Joe Johnson? Gone. Marvin? Gone. Danny Ferry? A keeper
A week later, the Atlanta Hawks have been transformed. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
It took Danny Ferry a week to turn a franchise going nowhere into one with room again to grow. It took him a week to reach an agreement to send Joe Johnson to the Nets for a bunch of guys whose principal value rests in the expiration dates on their contracts. It took this general manager a week to ship Marvin Williams, enduring symbol of opportunity squandered, to Utah.
To follow the Hawks is to expect the worst, which means the initial response to this watershed Johnson deal was to figure it would be overturned on some technicality. Maybe we shouldn’t be fatalistic. At the rate Ferry is moving, he might be able to convince the NBA to replay the final seconds of Game 6 against Boston from 1988, and make it so that Dominique Wilkins (and not Cliff Levingston) takes the last shot this time.
A week ago we wondered if/when Ferry would dare to tamper with the Core Four. On Day 1 of Week 2, we got our answer. Ferry gored the Core without having to deal either Josh Smith or Al Horford, and by offloading Johnson he turned this capped-out club into one with a hangar’s worth of financial headroom.
Shedding Johnson’s contract was the only way the Hawks could get better. He makes $20 million per season, which is roughly one-third of what the NBA allows to fund an entire roster. It’s one thing if your $20-million-man is Kobe Bryant, but Johnson, over the two years since he re-upped, has sunk to being third-best among Hawks.
There are two wonders at play: That the plodding Hawks would find a GM bold enough to do what needed doing, and that he’d find such a willing partner. But the Nets are moving to a new arena in Brooklyn and they’re coming off a 22-win season and they’re looking to compete with the Knicks and Linsanity in their big-city marketplace, so they need someone of substance to pair with Deron Williams.
They’re also the property of a Russian named Mikhail Prokhorov, who is rated by Forbes the 57th-richest man in the world. Thus did super-sleuth Ferry identify the only NBA owner who could look on Johnson’s contract and not hurl.
Let’s not kid ourselves. There’s every chance the Hawks will be worse, basketball-wise, next season. On talent, a slightly diminished Johnson is still better than anyone the Nets are slated to send here. (Poor Marvin, however, won’t be missed. He might have been the league’s least essential starter.) That’s how the NBA works: To get better, you must get lucky in the draft or spend big in free agency, and the Hawks were positioned to do neither.
It wasn’t all his fault, but Johnson had become the flashpoint for Hawk failings. He wasn’t quite as good as they needed him to be, and his contract kept them from hiring better players to put around him. (Let’s not fault him for signing what was proffered. You would’ve, too.) But Johnson didn’t endear himself to fans, and it’s never a marketing plus when your biggest name is a sourball.
Neither was it Williams’ fault that Billy Knight chose him over Deron Williams and Chris Paul in 2005. But Marvin played so long here — seven full seasons — to so little effect that it became impossible to watch him without thinking of the point guard not taken. And that, sad to say, was just like the Hawks: They’d whiff in the lottery, and they’d hand Johnson a new $120 million deal at the time they planned to de-emphasize his Iso-Joes.
The Hawks had come to occupy a terrible place: The team as constituted had gone as far as it could, and without cap room there was little hope for tomorrow. Now there is. The Hawks will have money to spend next summer, when Dwight Howard and the aforementioned Chris Paul figure to be free agents. The team with no future just traded for one.
And the new man in charge? Well, he’s in charge. In four years as Hawks GM, the best move Rick Sund made was to trade for the sixth man Jamal Crawford. In seven days, his successor has halved the Core Four and moved the immovable contract. Which would seem to make Danny Ferry an irresistible force.
By Mark Bradley
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309 comments Add your comment
Sold Out Philips Arena
July 2nd, 2012
9:01 pm
Ferry has done all he’s needed to do. He got rid of our two worst contracts. Now it’s up to J Smoove to convince Dwight to sign here in the offseason. I have a feeling the fans would come out to watch these guys. Joe Johnson killed this team’s chemistry. That’s the reason Smoove wanted out. The Hawks wanted to run n gun and be an up-tempo team but lazy Joe wouldn’t allow it.
With a potential lineup of Teague, some SG, Smoove, Horford and Howard I don’t see how you couldn’t get excited. Just that backcourt alone is championship caliber.
Wolverine
July 2nd, 2012
9:01 pm
@Mark..Rumors are circulating now that the Hawks are going after Howard and the piece they are allegedly dangling is Dwight Howard.
Sold Out Philips Arena
July 2nd, 2012
9:01 pm
I meant frontcourt, not backcourt.
cory dillinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
The people on this blog don’t seem to understand cap room means nothing if you can’t sign free agents remember the summer of Lebron Knicks had tons of cap room and could only get Stoudamire Bulls could only get Boozer to go with Derrick Rose. Forget about dwight Howard he has said he hates the hawks but we can hope and pray that we get lucky in the lottery but if we do that pick will probably leave like most stars do ie Chris Paul Deron Williams Lebron James
jlewis
July 2nd, 2012
9:03 pm
Bradley, did you ever think the Hawks ownership brought in Ferry to essentially run this franchise like the bobcats, under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams will make money. This is a salary dump to make money over the next 6 years and sell the team and move it in the process. You all my friends are being suckered. The numbers do not add up, fans dont show up with a winner, they are not going to show up on maybe. Dwight Howard couldnt win in Orlando, Chris Paul is not leaving Blake Griffin, if anything he will try and convince Dwight to go to LA.
This team will be in franchise purgatory for at least 5 years, in that time, Josh, who plays on athleticism will have declined, Al would be beaten up from playing Center. Additionally, NO ONE WANTS TO COME TO THE HAWKS.
jdawg
July 2nd, 2012
9:05 pm
do you have a like for that rumor Brilliant?
cory dillinger
July 2nd, 2012
9:07 pm
ì just hope all the people that wanted to break up the core will be down at Philips rooting on this 30-52 team and please don’t complain about the team because this what you wanted
steve brown
July 2nd, 2012
9:08 pm
Did this all just happen or do I have heat stroke?
Change = good
July 2nd, 2012
9:10 pm
We will still make the playoffs and lose in first round like we did last year. The difference is that we can get WAY better after next season.
Keno
July 2nd, 2012
9:11 pm
I’m loving this! Ferry is the MAN!!!
Jaded Hawks Fan
July 2nd, 2012
9:12 pm
What a great day to be a Hawks fan. Ferry has done more in one day to move this franchise forward than Sund did in four years. I wasn’t sure if either Joe or Marvin COULD be moved – to get rid of both of them in a few hours doesn’t even seem possible.
All this salary-shedding could be for naught if the Hawks whiff next summer in the free agent market, but we’ll worry about that later. Today is a day to be celebrated, because the Hawks, for the first time in a VERY long time, have hope as a franchise.
elroy
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
while atl is getting rid of baggage. trade mark bradley & steak shapiro for a journalist to be named later.
rmgators
July 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
Mark – are these done deals??? Seems too good to be true…
Hustlehats
July 2nd, 2012
9:16 pm
I imagine Marvin Williams is as glad to leave Atlanta as Bradley and others are to see him go. When Joe Johnson arrived, Williams opportunitites decreased as the Hawks increasingly favored perimeter shots. Factor in Josh Smith and the Hawks inability to field a strong point guard and it is no wonder that Willams’ minutes and stats diminished. In retrospect, it would be nice to have taken Chris Paul instead of Williams, but at the time Williams did not seem such a bad selection. I believe playing for the Hawks has been a significant factor in his lack of success. Let’s see how he does in Utah. I’m willing to bet he will more successful there than here.
Pete Babcock
July 2nd, 2012
9:19 pm
Worst deal for Atlanta since Wilkins for Manning. Welcome to the next several lotteries.
welikebaseball2
July 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
@tyger: “Arena half empty with” a *regular season* “winner” (with no superstar) destined for an early playoff exit…
Brilliant
July 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
Jdawg, Bill Simmons tweeted it about 45 minutes ago. He then tweeted amazement that the Hawks traded two contract years of Marvin for one year of Devin Harris. Ferry has so far been outstanding.
welikebaseball2
July 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
@jlewis: Oh well, I guess all hope’s lost. Sounds like you need to find a new team to root for.
Truck Robinson
July 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
Mark , this may be the best Hawks article you’ve written since you have been here. Amazing how many G.M.s are in this thread. Why did we wait on Ferry?
PMC
July 2nd, 2012
9:29 pm
Next step, convincing the Spirit group to sell out to a Saudi Millionaire.
juice sourcer
July 2nd, 2012
9:33 pm
That’s very, very impressive what Ferry has done.
Jfreak13713
July 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
I believe Ferry and the Hawks are trying to put themselves in position to counter the BIG THREE in Miami. IF and it’s is a big if, but if they can work a deal for Howard that would be very appealing to Chris Paul who would then have a big three of Paul, Howard, and Smith. Might not be Lebron and company but it’s close. Even if it doesn’t work out quite so well I suspect the Hawks a year from now will be much better than they were a month ago. Thank You Danny Ferry!
HAWKFAN
July 2nd, 2012
9:34 pm
People calm down! Yes the Hawks are making good moves right now by shredding salary, but understand that this team will lose more games next year and probably will compete for the 8 playoff spot. As realistic fans we have to accept that because it is a part of the rebuilding process. Next years draft will have some really good players, but the Hawks dont have to spend the money on any free agents this year or next year. they can wait until they get the better FA market. I like what this team will look like 3 to 4 years from now. We are looking at major rebuilding projects for at least 3 years. I can accept that.
jlewis
July 2nd, 2012
9:35 pm
baseball, I cant leave now, this is a train wreck I have to watch. The hawks are not making the playoffs, the problem on this team is Josh Smith, if Ferry builds around him and Al, it will be to much fun to watch, lol.
Civil Unrest
July 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
Now to take out the garbage owners. ASG = DUNG FECES
Harry Hawk
July 2nd, 2012
9:36 pm
…and they’d hand Johnson a new $120 million deal at the time they planned to de-emphasize his Iso-Joes.
This is exactly what I thought at the time Joe signed that contract. What kind of Mickey Mouse operation would do something like that? How inept can an ownership be?
What did Danny Ferry do to these guys to make them see the error of their ways? We should all be so lucky to learn such wondrous Jedi mind-tricks.
Jfreak13713
July 2nd, 2012
9:37 pm
Next, is Phil Jackson in Atlanta by any chance?
Fredi G.
July 2nd, 2012
9:37 pm
Got to tip your cap to Ferry! Excellent moves getting rid of JJ and Muffin Williams. JJ did all he could and he will be missed but we needed to free the team from his salary. Marvin was a disappointment , but cannot be blamed for our inability to progress. If our goal is to win a championship then these moves allowed a possibility for that in the future. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line and these moves allow for a shorter distance. We are a long way off from a contender, but a good start.
Najeh Davenpoop
July 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
Too soon to say best GM in Atlanta? Maybe not…
Peanut gallery
July 2nd, 2012
9:43 pm
No more Iso-Joes.
No more Marvin Williams the man always remember for being drafted ahead of CP3 and Deron Williams. Missed on Andrew Bynum but at least a couple other teams made the same mistake.
Can Ferry get Josh to stop shooting those jumpers that makes everyone slap their forehead with their palm?
Even if the Hawks stink this year who cares? There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.
Beats the chronic paper bag over the head strategy the Hawks have been using for years.
rich
July 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
Now let Ferry take over for Wren with the Braves so he can clean house there also
BubbaDaBaller
July 2nd, 2012
9:51 pm
You called it last week…and I dissed you and the new GM…I might be wrong…long time between now and when the deal can be done (7-11-2012)…Let’s see if it really happens…
cpsman_atlanta
July 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
Danny Ferry forgot to trade the owners, too. That way, we’ll get all the free agents, because no one wants to play for Atlanta $prirt Group. BOYCOTT ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP AND THE HAWKS!!!! LONG LIVE THE THRASHERS!!!!
heat check
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
Best. Day. Ever.
Some of these posters would complain if it rained 24 carat gold flakes tomorrow morning. DF just rescued the Hawks’ sinking ship in one week on the job. I couldn’t be happier with him.
Any chance NBA GM’s oversee broadcast booth moves? If so, Nique’s days are nimbered.
THANK YOU!!!!!!
July 2nd, 2012
9:59 pm
Thank you soooooo much Danny!!! Mark is right. I couldnt watch Marvin play without throwing up in my mouth just a little every time. And Joe? Take your overpayed, no passing, choke in the playoffs a## on!!!
Mark Bradley's Fan Club
July 2nd, 2012
10:02 pm
Fantastic move by Ferry. We’d seen what this team could do–good, but not going anywhere. And there was nowhere to turn with that JJ contract. To pull of a trade of JJ, as opposed to building flexibility with trading Josh or Horford– wow. Big time wow. Now the Hawks can get some other pieces if they want. This could end up being two-for-one– two players close to JJ’s caliber (ultimately), or one-for-one– a real superstar player for JJ. Nothing against JJ; not his fault that he was overpaid; who would say “no?”; but this gives the Hawks a huge opportunity to get better, and they STILL have their two best players over the last 2 years on the roster.
Can you tell I’m impressed?
Artman
July 2nd, 2012
10:03 pm
Did the ASG actually sign Danny Ferry? I dreamed they did and he traded both Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams. Am I really awake or am I still just dreaming?
NJ Dawg
July 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
On paper, this makes the Hawks much worse next year, albeit with a lot of room to grow. I just hope the fans don’t get impatient. I fully expect the Hawks to be bad next year, as Ferry’s officially decided to blow things up and rebuild. That’s gonna take some time.
That said, he got rid of the two players he needed to offload, and it’s great news that it only took him a couple of weeks to see what Sund never could, i.e. that this team’s ceiling would never be higher than the second round of the playoffs.
NorCal Brave
July 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
rich, you said it perfectly. Braves need new blood, starting from the top!
Mark Bradley's Fan Club
July 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
Incidentally, I’m less impressed by the Williams trade, though I do like Devin Harris– except that the Hawks have Jeff Teague, who has performed well the last year and a half. I have a sneaking suspicion that Williams could have a breakout season next year– for the Jazz. Oh well.
ZACK
July 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
FERRY FOR PRESIDENT! THE TEAM WAS DESTINED TO FINISH A 4-8 SEED AND GET BOUNCED FROM THE PLAYOFFS EVERY YEAR WITH. TIME TO REBUILD AND MAKE SMART LOTTERY PICS! FERRY YOU ARE THE MAN!!!
Erik
July 2nd, 2012
10:04 pm
Don’t go overboard. I’m happy about what he’s done so far but let’s see what type of team he puts together.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall for Ferry’s meeting with Josh. I have a feeling Ferry’s going to be very frank with Josh and tell him some things he probably doesn’t want to hear. It’s going to be necessary for Josh to change his ways if he wants to remain with the franchise.
Skeezix
July 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
Ferry is doing what has to be done to start over and build for future success. I’m glad he is not wasting time in doing what needs to be done.
Chief Nocahoma
July 2nd, 2012
10:09 pm
I don’t see why everyone is assuming the Hawks will be worse off basketball-wise next season. Marvin was pretty much irrelevant, and JJ was so inconsistent you never knew what you were gonna get. I hated watching all those Iso-Joes that ended with a bad shot clanging off the iron. Let Josh Smith get more touches, and with a healthy Al Horford, I don’t see why we can’t win MORE games next season than this one.
Braves Fans
July 2nd, 2012
10:11 pm
Our team needs a shake up too. Could we borrow Danny Ferry for a few weeks?
IceColdATLien
July 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm
Realize this y’all: Ferry ain’t done. He may not be able to pull off another trade, but he’ll damn sho try… which is about all I can ask.
As for grading what he’s done thus far, I’ll just say it’s exactly what I would’ve done (more or less). Nicely done, Danny-Boy
playmeortrademe
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
If Ferry pulls off the unthinkable and gets Chris Paul and Dwight Howard in here next year to go with Horford, Josh, Jeff, and Jenkins, then I may actually go to a Hawks game for once in my life. That’s a ridiculously good team that would compete for a championship. I can’t believe ASG actually did something right.
JacketFanMarcus
July 2nd, 2012
10:14 pm
In 2 years, when the blown up team don’t make the playoffs and attendance is WAY down, we gonna wish for the good ole days….
Deftone20
July 2nd, 2012
10:16 pm
How many championships did we win with Joe and Marvin? How many times did people groan when Joe dribbled out the shot clock only to heave up a desperation ill-advised jumper while the rest of the team stood around and watched? I liked Joe and will miss him but he was not leading us anywhere. Kudos DF for unloading the horrible salary. We may not be great this year but would we have been great with Joe and Marvin? Don’t think so…..
Bruce
July 2nd, 2012
10:18 pm
Did Danny Ferry win a championship? You know he didn’t so why the fuss?