Another Spirit dilemma: Can Hawks afford Jamal Crawford?
Jamal Crawford has made a real difference as a Hawk. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The hockey arm of the Atlanta Spirit might be headed out of town, and a key part of the Spirit’s basketball operation could be, too. This assumes the Spirit will keep the Hawks, which it might not. Confused yet?)
Jamal Crawford won’t be taking his talents to Winnipeg, but he might not be a Hawk much longer.
Crawford isn’t anxious to leave. Of his four NBA stops, this has been the sweetest: He made the playoffs for the first time, and last season he was voted the league’s best sixth man. But he wants more money. He’s not apt to find it here.
He made $10 million this season. He’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He informed the Hawks a year ago that he’d like a new contract, and nothing much has happened. (Nothing beyond Rick Sund, the general manager, saying he’d like to keep Crawford.)
Unless the NBA thrashes out a new collective bargaining agreement that radically boosts the salary cap, the Hawks won’t be in position to spend. The Spirit, which funded the league’s seventh-highest payroll in 2010-2011, doesn’t want to pay one penny of luxury tax, the threshold for which was $70 million this season. (And even if the Hawks were sold, the sale wouldn’t be finalized until after the keep-or-dump decision on Crawford is made.)
The Hawks have committed almost $67 million to salaries for 2011-2012, which brings us to the greater issue. Their surprising playoff run notwithstanding, is there financial room for growth?
Joe Johnson will make $18 million next season. There was a time when — at least to some people, this correspondent included — it made sense for the Hawks to pay whatever it took to keep their best player. One year into his $120-million contract, Johnson is no longer that player. He slipped from 11th in the NBA in scoring in 2009-2010 to 28th this season, and he didn’t draw a single vote in All-NBA balloting. (He’d made third team the year before.)
Combine the $18 million due Johnson with the $8 million on Kirk Hinrich’s contract and the $1.5 million due Jeff Teague, and you’ve got nearly $28 million sunk into a backcourt without Crawford. And the price paid for Hinrich — the rookie Jordan Crawford plus the Hawks’ No. 1 pick in 2011 — wrecked the chance of developing young talent at an entry-level rate.
If the Hawks lose Jamal Crawford, they won’t be as good. He’s a difference-maker. He’s also 31, and Johnson is set to turn 30 next month. Even if the Spirit could afford it, would it be wise to spend big to keep another shooting guard of similar talent and age?
Small forward is the bigger concern. With his increasing reliance on size over skill, Larry Drew moved Al Horford to power forward, which enabled him to shoot more jump shots to lesser effect, and Josh Smith to the perimeter, which did the same. Marvin Williams, who’s under contract through 2013, has become a lost soul. If Horford and Smith remain at 4 and 3 — and I’m not sure that’s the answer — then the Hawks can get by with Williams doing little.
Loading ...If not, could Johnson swing to forward and let Teague and Hinrich start at guard? The learned John Hollinger of ESPN has suggested as much, but I don’t see it. If we know anything about Johnson, it’s that he needs the ball in his hands. And would a team that ranked 22nd in a 30-team league in rebounding differential dare to deploy three guards as its base lineup?
It wouldn’t be a summer if we didn’t have Hawks drama. In 2008 they lost Josh Childress to Greece but kept Josh Smith. In 2009 they kept Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia but let Flip Murray leave. (Trading for Crawford had rendered Flip expendable.) Last summer the Spirit fired Mike Woodson, promoted Larry Drew and broke the bank for Johnson.
On the record, the Spirit has a pretty good history of keeping the guys it wants to keep. Crawford, however, will be the most severe test. The Hawks like him and value him, but they might not be able to afford him. And he’d be a real loss.
By Mark Bradley
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157 comments Add your comment
No Woody for Me
May 19th, 2011
12:41 pm
I know it is counterintuitive based on their relative heights, but maybe we should play Josh at the 4 and Al at the 3. Al is a much better shooter and with practice might become reliable from 18 to 20 feet., and Josh is more powerful down low. This will provide the added benefit of taking Josh off the perimeter.
Slim
May 19th, 2011
12:51 pm
cosign joey1
but with some tweaks.
Teague is going to have to start and our bench needs bigs and forwards/versatility rebounding.
Milwaukee was 4th defensively but bad rebounding wise. I think Smith is a better rebounder than Delfino & Ilyasova (advancednumbers and eyes say as much)
Hinrich & Williams for Sanders, Salmons, and Gooden. Horford for Bogut
We steal the bigs of a top 4 defense in the league and add our scorers and hopefully Smith loses weight for an added dimension (transition circa 2008-2009).
Starters:
PG-Jeff Teague, SG-Joe Johnson, SF-Josh Smith, PF-Larry Sanders, and C-Andrew Bogut
(Note: could also move Josh Smith to PF and start Al Thorton at SF)
Bench:
PG – Andre Miller???? or T.J. Ford (which ever we sign) would they take a cut? (Sundiata Gaines/Ronnie Price)
SG – John Salmons, Al Thornton
SF – Al Thornton, Wilkins
PF – Drew Gooden
PF/C – Zaza Pachulia, (either Hilton Armstrong or Magnum Rolle) Collins (Dwight Insurance)
(Note: Pape Sy and late round pick for proven pick Semih Erden) (sign Thornton for $2 mil)
If backup PG wants big money go for Sundiata Gaines or Ronnie Price
If Milwaukee had the chance to rebuild with Josh Smith, Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson in addition to Bogut and Sanders and would they be contenders? I say yes.
Look at what Chicago has shown their role players are just role players. If we had size to defend them last playoffs we would be in the ECF right now.
Smh if the Heat get a competent center forward or point guard this offseason.
Wow
May 19th, 2011
12:53 pm
@No Woody for Me
um how do yo you force Lebron to guard Al Horford lol. The positions on the floor are just markers to who matches up with whom.
why put Al Horford on Lebron James or Luol Deng when Bosh is just going to lock him up on the other end.
Atlanta fans are crazy. Is that you Gearon?
jon
May 19th, 2011
1:00 pm
let him go 2 expensive and wilted under pressure especially his ball handling skills and he play NO defense!
Al Horford is a tweener
May 19th, 2011
1:04 pm
Al falters in the playoffs versus regular season. We see it every year.
AL Horford is great?
The dude took 8 free throws in 6 games. He is way overrated, due to lack pf big men talent in the league. He is just a jump shooter “big”. No heart or hustle.
FBBoy
May 19th, 2011
1:05 pm
Mark, given the franchise history, is there any realistic hope that any combination of free agent signings, trades, drafts, etc. can push this team beyond the kind of season they had this year? I don’t see it happening without a wholesale overhaul of the franchise, from owners, coaches down to the players .. and honestly, I know know how to accomplish that or whether it’s even possible
JeJe
May 19th, 2011
1:07 pm
FIRE LARRY DREW
FIRE JOSH FOR SAYING IT’S NOT HARD TO WIN IN CHICAGO (HE SAID THIS AFTER GAME 5). WE LOST TWICE TO CHICAGO AT HOME
FIRE JAMAL FOR SAYING “IF THAT’S THEIR BEST SHOT….” AFTER GAME 2
FIRE JOE FOR BEING A REGULAR SEASON PLAYER
FIRE HORFORD FOR BEING SOFT
FIRE MARVIN FOR BEING GARBAGE. FORGET WHAT NORTHCYDE SAYS. MARVIN IS UNANIMOUSLY THE WORST PLAYER IN THE NBA
Yonny
May 19th, 2011
1:08 pm
Basketball Jones, the Hawks would have had the 18th pick this year. They could have still gotten a value pick there, so there is no defending that trade.
Newbie
May 19th, 2011
1:09 pm
CJ – did not mean it in a bad way. Al is one of the Hawks best and most consistent players, as I siad in my earlier post. I have followed the Hawks for a long time, but unfortunatly I don’t live in or near Atlanta so I rely on these blogs and the media to keep up with the Hawks. I try to go to at least 2 games a year to watch them in person when they have a game close to where I live. Beleive me I would rather keep Al, one of my favorite players, and trade Josh Smith. Unfortunelty, Al is the only one between the two that has great trade value. The only way to improve this team, because of bad management, is to make a sacrifice
and trade Al. I think by trading Al it would allow us to bring in someone that can help us, like Bogut. I don’t think that just that trade will make us Eastern Conference Champions, but it is a start. If the owners would spend some money and go out and get some pieces through FA, like the ones I mentioned earlier, we would be able to compete with anyone for the Eastern Conference Championship. I know that this is just a dream, because of our current ownership, but I am hoping the Spirit sells the team to a owner that is committed to building a championship caliber team in Atlanta.
joey1
May 19th, 2011
1:10 pm
wilson chandler would be a upgrade of marvin williams
david
May 19th, 2011
1:11 pm
we don’t beat orlando without jamal.
joey1
May 19th, 2011
1:16 pm
1 hawks cant afford j crawford,anyways we need to trade al horford for andrew bogut straight up trade marvin williams for a mid 1st round pick and sign al thorton in free agency over the summer
starting lineup teague,joe,thorton, smith, bogut
MJC
May 19th, 2011
1:17 pm
I think the better question would be: do we still want him? I don’t have much interest in an aging, career 41% shooter who plays bad defense.
Todd
May 19th, 2011
1:22 pm
Why is a early game blacked out this afternoon on MLB? I thought they only blacked out braves games that were set to be on that channel? Stinks.
Newbie
May 19th, 2011
1:23 pm
Slim – good post but I would go after either Arron Brooks ($3 million Qualifying Offer) or Rodney Stuckey ($3.9 million Qualifying Offer) compared to Andre Miller (Team Options $7.8 million) they are younger an would cost less. Plus by letting Twin go, even though he did exactly what we ask him to do, we would be able to try to get Alex Ajinc (7′2″ FA 1.5 million)who is also younger who can bang with the big centers in the conference.
Greg
May 19th, 2011
1:26 pm
Jamal who showed up for one game against the bulls. Heck no. Plays no defense either. Get rid of him and marvin and bring in a center and this team will do well
Al Horford is a tweener
May 19th, 2011
1:28 pm
@joey1
“wilson chandler would be a upgrade of marvin williams”
Yes And Wilson Chandler is a small forward. We need a low post presence not more scorers.
We need Asiks and Taj Gibsons and a center. Defense and rebounding. Al Horford’s 12 shots per game go to Bogut’s 11 shots per gamr. Marvin’s 8 shot’s per game go to Larry Sanders.
Crawford’s shots go to Salmons and Gooden and Al Thornton.
Hinrich’s shots and decision making becomes Teague’s.
The scoring will take care of itself if we give ourselves a chance to rebound and defend. I’m all for trading Smith and Williams for a small forward power forward combo. But where do you get equal value?
You will not get a center for Smith+Williams. You need centers to win and they are not going to be given away.
Dap01
May 19th, 2011
1:32 pm
I hope we tie up all of our cap room so that we can stay average.
After all, a jump shooting, iso heavy team often does very well in the playoffs.
We can not afford to keep JC with all of our needs. We are destined for average.
Birdman
May 19th, 2011
1:32 pm
We got Spirit yes we do! We got Spirit yes we’re scr#*@d!
Dap01
May 19th, 2011
1:34 pm
His defense is horrible.
JROLL1
May 19th, 2011
1:34 pm
ANY CHANCE WE CAN “TRICK” THE WIZARDS INTO TRADING JORDAN CRAWFORD FOR MARVIN? JUS’ SAYN!
O'Brien
May 19th, 2011
1:37 pm
Najeh,
The smart thing would have been to trade him last offseason (after JJ was resigned and another SG Jordan Crawford was drafted).
We would have had Mo Evans and Jordan Crawford to hold down the backup SG spot, and Jamal could have been used to address other needs. But typical Hawks, they are always a day late with their moves.
Slim
May 19th, 2011
1:42 pm
@Newbie
considering the Milwaukee-defend-rebounding trades. I don’t think Miller and Aaron Brooks (young wants to be a superstar + starter; Napoleon Complex) would fit here considering the money they may be looking for.
Brooks is not taking a pay cut and Miller might want to just to have a guaranteed role on a playoff team and mentor compete with Teague. But would Miller want to sign here for less money?
::::
Given the Milwaukee trade I suggested undervalued NBA hanger-on Al Thornton ($2 mil at most). Then I suggested Sundiata Gaines. Brooks and Miller I fear may be too expensive for AS Group.
edit: Ronnie Price if he really is closer to 6-2 than 5-11.
JeJe
May 19th, 2011
1:53 pm
ASG saved money by trading that pick last year. They got money from trading Childress.
They said they’d go into LT to find right player
WTF are these morons doing? Are they going to just sit on the same g*ddamn payroll with the same pathetic core and keep getting embarrassed in the 2nd round?
FIRE ASG
black bee
May 19th, 2011
1:53 pm
Yes you have to keep him. After what Miami and the Celtics did loading up on superstars, you can expect other teams to do it too. Besides getting Dwight Howard (which they don’t have enough money) keeping Crawford is the only way this team stays a contender under the present senario
Slim
May 19th, 2011
1:59 pm
Why is this even a question? Did people not realize this when the “dis-organization” decided after a bunch of bad signings (especially Marvin ) to resign JJ to the max.
Teague 8 FTA per game potential. start him.
JJ is who he is. 6′8 shooting guard with good to average defense. start him.
Smith has shown ability to play here even at 245. lose weight run and gun. 3bpg. start him.
Sanders has shown 3bpg per 36 minutes. add weight. set screens. dunk. crash glass. start him.
Bogut even injured averaged near 3bpg, 11rpg and got his teammates into transition. crash glass. start him.
Salmons: 6′6.75 point guard. could have used him in the backcourt with JJ against Rose when Teague was on the bench.
Gooden: 6′10 soft for a starter difference maker off bench if u can hide defense. PF not center. (Pachulia).
Hinrich: solid to great but Salmons= value plus size to defend and post up for double teams. Lesser PER= replaceable.
Williams: Unless he plays the 2 he’s a liability on both ends especially considering Horford is 6′9,75″ with a basic wingspan and Smith is Lebron’s height and wingspan. No way we can cover for his weaknesses anymore.
Horford: Drew Gooden with better core strength. Still some teams want to play a small center and go up and down. This lineup is mental debauchery.
We want to win a championship. Trade him for Bogut, Sanders, Gooden, Salmons. Develop over the season and beat Chicago.
freshd
May 19th, 2011
2:00 pm
Jamal is a one trick pony, let him go. When his offense was off against the BULLS, he was invisible on defense. The HAWKS got a year and a half out of him, but now its time to cut bait. They should make a play for Shane Battier to help on defense, in the locker room and shoot the three. They also should try to trade Marvin to the BLAZERS for Rudy Fernandez. Marvin has always played well when he’s on the west coast near home and Rudy wants out of Portland.
Dr. Warren
May 19th, 2011
2:05 pm
The Joe Johnson albatross contract was a surefire way to maintain the Hawks’s winning percentage for the short-term. If there is any clearer sign that the ASG wanted out, I don’t know what it could be. We’ll be reading a Bradley blog about the new owner within months, if not weeks.
Newbie
May 19th, 2011
2:09 pm
@ Slim
I agree with your Miller comment, if he would take less money, he would be a great fit (backup point gaurd, scorer and mentor). I also just looked up Sundiata Gaines and Ronnie Price player profiles and their FA information ($.7 million and $1.3 million) and I would take either of them too as our backup point gaurd.
What do you thaink about trying to signe Alexis Ajinca as one of our backup centers? He is 7′2″ and a FA.
tremaine
May 19th, 2011
2:09 pm
Let him walk and try to get Chandler. Bench Marvin and Hinrich and start Teague.
hmmmm......
May 19th, 2011
2:14 pm
Trade JJ to the cavs for the fourth pick. Trade marvin for anything.
Slim
May 19th, 2011
2:17 pm
@blackbee
“Yes you have to keep him. After what Miami and the Celtics did loading up on superstars,”
you can expect other teams to do it too.”
No, illogic how many superstars are there in the league? We all know where they are.
Kobe, Duncan, Ginobili: cannot stay on court long enough due to age 30 mpg. Rely on others.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade,
Dwight Howard, Kevin Love,
Chris Paul, might be traded to New York for a superstar
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook: Oklahoma City
Derrick Rose: Chicago
Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas
Pau Gasol: LA needs elite defenders and scorers around him
13 Zach Randolph, staying in Memphis
14 Tim Duncan
15 Blake Griffin, LAC;
Amare Stoudemire;Carmelo Anthony:
NYK. need center,PG,SG. Salary holds them back might be traded.
LaMarcus Aldridge, “Offense Rating < Defense Rating".
Gives up more than he generates. Slow and inconsistent inside out game"
19 Kevin Martin: can't play defense opposing players shoot 60% against him
20 Deron Williams: missed the playoffs needs superstars
*Yao Ming, 30 mpg; *Greg Oden, POR
Orlando is stuck in neutral with toxic contracts. Only LAC, NJN and NYK have chance to get superstars. NJN especially because of the draft.
"keeping Crawford is the only way this team stays a CONTENDER under the present senario"
LOL what u called ATL a contender?
No one is scared of the Hawks as is. Horford is not a superstar at either position at either end of the floor.
Josh is a small forward who regularly plays center and power forward for Larry Drew.
Marvin Williams is so uncoordinated his best games come as a 2 when all he has to do is jump and shoot over smaller guards.
cedrick da mailman
May 19th, 2011
2:21 pm
Hmmmm. I did not realize this team spending was going to cost us a decent player. I think they ask Joe j to restructure his deal for the better of the team if he says no then Jamal Crawford will be signed by the Miami Heat before the start of the next NBA season.
Slim
May 19th, 2011
2:26 pm
@Newbie
Alexis Ajinca is 7′2 but he is 230. He is too skinny and quite naturally incapable of defense.
Hasheem Thabeet is a better player who is 7′3 265 not a superstar but his size makes a large enough impact.
Houston (Rick Adelman) has not been playing him but a Marvin Williams trade for a center is not plausible because they already Shooting guards and are looking for a small forward and have no other young centers.
Would love that trade but still we have no backup power forward. As I said Milwaukee trade nets us 3 talented bigs for 1 PF/C and Hinrich/Williams.
Do it Atlanta only chance to win.
gunga din
May 19th, 2011
2:46 pm
none of these players are worth the kind of money they are paid. when are the owners going to wake up and smell the coffee. salaries are out of control because you have a few idiot owners who throw money around like its toilet paper. when the US economy finally does the big crash. lets see these prima dona thugs try to leave on a real salary.
freshd
May 19th, 2011
2:57 pm
If the HAWKS are looking for a big man they should make a play for Andray Blatche of the WIZARDS who would bring a low post skill set on offense and let AL move to PF full time. They also should draft Travis Leslie with their second round pick if he is still on the board. I doubt it because Nba.net has him going to the LAKERS at #41 and draftexpress,com has Leslie going in the first round to BOSTON at #25
James on Pharr Rd
May 19th, 2011
3:01 pm
There is only one scenario in which Jamal is signed to a contract next year, and this is with a sign and trade that brings worthy player(s) back to the Hawks.
Well, yeah!
May 19th, 2011
3:13 pm
Crawford is the best value of the century! Of couse, with the Heat loaded like they are, does it really matter?
Answer to Gunga din
May 19th, 2011
3:18 pm
none of these players are worth the kind of money they are paid. when are the owners going to wake up and smell the coffee. salaries are out of control because you have a few idiot owners who throw money around like its toilet paper. when the US economy finally does the big crash. lets see these prima dona thugs try to leave on a real salary.
The problem is not the owners. The problem is the fans. As long as people will buy the high priced tickets and build the teams nice arenas with tax payer money, it will continue. It’s the opposite of “If you build it, they will come”. “If you don’t come, they won’t build it”. This is what happens when you have a win at whatever it costs mentality.
BravesFan79
May 19th, 2011
3:26 pm
You know who would be a Great fit as coach for the Hawks… Don Nelson !! He is the ultimate coach of a small lineup, one that would use Horford as center and Smith as PF.
ATLtodolavida
May 19th, 2011
4:05 pm
David is right: we lose to the Magic without Jamal. Doing the simple math, it does look like we can’t afford to keep him. Or, to keep him we have to give up another big salary guy, which would be just as difficult.
ICECOLD
May 19th, 2011
4:11 pm
Ain’t no way somebody can be this stupid… so they have to have a master plan to pay people !!! If x+x+x+x=4 and u only have 4… and y gotta pay 4 people .. u can not give one player 3 !!!!!! This is kindergarten stuff !!!! This is crazy… so now the excuse for the hawks to stay the same is , we can’t afford to get better !! This doesn’t make any sense !!! You would think somebody out of the spirit group could count !!! Now I gotta finish college and try to be their accountent.. you want something done right u gotta do it your self !!!
Side note… trade Marvin Williams away, believe me… nobody will miss him… give him up for a expiring contract !!! And package him with somebody other then josh and Jeff teague !!! I promise life will be that much better once you get rid of the dead weight of Marvin Williams !!!
I seen this guy go on a one on one fast break multiple times and miss the lay up or lose the ball !! Wtf
HEY BRADLEY
May 19th, 2011
4:18 pm
@KelleyJennee –
HIMSELF. It’s HIMSELF. Not HISSELF.
BlahBlahBlah
May 19th, 2011
4:23 pm
Someone else will overpay for Crawford. He’s gone.
wxwax
May 19th, 2011
5:00 pm
I’m not sure it’s a static picture.
If the Hawks make a major trade (say, involving Josh Smith) the landscape could change.
Double Zero Eight
May 19th, 2011
6:32 pm
The Hawks cannot afford to keep Crawford! He has peaked
and is on his downward spiral. He is either hot or cold, and there
is usually no “in between” for him.
Nostrodamus
May 19th, 2011
6:39 pm
Jamal Crawford is taking his talents to Portland, Oregon
joey1
May 19th, 2011
6:43 pm
hawks need to trade marvin williams and al horford for andrew bogut and john salmons then sign al thorn for small forward pos.. that would fix our needs
new lineup- teague,johnson, al thorton,smith,bogut
bench – kirk,john salmons,wilkins,powel,zaza
joey1
May 19th, 2011
6:55 pm
samuel dalembert is a free agent this summer that would be a great defensive center , we could let jamal go trade m williams for a draft pick and sign him im agine
teague,johnson, smith, horford, dalebert,, what a huge backcourt we would defenitley not get out rebounded much anymore
ag
May 19th, 2011
7:48 pm
I really wish you guys will stop thinging about trades that are NEVER going to happen! We have a good core, with ONE rotten apple. Get rid of Marvin. We are a couple of role players away. Al will get better, and Josh will be better next year when he decides to stop shooting jumpers (or he is going to work at it this summer to improve even more).