Al Horford for Superman: Should the Hawks make that offer?
Switch the jerseys. Whaddaya think? (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Dwight Howard has said he’ll opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Otis Smith, Orlando’s general manager, has said he won’t trade Howard and believes the NBA’s best center can be persuaded to re-up with the Magic. Other NBA clubs won’t sit around and wait. They’ll make offers for Howard.
Should the Hawks make an offer?
They could make a tantalizing one: Al Horford and Kirk Hinrich for Howard and power forward Ryan Anderson. That’s an All-NBA center (third team) with a Florida background who’s under contract through 2016 for a reasonable $12 million per season and a useful guard whose contract expires in 2012. The Magic could make something of that.
Or this: Josh Smith and Marvin Williams for the same two Magic men. That’s two starters — we’ll say for the sake of argument that Williams still qualifies — who are 25 years old and who are under contract through at least 2013. That’s not bad, either.
If you’re Otis Smith and you’re facing the possibility of losing your franchise player for nothing — the Magic lost Shaquille O’Neal to the Lakers the same way, the announcement coming in the Reebok tent in downtown Atlanta the day before the 1996 Olympics opened — you’d have to listen. Even if you’d rather not trade Howard to a team in your division, wouldn’t you have to listen?
For the Hawks, the trickiest part wouldn’t be the trade but the follow-through. Even if he changed teams, Howard’s contract wouldn’t change: He’d still be eligible to exit next summer. That possibility would be even more chilling for the Hawks than for the Magic. Orlando would lose only Howard; the Hawks would lose Howard plus Horford/Smith and Hinrich/Williams.
The Hawks would be leveraging their future on this question: Could we, in one season’s time, convince Howard that his hometown is the place for him to win his championship and this is the organization that will commit all necessary resources toward the betterment of the team?
We can accuse the Magic of many things, but we can’t say they haven’t spent. Owner Rich DeVos paid nearly $90 million for his roster this past season, an outlay that, according to Zach McCann of the Orlando Sentinel, put the Magic fifth in all of sports in average salary per man. The top four clubs: Real Madrid and Barcelona of Spanish soccer, the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Magic have a new arena and played to 102.6 percent of capacity last season. The Hawks played to 83.6 percent of Philips Arena’s capacity, ranking 22nd among 30 NBA teams in average attendance. The Atlanta Spirit recently rid itself of the Thrashers, and money from the sale of the hockey club could mean that ownership might be willing to exceed the new luxury tax — it’s being debated in the NBA labor talks — to keep Howard.
Loading ...Howard is set to make $17 million next season. Whatever the new maximum number is, that’s what he’ll get. And if a team has Howard and Joe Johnson each making around $20 million — plus Horford/Smith at $12 or $13 million — you’ve put yourself in the Miami Heat class of salary imbalance. You’ve devoted three-fourths of your payroll to one-fifth of your roster.
Would Howard be worth such massive machinations? Yes. He has led the Magic to the NBA finals. He’s an offensive force, sure, and an even better defender and rebounder. But having Howard would require that the Hawks change their offense, which yielded little beyond jump shots last season, to a more post-oriented scheme. Could Is0-Joe co-exist with Superman? Would Josh Smith be given the freedom to roam on defense with an even bigger man behind him?
These are unknowns. What seems a given is that the Hawks as constituted aren’t any closer to the Eastern Conference finals, not with Derrick Rose in Chicago and Miami’s Big Three intact. (If Jamal Crawford leaves as a free agent, it might be Round 1 and done.) This trade would make the Hawks a real player in the East for the next 12 months, but it could turn into a one-year rental on the order of Mark Teixeira to the Braves with even worse ramifications.
But you out there who’ve clamored for the Hawks to be bold, to spend big (just not so big on Joe Johnson!) and to land a True Center above all … well, this would accomplish all of the above for at least a year. It would be daring, and general manager Rick Sund isn’t known for taking dares. But it would make the 2011-2012 Hawks worth watching, and it’d darn sure sell a few tickets.
By Mark Bradley
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190 comments Add your comment
Ken Strickland
June 21st, 2011
5:31 pm
If this was a sign and trade, it would require Howard’s approval, as well as the other players involved. To a certain extent, we should treat this as a sign and trade and find out if he’d consider signing an extension if we traded for him. Otherwise, you don’t put the future of your franchise at risk by making the trade.
It would be foolish to think they would accept a SF and PF in JSmith and MWilliams for Howard. It wouldn’t solve the big hole they’d create in the middle by trading Howard, especially since they’re currently without a backup center.
Thrasher Fan
June 21st, 2011
6:48 pm
Enter your comments here
Irrelevant. I will never spend a dime on Hawks or at Philips as long as ASG has any interest. It could be Rolling Stones concert for 1$ and I wouldn’t go. Here is hoping for a NBA work stoppage that financially bankrupts ASG.
tls
June 21st, 2011
6:56 pm
Forget Ryan Anderson. Horford, Hinrich and throw in a future # 1 for Howard. Why Horford? Remember, Smith and Howard are big buddies. Keeping Smith may entice Howard to stay. And, giving Joe a Batman (Superman?) and having Josh as the third gives you a mini Big Three. Add Teague, Marvin and Zaza and you have a team much deeper than Miami. The gamble would be worth taking.
yodaddy
June 21st, 2011
6:58 pm
To Ken Strickland
package Zaza Pachulia, Al Horford, Kirk Hinrich and Marvin
for Dwight Howard & 50 lunchboxes
yodaddy
June 21st, 2011
6:59 pm
Howard is a player you give up the whole team for.
If they could somehow keep Josh Smith and Joe Johnson to go along with Dwight Howard the Hawks would be the favorites not the Miami Heat.
RED ZONE 1
June 21st, 2011
7:06 pm
The only thing that makes sense is for the the Hawks to trade J Smoove to Washington for JaVale Mcgee and our pick back (18th overall). His contract is also expiring, in additon to the fact that he’s a legit, atheletic center, who does all the things that Josh does on the the defensive side of the ball. He’s only 25 yrs old and he won’t burn us on offensive with fast break turnovers and low percentage shots.
superiorblogman
June 21st, 2011
8:08 pm
Al Horford and Joe Johnson for Dwight Howard and Gilbert Arenas would make since for both parties. Dwight Howard would then sign a max deal like what Joe has, so there contracts would match but Joe would have one less year than Dwight so Orlando gets a break there. Arenas contract is horrible compared to Al Horford so Orlando catches a break there and get a much better player. Win Win for both teams don’t see how the Magic would do much better than that.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3kpx6vc
Orlando still a playoff team
Nelson
Joe
Turk
Bass
Horford
Atlanta not much better than the Magic
Teague
Hinrich
Marvin
Josh Smith
Dwight
Neither team would be any closer to the championship honestly, no one losses too bad and noone wins too much
feudfinder
June 21st, 2011
8:18 pm
Oh! We only count the playoff stats now. Is that the way statistics in college is done ? Please enlighten me. I see why Atlanta don’t attract players .They don’t tell the truth about players’ stats.
Chris
June 21st, 2011
8:25 pm
Josh Smith and Joe Johnson for Dwight and Turkoglu
rickytrooper
June 21st, 2011
9:49 pm
dont know if this true but saw this
OT: Josh Smith dealt to Orlando?
by Clincher on Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:20 pm
Supposedly according to this twitter tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/LindsayM_CSN/sta … 7674743808
ATL Gets:
F Ryan Anderson
G Jameer Nelson
C Daniel Orton
C Brandon Haywood
G Rodrique Borgeois
ORL Gets:
F Josh Smith
G Kirk Hinrich
DAL Gets:
F Marvin Williams
Magic’s defense is gonna be sick even if its for 1 season pending on what Dwight does
rickytrooper
June 21st, 2011
9:51 pm
supposedly not official as of yet who knows
http://twitter.com/#!/NBASource1
d.carter
June 21st, 2011
10:32 pm
who the heck thinks that AL HORFORD is untouchable? are you kidding
yodaddy
June 21st, 2011
11:32 pm
@rickytrooper
we aren’t trading Josh Smith for a pack of scrubs and bench players
yodaddy
June 21st, 2011
11:51 pm
@Redzone
lol @ “does all the things that Josh does on the the defensive side of the ball.”
How about Josh does what Javale McGee does better than Javale McGee AND also puts up buckets and can pass the ball, dribble etc. He’s a matchup nightmare.
That’s just a bad overall trade. Marvin averages more points than JaVale.
There is a God!!
June 22nd, 2011
2:39 am
This is a no brainer and an answer to a prayer. Wow. The hawks would be instant contenders!! Man, imagine JJ, Teague Crawford Smoove and Howard with role players like Mwilliam and Wilkens. I cant sleep!! Wow, that all I can say Wow!!
Make it happen!
tjhook
June 22nd, 2011
2:42 am
The Hawks need to make a deal for Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs; the Spurs want another big man to play beside Duncan before he retres. I recommend Al Horford, Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague for Parker, Richard Jefferson and F/C Matt Bonner.
The Hawks need to get Williams off the books because his style is not compatible with the Hawks’ offensive attack. Horford would be attractive because he possesses all-around ability that would not clash with Duncan and Ginobelli.
The Hawks need a leader. Johnson is not good at rallying the troops. Smith can be a knucklehead but with a celebrated point like Parker on the team, Smith may learn not to focus so much on his abilities and look to serve the team’s needs.
James
June 22nd, 2011
2:43 am
Josh Smith & Marvin Williams for Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson is idiotic noway Orlando would do that deal nobody want Marvin “Duck” Williams.
There is a God!!
June 22nd, 2011
2:45 am
I still cant sleep. Josh and Howard with JJ Teague and Crawford… Atlanta just got serious and catapults into the championship picture. Actually I think this may be the best team in the east with that combination. Who can beat us ?
Hell yes! Do it!!
There is a God!!
June 22nd, 2011
2:53 am
An All ATL front line with 2 of the best defenders in the game? you kidding me? LOL There would be no penetration, wed turn other teams to jump shooters. Wed have an GREEEAAATTT inside out side game, pick and rolls and you couldnt double team JJ Howard Or Josh. Wed be some bad mother shut yo mouths!!! LOL
AJC sells would go up, city pride would go up, commerce would go up, Hawks wins would go up the economy in the city would go up.
Josh and Howard have been playing together since high school and both are natives. Run it.
bilbo baggins
June 22nd, 2011
2:54 am
Horford who?
bilbo baggins
June 22nd, 2011
3:01 am
* Yes, but only if I knew Howard wouldn’t leave after a year. (47%, 762 Votes)
* Yes. (34%, 554 Votes)
* No. (19%, 301 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,617 yes votes = 1316 no vote = 301. Go get Howard!! thanks al now you can play defenselessly for the magic.
D-Man
June 22nd, 2011
3:12 am
Howard, Smoove, Crawford JJ teague
Collins powell williams wilkins pepe
Zaza
Championship Ring
Crabkilla
June 22nd, 2011
7:54 am
Don’t give up Horford. Trade Josh Smith.
All World
June 22nd, 2011
8:34 am
Joe Johnson and Zaza for Dwight Howard is most economical trade and will benefit both teams.
Bernard
June 22nd, 2011
8:40 am
Home boy come home and stay!!!!…NO RENTALS!!!…Braves were big losers on the Mark T fiasco!!
Fitz
June 22nd, 2011
10:43 am
Trade anyone on the roster (or the whole roster) but Horford.
Brian Stankich
June 22nd, 2011
11:00 am
Horford (good thinking) is the only player on the Atlanta roster the Magic would want. However, it would require at least a 3 for 1 for Howard. Two for one? Are you kidding? For the best center in the game, who is young, and dominant on both ends? Maybe if the two for one were Johnson and Horford. Maybe, but doubtful. How about Horford, Heinrich, Williams, and Teague? But you are right, the Magic would never trade within the division, esp. ATL and MIA. Dwight will not be traded, at least not this summer.
Mr. Mojo
June 22nd, 2011
11:01 am
Typical Hawks they are talking to the Magic but not about getting Howard but about helping them keep Howard by trading them josh Smith. Anyone see the Hawks getting mugged here cause I do.
http://ken-berger.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/11838893/30186974
Vic
June 22nd, 2011
11:12 am
Anyone that is thinking a combination of Josh Smith and Dwight Howard is a good thing is sorely mistaken. Everyone is overvaluing the talents of Josh Smith….the guy can play defense……that’s all he can do. He used to be a good scorer until he decided he was a jump shooter. And for everyone blaming ASG, the Hawks have been putting out a good product the last few years, but the fans never show up for games. If Joe Johnson hadn’t been resigned, do you think the Hawks would have gotten ANYONE in the free agency period. Ya, more than likely not. Josh Smith needs to be moved and yes a center is needed, And Jamal Crawford needs to be resigned. But if you are renting Howard for a year that solves only one issue which is possibly getting fans in the seats for next year. But what happens the year after that? And giving away your biggest asset in Al Horford would be a terrible mistake. But that’s just my thoughts.
nique
June 22nd, 2011
11:13 am
Hasn’t Howard already said he wouldn’t sign with ATL?
mel
June 22nd, 2011
11:17 am
Here I come again to save the day! Listen people..if you dont think the man wants to come home you’re kidding yourself. Him and Josh spoke on it several times through out the years (Do your research) him and Josh want to play together! So trading Josh would be out the question. Second yes JJ’s contract is crazy, but yall are looking at it in the wrong way. What they should be asking him is to take a pay cut to help them bring in a player like Dewight like the boys from the heat did to play together for a chance to play for a championship. Now will he do it is another thing.Three you can’t trade away JJ as much as yall hate him the man is the second best 2guard in the east behind Dwade point blank period!!!! And if you trade away JJ who do we have at the 2 guard spot, unless you then move Marvin there. I do believe he can play the position but it would be a tall task. But you dont trade away good 2 guards in this league unless you have a Dame good Small Forward and we dont. If we did trade Ali for Howard, we would be able to keep Josh at the 4. We would have a more dynamic team though it sounds real good. Real Real GOOD!!! I think we are Forgetting one thing though and that is the impact that Teague is going to have on our team next year…. I will tell you that, he alone is going to make the Team look and feel alot different. More diff than you can imagine even more than in the playoffs because he will have a FULL Season of starting under his belt. But that if the Coaching staff dont mess this up.. I would like to see us go get Jeff Van Gundy though I think thats the Coaching Direction we need to move inn
ryan
June 22nd, 2011
11:41 am
What about Vince Carter who is going to be waived and still talk about OJ Mayo being shopped .
mmixon
June 22nd, 2011
12:22 pm
I say make the Marvin and Josh deal work. Make it work front office. You have constantly proven yourselves inept by oversigning a glorified role player who wants to be a 2nd option, mortgaging the future for a washed up combo guard when Derron Williams was on the market.
Do us all in Atlanta a favor. Either make this work, or get the heck out of the way before the Atlanta Hawks become the Canadian Moose. If that happens, at least we’ll be stuck with two teams with competent front offices.
superiorblogman
June 22nd, 2011
12:53 pm
http://ken-berger.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/11838893/30186974
So, this talk of giving Josh away for nothing to the Magic is real. The Hawks are the worse run organization in professional sports and Rick Sund is hell bent on solidifying his status as the worse GM ever
YES!
June 22nd, 2011
4:45 pm
Definitely that would be the move of the decade. What a great team and chemistry. NO one demanding to play any position and all the pieces fitting together. That would be a very very talented team. That team of JJ Teague Crawford Smoove and Howard get to the championship no doubt and Im sure all these guys like each other.
Make it happen.
YES!
June 22nd, 2011
4:47 pm
Thanks for the lack of defense Al horford
ICECOLD
June 22nd, 2011
6:37 pm
marvin al horford and sign and trade for jamal crawford for dwight howard and ryan anderson !!
that way we can start
jeff teague
joe johnson
josh smith
ryan anderson
dwight howard
and bench would be
kirk ( six man )
pap sy
damien wilkins
magnum rolle
zaza pachulia
hilton armstrong , jason collins, and who ever our second round pick is!!! thats only a little bit over the luxery tax.. it might not be over the luxacry tax at all.!!! but we do need to draft a pure 3 point shooter!!! somebody who is known for just shooting 3’s off pick and rolls and catch and shoot!!!
that is pure defense.. and great offense.. but I think we need a new head coach who tries to go inside more then a motion offense!!
bnut
June 22nd, 2011
8:04 pm
If the hawks front office get rid of josh before moving horford I will have to really question whats going on with these guys. To me it’s clear cut who the better more intense more money player is. In the platoffs the only players from the hawks showing some real heart were Teauge Hinrick and more than any one else Josh. Say what you will but Horford was intimidated and and did not show up in the playoffs when being guarded by a smaller boozer and he is suppose to be a allstar. He was decent but a allstar cause of the lack at the center position in the leauge. If the Hawks want to move a contract It has to be Horford or Joe really Josh is the player giving you the most for your money and filling the arena.
djmase
June 24th, 2011
12:17 am
HAHA.. this is unbelievable. There is noone on the Hawks, or any package of players on the Hawks, or enough draft picks, cash, or future considerations that Orlando would even consider for Howard. Not to mention it is a division rival. What a joke article this is. It cant be serious.. lol.. Horford and Hinrich for Howard AND Anderson??? hahahahahahahhahahaaha
ICECOLD
June 24th, 2011
9:46 am
marvin williams has 2 years left on a reasonable contract and can come off the bench for any team.. so he is tradeable.. I dont know if we can get talent for him but we can package him with somebody for a trade … al horford is getting all this praise so if we trade him now we can get dwight howard if they are afraid they are going to lose him… he wouldnt want to come here without josh smith being here. that wouldnt make any sense.! ! kirk hinrich has a nine million expiring contract, thats attractive to people.. we just drafted a decent back up big man who could be a starter one day… so if you have to throw zaza in that trade with for dwight howard!!! al horford zaza , and marvin williams and kirk if you have too for DWIGHT HOWARD , RYAN ANDERSON and CASH! !!!!
then we can spend the cash on Jamal Crawford contract!!!