeka Okafor. Then Al Jefferson. Please…stop the madness. Jefferson and Stoudamire don’t even want to play center (Amare refuses), and Okafor is not better than Horford.
Big Ray
June 22nd, 2010
5:55 pm
And no, we don’t need a 35 year old SG to replace our 28 year old one if he bolts.
And no, we aren’t getting Lebron. Not now, not ever. EVER.
We had our shot at CP3, but between Billy and Woody, they FUBAR-ed it up, and then did even worse the next year in Shelden Williams…
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
5:56 pm
Daniel — I agree that NO probably won’t trade Paul. But Josh-for-Paul is cap friendly.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
5:57 pm
That’s a Pipe Dream — Yeah, I know. Hey, I said it was a dream. But hey, if there really is a chance to get Paul and LeBron — and safe to say there probably isn’t — forget Joe.
Snoop1717
June 22nd, 2010
5:57 pm
A couple of things are wrong with this picture. Josh Smith had a built in no-trade clause for the first 2 years or the Hawks would have to pay him 5 million to deal him. We know the Spirit is cheap and will not pay that bill. Second problem even if you could pull off Smith for Paul LeBron would still be a long shot because of cap concerns ultimately you would have to dump 18 Million in Payroll (Bibby, Williams (who has the same trade clause as Smith) and Crawford. Why would Cleveland be a willing participate to take Bibby for 2 years and Crawford for 1?
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
6:00 pm
James — Haha. That’s pretty funny.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
6:01 pm
DeepDiver — Repeating, Josh-for-Paul is cap friendly. Obviously signing both Joe and LeBron makes things difficult but I was just kidding about LeBron, I think you know that.
juicesourcer
June 22nd, 2010
6:02 pm
I promise you they will go backwards this year.
RSX
June 22nd, 2010
6:18 pm
Saw the draftees walking thru CNN Center foodcourt after getting worked out today. One face I’m almost positive I saw was Solomon Alabi. We could use his height + skill.
JSS
June 22nd, 2010
6:20 pm
“Obviously signing both Joe and LeBron makes things difficult but I was just kidding about LeBron, I think you know that.?”
@ Jeff Schultz…
Man, you forgot again where you are writing! The first line should always include: “I’m just kidding.”
Delbert D.
June 22nd, 2010
6:26 pm
Well, there’s Roman Abramovich, who is listed as owner of Chelsea football club. He’s ranked #51 in the world. Then there’s Alisher Usmanov, who owns 23% of Arsenal FC. He’s only worth $1.6 billion, #450 in the world. You can’t even get a reservation at the top clubs in New York with that paltry amount. I’d go for one of the LUKoil guys; you know they’ll be there for you.
JeJe
June 22nd, 2010
6:26 pm
“But don’t believe he hasn’t thought about them.’
Why would I believe that? Sund is an unimaginative moron. HE DRAFTED ROBERT SWIFT, SENE, AND PETRO 3 YEARS IN A ROW WITH HIGH PICKS
JeJe
June 22nd, 2010
6:27 pm
People overestimate Josh Smith’s trade value. Who wants a tweener PF/SF with a horrific attitude, no jumpshot, and who takes plays off?
Not me.
Benjamin
June 22nd, 2010
6:28 pm
Trading Josh for Paul is cap-friendly, and with that, we could look at a three guard lineup of Paul, Crawford, and Johnson. Marvin at the four, Horford at the five, and Childress/ZaZa/Mo Evans/Teague/couple veterans off the bench?
Make it happen, Sund…
JSS
June 22nd, 2010
6:32 pm
@ Delbert D…
Did you watch any of Parliament yesterday? The days of the British having wealth buy playthings aboard are officially over thanks to the new Tory (Conservative) government! Can anybody say “hello Monaco and Abu Dubai!”
Sage of Bluesland
June 22nd, 2010
6:43 pm
The Hawks are where they were in the early 1990s: good enough to make the playoffs, yet good enough to miss out on the prime draft picks…hence, a near-unbreakable cycle of utter mediocrity awaits. Good enough to win more than lose–but never enough to seriously challenge the big boys when it counts.
I told that clown Steve Holman this on a radio call-in show then; he guffawed, stating we were closer than not. Typical organizational stooge.
This organization doesn’t want to do what it takes to win a title, period. It’s going to take another rebuild from square-one…and that is assuming the drafting falls into place and we don’t draft more bums like Marvin or Sheldon…
It’s actually a tough place to be in for the Hawks…Oh well, I don’t subsidize them to begin with, so whatever…
Time
June 22nd, 2010
6:47 pm
Absolutely no way they should deal Smith for anyone. I don’t care what the bandwagoners and carpetbaggers say. Patience ATL, there will come a day when you’ll be really happy to have Smoove around.
Sign and trade with Joe could work, IF, Joe would agree to it. NO wouldn’t be bad without Paul as Collison put up pretty much CP3 numbers while he was out last year. West is a solid guy, they have other pieces. So maybe he’d go for it. But that’s the only way it would happen.
Now, if they pull this off and the thing with Lebron following Paul is true, then you break the bank to sign James with no regard luxury taxes. His mere presence would generate so much revenue that the luxury tax will be more than worth paying.
WCJ
June 22nd, 2010
6:54 pm
The hawks are going to lose Joe Johnson; their best bet would be a sign and trade for Luol Deng from Chicago. The hawks could then sign from these group of players: Josh Howard, Brandon Hayward, John Salmons, Josh Childress, Ruy Guy. Even if the hawks were to get Chris Paul, New Orleans would want Josh Smith and Jeff Teaque instead of Joe Johnson.
West Coast Hawks Fan
June 22nd, 2010
6:57 pm
I hear that Allen Iverson wants to play again and that he has committed himself back to the game. The Hawks should consider signing him especially if he accepts the role of coming off the bench. This solely depends on Joe leaving. Jamal would start at the 2 and A.I. would take over Jamal’s role. I believe even at this stage in his career Iverson can give you a strong 15 to 17 points off the bench. Let’s see what happens.
BamaBill
June 22nd, 2010
6:59 pm
The Hawks had a chance to get a legit C in Samuel Dalembert who went to the Kings for 2 bench players (Hawes isn’t any good and Nocioni isn’t either)…He may not score alot, but he rebounds and blocks shots…would have allowed Horford to move to PF…
Ken Strickland
June 22nd, 2010
7:05 pm
The CPaul trade could work, but expecting to lure LJames and resign JJ is really nothing more than a pipe dream. However, we might be able to get New Orleans to part with CPaul if we are willing to take EOkofor off their hands. Their combined salaries total $24,318,000. We can send them JSmith($10,800,000), MEvans($2,500,000), MBibby($6,217,617)and ZPachulia($4,750,000), who’s total salaries = $24,267,617.
A starting lineup of PG-CPaul, SG-JJ, SF-JChildress, C-EOkofar, PF-AHorford would be solid. Bench: SG/PG-JCrawford, SF/PF-MWilliams, PG-JTeague, C-DJ MBenga, PF/C-RMorris, draft pick, and FA PF/C. Rebounding, scoring and DEF wouldn’t be a problem for that starting lineup, and the bench would be versatile and deep.
This would be a far more realistic accomplishment than trying to add LJames to the mix. Let’s face it, Lebron has yet to prove he can play without the ball in his hands, and if you add CPaul and JJ to the mix, something would have to give.
JSS
June 22nd, 2010
7:10 pm
Regarding Iverson:
If he hasn’t committed himself to being someone’s 7th man and instant offense without having to have the boy in his hands 97% of the time; I say NO!!!
Zach
June 22nd, 2010
7:16 pm
what about a sign a trade for JJ, (and give them marvin) your starting 5 are:
paul
crawford
lebron
josh
al
Ken Strickland
June 22nd, 2010
7:25 pm
WCJ-considering the outstanding season rookie PG Collison had last yr in place of CPaul, why wouldn’t they be willing to add an All Star SG to go with him? JJ is certainly an upgrade over any SG they currently have. And with All Star DWest already at PF, their interest in JSmith might not be as great as you think. If we did a sign and trade with JJ, depending on how much they agree to pay him, we’d have to take on Okafor’s and CPaul’s salaries($24,318,000) and include Zaza($4,750,000)and possibly MEvans($2,500,000) or MBibby($6,217,617)to make it work.
That would give us a starting lineup of PG-CPaul, SG-Draft Pick, SF-JChildress, C-AHorford and PF-JSmith. BENCH: C-EOkafor, SF/PF-MWilliams, SG/PG-JCrawford, PG-JTeague, SG/SF-MEvans or SG/PG-MBibby, C-DJ MBenga and PF/C-RMorris.
Tmac
June 22nd, 2010
7:26 pm
i’d offer NO the #24 pick, marvin williams and mike bibby for paul right now. If they don’t take it, substitute jeff teague for bibby and say take it or leave it.
Then you might resign Joe Johnson and your team is better than last year and the point guard position is solid.
Ken Strickland
June 22nd, 2010
7:35 pm
Allan Iverson is an alcoholic, and I seriously doubt he’s completely overcome his addiction at this point. I just don’t understand this reverence some of you have for a selfish, ball hogging player that plays absolutely no DEF, and that was before his childish and selfish attitude toward coming off the bench. He’s clearly demonstrated his only concern is for himself and what he wants, not for any team and what it wants or needs.
WHY WOULD ANYONE EVEN THINK A PLAYER LIKE THIS COULD DO US ANY GOOD. After all, isn’t one of the reasons we let MWoodson go was due to his dependence on too much ISO and one on one play, and you want us to bring in Iverson, the king of ISO and one on one play.
The Wad
June 22nd, 2010
7:46 pm
No scenario matters unless it nets the Hawks a true center that has ten years of upside left. Someone like that Love kid at Minn. If we had him in the center with Horford and Smith down low, Teague and Jamal…… then we could do fine without JJ. The idea of a sign and trade of JJ is carzy because he won`t go just anywhere and we need something specific that is a rarity right now. I would trade JJ,Bbibby,Pachulia, and Childress for Love. But that`s as big a dream as anything else we can come up with. This team ha ownership that is stuck with no real options to improve whether Joe is here or not. And anybody who thinks this team will be better with Childress instead of JJ is patently stupid.
Manny
June 22nd, 2010
7:53 pm
If the Hawks couldn’t afford Mike Woodson, how do you think they’re going to afford Chris Paul?
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:05 pm
Trotting Home: Here ya go: http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/06/22/atlanta-hawks-could-these-draft-prospects-help-the-hawks-now/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:06 pm
Snoop1717 — If that was a 2-year clause, and I’m not sure off-hand, then it has expired. Smith is 2 years into the contract.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:08 pm
RSX — You were correct. Solomon Alabi was among those who worked out today.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:09 pm
JSS — I guess I should know by now that not everybody can pick up on sarcasm. I would’ve thought the 2 exclamation points were a dead giveaway.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:11 pm
JeJe — I think “unimaginative moran” might be a tad harsh, and this comes from somebody who has come across several morons in his career. But yes, Rick Sund has whiffed a few times.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
Time — I’ve actually been one of Josh Smith’s biggest defenders and I’m not at all saying he needs to be traded. But if there’s a makeable deal for Chris Paul, to me you don’t even hesitate.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:14 pm
WCJ — I think it’s 50-50 on Joe. (I realize that’s not going out on a limb.) The name I’ve heard most often as a backup plan is John Salmons. Obviously Childress also could be a factor since he can play the 2 or the 3.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:14 pm
West Coast Hawks Fan: I absolutely love Allen Iverson. Five years ago.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:16 pm
TMac — For New Orleans to deal Paul, you’re going to have to give them a marketable player in return. Not sure any of those names qualify.
Jeff Schultz
June 22nd, 2010
8:16 pm
Manny — Couldn’t “afford” Mike Woodson? Where did you get that from?
Ray
June 22nd, 2010
8:23 pm
I seriously think people have issues every time I read these comments on blogs concerning the hawks. First Josh Smith shouldn’t go anywhere the guy was almost an all-star, and if he does go anywhere we’d best get something big in return.
I agree Marvin Williams isn’t panning out like we thought,but by no means is he a complete bust he’s a bust in terms that he was drafted wayyyyyy too high.
If anything I seriously say trade Josh Childress while I would like to see him in a hawks uniform again he has been away too long from the team. Plus trading him has a lot of value I think we can sneak into the top 10 trading him to someone.
cheshire
June 22nd, 2010
8:28 pm
The tragedy of all of this is that Atlanta really does have a lot of pieces to be players in this Lebron market. There is no reason we couldn’t be mentioned in the talk for ANY of these free agents. Of all the teams mentioned up for Lebron – Chicago, New Jersey, L.A. Clippers, etc. – not one of them provides as quick a possibility to win a championship as Atlanta does. We are one great player away from playing championships, and our weakest starting position last year was at forward, which is what Lebron is. Take out Marvin and plug in Lebron and this team is a favorite for the NBA finals.
The reason we aren’t mentioned in any of these talks? Ownership. That’s it. Who on earth would want to walk into a situation where (a.) the owners don’t want to spend any $ and (b.) they are fighting with one another. Such a total waste… with a good owner (owner, not owners), we would be among the elite teams in the NBA. The pieces are there, but the owners can’t/won’t do anything with them.
Infamous
June 22nd, 2010
8:32 pm
I have been saying this forever!! Finally somebody agrees with me and mentions it. But will the cheap owners want to pay to win. Prob not.
Hunter
June 22nd, 2010
8:40 pm
Hey Jeff — I wrote a response to your article on BR, let me know what you think. Thanks!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/410006-chris-paul-to-the-hawks-no-way
Ray
June 22nd, 2010
8:41 pm
One thing I wish we knew is whether or not Johnson will bolt in free agency if he does sign and trade him to a team with one of the Top 5 picks they’ll more than likely welcome the trade I’d hope.
Tchoup 504
June 22nd, 2010
8:50 pm
So the Hornets are going to hand over Chris Paul, the franchise player, to the Hawks for a sack of aging players, maybe a draft choice, and maybe unload a bad contract….that’s rich. Only Atlanta arrogance could give birth to that fantasy.
Hunter
June 22nd, 2010
9:04 pm
Tchoup 504 — I couldn’t agree with you any more than I do. You’re spot on. Read more about why we’re right here, but from the Hawks side of things. Please leave a comment with more opinions from the New Orleans viewpoint.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/410006-chris-paul-to-the-hawks-no-way
Delbert D.
June 22nd, 2010
9:31 pm
jss – So the Conservatives in parliament are not going to allow Russian billionaires to buy anything more? Well, that blows the premise to the movie “RocknRolla” (which was not quite as good as Guy Ritchies’ “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”, IMHO.)
STEELY DAN MAN
June 22nd, 2010
9:46 pm
What ever happened to Garret Siler ….. the guy eveyone was so excited about last year ?
J.R. Rider
June 22nd, 2010
9:57 pm
Scrap the whole roster and sign me.
Pi$$onaDawg
June 22nd, 2010
10:02 pm
Is that a Hemorrhoid or are the Hawks still sucking BUTT?
BIG
June 22nd, 2010
10:07 pm
That must be some GOOD STUFF YOU SMOKING in which case I can ONLY say PUFF PUFF PASS. If you believe that you got to be smoking something or on some kind of DRUGS!
JSS
June 22nd, 2010
10:18 pm
@ Delbert D…
That’s why entertainment films are “fiction.” Austerity financial policy plus the need to find revenue instead of realizing that getting a economy back on track and letting tax revenues catch back up on a incline, Wow, the return of Hoover economics! The Office of the Exchequer is going to tax everything and anything not tied down or too poor not to have any real income. They’ll (the poor) will just get screwed at the cashier (the VAT-value added tax). The foreign investors who took advantage of Labours freeing of the the old British tax code are going to be screaming like Georgia when Sherman came through!
PlusSizeModel
June 22nd, 2010
10:25 pm
If the N.O. is stupid enough to take Josh for Paul that will be one of the biggest steals in NBA history.
KevinM
June 22nd, 2010
10:27 pm
Realistically, JJ IMO isn’t coming back. I don’t think he has the spine to take the criticism. Wait til he gets to NY!
Moorman, Crawford in no scenario is coming off the bench this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see LD just slide Craw into JJ’s slot and little changes, except iso Joe. I won’t miss that at all.
Ken Strickland, what you suggest is to blow up the entire roster. While a couple of moves is ideal, you aren’t Mike Ditka dealing for Ricky Williams.
We all know how this is going to turn out. JJ leaves after getting an offer elsewhere and says like Phoenix that he doesn’t want to return. We try to get something for him in a S&T, and perhaps we get future considerations and a expiring contract.
Sund will make a minor tweak, and bring in a vet to replace Joe Smith.
This team needs to move Horford or Smoove so we can get a center for defensive purposes….or, lets propose Marvin for Thabeet and we pick up a Salmons or a journeyman 3.
Getting Bibby off the roster and Marvin would be positive moves by Sund after his mistake to extend these limited players. That includes Zaza, who I can’t recall if he helped at all last year.
Still hoping for a Cousins drafting miracle to team up with Teague.
PlusSizeModel
June 22nd, 2010
10:27 pm
“i’d offer NO the #24 pick, marvin williams and mike bibby for paul right now. If they don’t take it, substitute jeff teague for bibby and say take it or leave it.”
Yeah, they’d take that trade. How did you fingure out how to log on to a computer?
JSS
June 22nd, 2010
10:33 pm
@ Steely man
Garret Siler’s played last season in the Chinese League on Yao Ming’s Shanghai Sharks team. He led them in rebounding and was 3rd in scoring. Shot nearly 76% from the field with the wider international lane. He is back in Augusta now after his team was eliminated in the Semi-final of CBA’s playoffs where he averaged a double/double in five of their nine playoff games…
http://www.asia-basket.com/team.asp?Cntry=CHN&Team=1950
He is weighing his options for next year. Utah, Miami, and Houston have shown interest… Nothing as of yet from the Hawks…
STEELY DAN MAN
June 22nd, 2010
11:28 pm
@ JSS ….Much oblidged !!!!!!
GT63
June 22nd, 2010
11:36 pm
Has anybody consider the idea of acquiring of Rudy Gay for Joe Johnson
GT63
June 22nd, 2010
11:39 pm
I mean acquiring Rudy Gay for Joe Johnson
gcs
June 23rd, 2010
12:17 am
ATL = Atlanta’s Tall Losers
.
John
June 23rd, 2010
12:18 am
The Hawks are not gonna get Chris Paul they need to try to get Devin Harris from New Jersey and give them Jeff Teaque and Mo Evans.
DZ
June 23rd, 2010
12:20 am
What do you Hawks and Thrashers fans feel about having a protest demonstration outside ASG headquarters at 101 Marietta Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30303-2771?
Tweets that mention Hawks can't afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?) | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
June 23rd, 2010
12:52 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ajc sports editor, Sami Obamat. Sami Obamat said: Hawks can't afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?): Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) But what a way for… http://bit.ly/af4BnE [...]
The Atlanta Spirit
June 23rd, 2010
6:45 am
Dumbest post ever. It would cost money to do anything and it just isn’t going to happen as long as we are here. Somebody (anybody) please take these teams from hell off our hands!
JSS
June 23rd, 2010
7:44 am
@ GT63…
The regulars on the Hawks Fan Blog (run by Big Ray) have discussed moving a number of players for Gay. This started way back near the trade deadline. The problem has been not overextending yourself to acquire him. Memphis needs pieces and showed signs that they are not too far being good… You should venture over to either there or Michael Cunningham’s beat blog and ask that question. Big Ray comes on here every once in awhile…
Big Ray
June 23rd, 2010
7:52 am
JSS
Right on, that has been a subject of interest. However, I don’t know that the Grizzlies are all that willing to part with Gay at this point. And as you said, the issue is overextending yourself to get him. Memphis likes their talented young core, which they will get a chance to add to in the draft. However, everyone in the business is open to the right deal…
tar and feathers party
June 23rd, 2010
8:15 am
Hey, I am available as the “some guy off the street,” and I will play for FREE, I don’t need the money. The only downside is that I am pushing 60…
Angela
June 23rd, 2010
8:23 am
The Hawks will never sign Chris Paul because they don’t want to spend any money. That was proving when they hired Larry Drew! (No offense.)
JSS
June 23rd, 2010
9:13 am
@ Big Ray…
Co-sign
ParkerPounder69
June 23rd, 2010
10:10 am
Interesting rumor out of Memphis that OJ Mayo was linked to a Paul deal. If Memphis is shopping then the Hawks need to be as well. Bring in Mayo!?!?!
Michael Turner finally admitting the obvious: He was fat | Jeff Schultz
June 23rd, 2010
10:16 am
[...] ♦ Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?) [...]
Ray
June 23rd, 2010
10:21 am
You guys need to stop living in the past we didn’t get Chris Paul, and apparently we are okay for now. We don’t know what type of talent Jeff Teague has, and he could be another Rajon Rondo for all we know.
Marvin Williams needs to be coming off the bench smoove needs to be at SF and Horford at PF if we could somehow get Demarcus Cousins he’d be at C he might only be 6-11, but hey he weights over 280 which is nice. Cause he’ll be able to play people like howard and other C’s maybe not Big Z or Yao Ming, but he’ll be good enough to stop them I know.
NoleRick
June 23rd, 2010
10:31 am
I would like to see Josh and CP3 on the same team…great highlights!
Hoops
June 23rd, 2010
10:31 am
Ken Strickland,
I hope your fight with cancer is going well. I just want you to know that you are in my prayers everyday. God bless you!
Let’s take a minute to look @ what you call a pipe dream. The Hawks need to try and make the following trade before the draft:
The Hawks would trade Crawford (expiring contract) and Zaza for CP3. The contracts would work out. The Hawks and the Hornets swap draft picks so that saves the Hornets 1-2M on the #24 draft pick instead of #11. The Hornets get an affordable big in Zaza, that is a better player than they would get with the #11 draft pick and they get a shooting guard that can really play with an expiring contract. That gives them big cap relief next year. On the other hand the Hawks get a starting PG and a chance to draft a young big that has a future (Whiteside, Aldrich, Patterson, Udoh, Alabi,etc.).
Now, JJ wants to resign with the Hawks to play with CP3. Childress now wants to rejoin the Hawks because they have a chance to be really good.
LaBron, in the meantime, is watching what CP3 is doing and has a real interest in what is developing in the ATL. If he wanted to come to the Hawks, the Cavs would be forced to consider a sign and trade. The Hawks could offer J. Smith and Bibby for LaBron. We could then throw in our 2011 #1 draft pick since it will be a low pick with this lineup. Now a big like Hayward would jump all over signing the MLE to play with that group. Look @ this pipe dream:
PG-CP3, Teague
SG-JJ, Childress, Evans
SF-LaBron, Marvin
PF-Horford, Joe Smith, R. Morris
C-Hayward, Whiteside, Siler
The Hawks could get this done by only spending the MLE on Hayward. All other contracts were covered by what is already in place since the ASG is planning on resigning JJ and offer a QA to Childress.
Ray
June 23rd, 2010
10:38 am
@Hoops I’m glad you said that was a pipe dream cause it will never happen.
I still say Chillz needs to be traded away he’ probably be worth a Top 10 pick in the draft.
ChippersLoveChild
June 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
And while the Hawks do nothing, Milwaukee the team that took us to 7 games has just added Corey Maggette and Chris Douglas-Roberts… just another team that will soon pass us by..
ChippersLoveChild
June 23rd, 2010
10:44 am
And they got them for nothing… nothing… see what happens when owners will actually spend money? I’m all for protesting the ASG. Please, please get both clubs new owners.
KevinM
June 23rd, 2010
12:20 pm
Hoops, congrats on all that, but wow, that is way too much for even Sund and Pendergraft to digest. They didn’t bring LD back to blow this thing up. The ASG is simply unable to approve any scenarios like that. We will be ‘lucky’ to get something for JJ and get a big man in place of either Smoove or Horford. BTW, adding ‘LaBron?’ doesn’t get us past Orlando.
CLC, you really think Maggette is an upgrade? I haven’t seen him do anyting to help a winning team yet. Still waiting….CDR might be good for the Bucks, but they are going to pay the big bucks for that Maggette contract….I wouldn’t give him a jersey in any manner on my team.
You have to think the way the ASG thinks: give us a chance, and try to make it cheaper than when you started. So that might mean giving up one of our draft picks, and moving a starter for a cheap fix.
I am not sure what Smoove is worth on the open market, but I sure would find out.
You can’t sit Marvin until you bring in someone who justifies sitting him. He is owed way too much to give him spot minutes. He won’t improve at all in that situation. We have to move him and Bibby to improve our salary numbers.
Now, the first thing is moving JJ. I know LD and Sund say they want him back. The $$ he is asking for is hard to justify for a guy who once we resign him, we can’t add another superstar. That is what we need to look for.
Being brutally honest, we didn’t improve with Crawford off the bench. We did just as well with Flip off the bench. So going forward, we need to improve our starting 5. I’m not saying we improve with JJ leaving, but Crawford can take on his SG role easily. I think the key to this season is a move of Smoove or Horford to get us a legit big man. The Spurs have the same issue and you see with Duncan and McDyess; they don’t have enough length to compete.
I say do your due diligence to get into the Top 2-4 of the draft. Those teams don’t want any more young players more than they do successful NBA players.
Get us a big man, who can at least help with Howard. The Celtics had a good rotation this year. We need Marvin to step up and help in the interior and double team Horford with a Thabeet or another shot blocker.
Shoot for Pryzbilla or Brendan Haywood. Get us a Perkins type guy who gives us bulk. Zaza isn’t fulfilling that role at 4M.
Tommy
June 23rd, 2010
12:38 pm
Have I been asleep for a long while. Can someone show me the championships that Chris Paul has brought to the Big Easy???
All kidding aside. Everything is relative. If you drafted Chris Paul..you win a few more games intially, Then you would not have been in position to draft Al Horford, who I saw a lot of during his college days and I can tell you he is one of the smartest frontcourt players I have seen in a long time.
Chris E
June 23rd, 2010
1:28 pm
The best deal for me would be to resign Joe and try to package Marvin, Teague, Chills & the 24th pick for Paul. Make it as enticing as we can. Chris Paul at the point would definitely bring Joe back and possibly a serviceable Big!!! Paul, Joe, Josh, Al & a Big. Bibby, Crawford, Mo, Joe Smith & ZaZa. We could definitely make waves and win in the 2nd round!!!
Ray
June 23rd, 2010
1:35 pm
@Chris E dude no the chris paul for ATL is not happening I don’t even think he wants to come here. I’m glad some of you guys aren’t GM’s in this league cause you’d be chewed up and spit out every year.
I’m still on the fence about Marvin he has at least two more years before I call it a done deal with him. Teague hasn’t even gotten a chance you guys just want to ship him away what if he turns out to be another Rajon Rondo.
Chills by himself could get us a Top 15 pick cause he’s got value. With Joe we could get the No. 2 pick from Philly if their willing to let it go. Then we draft Evan Turner to replace Joe.
Chris E
June 23rd, 2010
1:35 pm
We definitely need a Big> We should adjust our team to beat the Lakers & Magic. We need length!!! Anything else won’t cut it!!!
Chris
June 23rd, 2010
1:44 pm
While I would love a Joe Johnson sign & trade for Chris Paul, I don’t see why Johnson would agree to it. Even with Paul, the Hornets are an average team at best. If Johnson wants to play for a potential condtender, he will take a 5 year contract somewhere else (Bulls/Knicks/Heat). If he really wants that 6 year contract, he will probably stay with the Hawks (who are already pretty good). What he will not do is take a 6 year contract (sign/trade) with a mediocre team.
Unfortunately, the other sign & trade options do not seem viable as Bibby, Williams, and Smith just signed new contracts (and New Orleans is trying to cut payroll) and I do not see us parting with Horford.
ryan
June 23rd, 2010
3:07 pm
The Hawks have to make this trade ASG they would be hero’s to ATL fans and bring in a huge buzz . And would bring back Joe Johnson they can not take a step back if they do we will never get back to the playoffs. The spirit group has to sell jerseys and season tickets.
MsDee
June 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
I would love to have CP3 and JJ but I dont want to give up Teague, JSmoove, or Al Horford to get them..Bibby, Zaza, Mo Evans, Marvin & #24 draft could all be had..keep 2nd pick for a center.. Jerome Jordan if he is still there or Dexter Pittman!
T.C
June 23rd, 2010
5:29 pm
How come NOBODY is talking about the seriousness of Chris Pauls injury AND THE FACT THAT HE HAD PART OF HIS KNEE REMOVED? That’s why he’s on the trading block. Because for what he had done to his knee, the future doesn’t look too bright for Mr.Paul. Essentially his knee is a ticking timebomb waiting to break down. LOOK IT UP!
Fredi Gonzalez fired -- and Braves should hire him now | Jeff Schultz
June 23rd, 2010
5:48 pm
[...] ♦ Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?) [...]
West Coast Hawks Fan
June 23rd, 2010
9:34 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong Jamal’s role was to score off the bench right? He could go one on one without fear of being yanked out of the game. Is there a better person out there to take over that role if Jamal starts than Allen Iverson. The things people over the years have criticized him for we would ask him to do that’s be selfish and be the scoring threat off the bench. I mean isn’t that what we asked Jamal to do this year? If Joe leaves and Jamal starts who will be our scoring threat off the bench Mike Bibby that is if Jeff Teague starts or vice versa. We wouldn’t be asking A.I to be the man just the man coming off the bench. A.I. is still a high double digit scorer even at this this stage in his career. I believe he realizes his playing days are limited so he wants to prove his skeptics wrong especially the ones on this blog Mr. Schultz and friends!
Michael Turner finally admitting the obvious: He was fat | healthyWeightlossforlife.com
June 24th, 2010
9:48 am
[...] ♦ Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?) [...]
dc
June 24th, 2010
10:52 am
It would be hard to see NO trading paul…they want to dump bad contracts like okafor and peja…not Paul….If they were to although If im in NO I trade all’em. Trade Paul for Smith and Trade guys like okafor and peja and David West get…get some drafts picks…some one tell this to NO’s gm so they will trade CP3
bravos
June 24th, 2010
1:40 pm
7 words: Lebron is not coming to the hawks!!!
Richard Denson
June 24th, 2010
2:29 pm
has anybody ever considered Marvin,Randolph,Collins & a 2nd round pick 4 Al Jefferson and a 1st round pick?
Jeff D.
June 24th, 2010
3:31 pm
We all have great ideas. The Spirit generally does not. I’m hopeful they do the right thing tonight but the odds are good they’ll botch the bris again.
Jeff D.
June 24th, 2010
3:51 pm
West Coast Hawks Fan! You better do your homework on Iverson. He needs to get his life AWAY from basketball together first before contemplating a comeback. It’s sad, but the guy is in a lot of trouble, mostly self inflicted.
Dudley gives Thrashers a needed jolt in short amount of time | Jeff Schultz
June 24th, 2010
4:40 pm
[...] ♦ Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?) [...]
Ray
June 24th, 2010
4:53 pm
Did anyone know they have at NBA Mock Draft.net that Hawks will pick up Hassan Whiteside. I say that’s a good fit for us he’s 7-0 needs to gain weight, but still 7 feet tall.
LIVE DRAFT BLOG: Hawks (No. 24) have a few hours to wait | Jeff Schultz
June 24th, 2010
7:06 pm
[...] It’s worth noting that the words, “We will not trade Chris Paul,” aren’t in the statement. New Orleans Times-Picayune’s John DeShazier has a terrific column summarizing this sensitive topic with the Hornets. And yeah, I’m still wondering how a Josh Smith-for-Paul swap could re-shape the Hawks. [...]
Michael Turner finally admitting the obvious: He was fat
June 24th, 2010
8:30 pm
[...] ♦ Hawks can’t afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?) [...]
2010 NBA Draft Tracker
June 24th, 2010
10:16 pm
[...] John DeShazier has a terrific column summarizing this sensitive topic with the Hornets. And yeah, I’m still wondering how a Josh Smith-for-Paul swap could re-shape the Hawks. LIVE DRAFT BLOG: Hawks (No. 24) have a few hours to wait | Jeff Schultz [...]
All Around the World News
July 6th, 2010
5:21 pm
Hawks can't afford to slide back (and why not Chris Paul?) | Jeff ……
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