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
GTanner
July 3rd, 2012
7:59 am
What a great gift for a Hawks fan. Thank you Danny Ferry. Too bad he wasn’t here before Drew awas re-upped. But, at least now, there is hope.
GTanner
July 3rd, 2012
8:02 am
Josh, Horford and Teague are not scrubs. Zaza is a respectable big. We’ve got pieces, now Ferry can add pieces around them. It’s a good day to be a Hawks fan.
shootoutloss
July 3rd, 2012
8:02 am
So, the main reason the Thrashers folded is now gone. Thanks, ASG!
WnE
July 3rd, 2012
8:08 am
Josh Smith is the problem with the Hawks, his immaturity has been the problem with the Hawks from Day-1 since he was drafted.
The guys that got moved were traded because of the money/contracts, but Josh causes crappy play on the court and hurts the team more than the 2 guys that got traded.
WnE
July 3rd, 2012
8:08 am
Josh Smith is the problem with the Hawks, his immaturity has been the problem with the Hawks from Day-1 since he was drafted.
The guys that got moved were traded because of the money/contracts, but Josh causes crappy play on the court and hurts the team more than the 2 guys that got traded.
Erik
July 3rd, 2012
8:16 am
Looking at this very simply, the Hawks have 2 players under contract beyond next season – Horford (3 more yrs, 12 million per yr) and Teague (1 yr, 3.5 million – qualifying offer…whatever that means). This gives Ferry incredible flexibility to shape this team however he wants.
My estimation is that he doesn’t want Josh unless Josh changes the type of player he is (fewer long range jump shots, no more pretending to be a point forward, less time spent complaining on the court, less time spent complaining off the court, etc). And I’d be willing to bet a good bit of cash that he has absolutely no interest in Dwight Howard and all his baggage.
I think he’s going to try to fill the team with team oriented players. And it may take some time. So be patient.
Really?
July 3rd, 2012
8:19 am
Be careful what you wish for… as I’ve said across the last few years, when we last blew up the team, until yesterday, this is what we got. The first year of the blow up we won 13 whole games. The second year we doubled it to 26. I think we added 10 more the next year and then the past 5 or so seasons. If you think 13K fans are few wait until we are in mid March trying to get to double digit wins.
Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr (A Great American)
July 3rd, 2012
8:22 am
first on page 5?
Good for Danny. Nice to see he learned some basketball stuff while at Duke!
Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr (A Great American)
July 3rd, 2012
8:29 am
Now.. if he can just have the ASG (Atlanta Sports Goobers) stay out of his way and let him continue rebuilding the team… maybe we have a shot at turning things around.
Mike Vick Was Framed
July 3rd, 2012
8:30 am
Anyone who thinks we just “blew up the team” by getting rid of a ballhog and a balldog and replacing them with half a dozen moving parts and a 1st round draft pick and a crapload of capspace is out of their freaking mind.
This is called addition by subtraction. We have the talent to spread out Joe’s production among the players left on the court. Grow a set, will you?
Rodster
July 3rd, 2012
8:31 am
Good call on Ferry’s part. Sheesh. I can’t believe it took this long to make that move on Joe Johnson. Good guy, nice game, but not a franchise player.
Native Son
July 3rd, 2012
8:34 am
I will hold off on my flex package for now. Let’s see where this goes first.
Danny Ferry blows up the Hawks
July 3rd, 2012
8:40 am
[...] local media seems pretty happy with Ferry’s demolition act in Atlanta as he dumped Joe Johnson and his monster salary on the Brooklyn Nets. It took Danny [...]
St. Bernard
July 3rd, 2012
8:41 am
Been a Hawks fan for awhile. Hoping for FAs is not a good plan.
Sanjeev
July 3rd, 2012
8:42 am
Iso Joe has the 3rd? highest paying contract in the NBA, problem is he isn’t even one of the top 20 players in the league. Good riddance!!
JROLL1
July 3rd, 2012
8:42 am
WHEN WILL THE STATUE OF DANNY FERRY BE ERECTED IN FRONT OF PHILLIPS ARENA!???
Dunk Da Punk
July 3rd, 2012
8:48 am
Trade Al Horford. Some of you bloggers are just plain stupid. If he plays the entire series against the Celtics we win . With him, Dwight Howard, and Josh Smith you have a nucleus that can beat the Heat, Lakers or for that matter anyone potentially in the playoffs. But J.Smoove must realize that he’s a beast when he drives to the basket. He’s got to quit shooting the long range jump shot. Who besides me wanted to reach through the TV and bitch slap him for taking that 3 point shot with the game on the line . The Hawks win the series with the Celtics if he drives to the basket. If big D would sign with the Hawks we become a Championship quality type team. GOOOOOOO HAWKS.
Sammy Hagar
July 3rd, 2012
8:50 am
If Hawks can keep two of the players they got from Nets as reserves it was still great to trade a number 40 talent player making top 5 money and get a 2013 1st rnd pick! Its ok to struggle this year to make your team good for next 10 years.
HawksFan
July 3rd, 2012
8:51 am
I highly doubt we will get cp3 or D12. There needs to be more good players added to the roster also because these guys from NJ are terrible.
Sammy Hagar
July 3rd, 2012
8:54 am
I like Horford at PF. Ferry will get Hawks a big center finally. The Nets fans are gonna get to see JJ score 35 then 8 points and know our frustration with him…
Mike S.
July 3rd, 2012
8:56 am
I really am shocked Ferry was able to pull this off. Then again, the Nets appear to still be convinced they can get Howard and Williams after trading for JJ, but it looks like they pretty much have to send away the rest of the team except for Gerald Wallace to get it done as well as forfeit their draft for the next several years. That could be a problem with depth, but I guess its worth a shot if they can keep Howard.
joe
July 3rd, 2012
8:56 am
now lets get a superstar
jlewis
July 3rd, 2012
8:58 am
Danny Ferry is no genius, he screwed up Cleveland, if he couldnt get players around Lebron, there isnt a Lebron here, so why come, Hawks had money before, no one came, Tree said a full arena and merchandise sales, dude, they didnt sell it out when Niq was here. The demographics show most people that can afford to go to games arent from ATL and dont identify with the team, therefore, low attendance. Has anyone noticed, even if you build through the draft, the players are young and most take years to develop. JJ wasnt the problem, look who they put around dude, the bench was always horrible and dude had to guard 1,2, and 3, plus play 40+ minutes. But anyway, big trouble coming.
Rollo
July 3rd, 2012
8:58 am
Congrats to the Hawks for starting their new future today with an eye on championships. Ferry has set his own bar pretty high now. On the other end, Schuerputz stated Braves’ goal for 15 years was ‘division’ titles. He should have blown up team in the early 2000’s and saved us from 9 pathetic first round exits.
Hawks_4_life
July 3rd, 2012
8:59 am
@John, I agree.
Jony Matt
July 3rd, 2012
9:03 am
Great moves by Ferry! The Hawks maxed out on the core four three years ago. If Sund had any guts he wouldn’t have resigned Johnson two years ago (wasted money). Marvin has been a bust from day one. The next one to move is Josh Smith. His game is too erratic. The Lakers want him….send him out there for Gasol. The Hawks will probably be the 7th or 8th seed this coming year in the playoffs with all these moves. But the will be in prime position to pick off some key free agents next year that could have them competing for a top spot in the east. Great moves!!!
superiorblogman
July 3rd, 2012
9:07 am
I am looking forward to the next move. Josh Smith needs to go but I don’t see him bringing us back a starting SF or C. That is going to be the tough test for Ferry. Anyone can give stuff away let’s see him make a deal that get’s us a real starting Center.
Chris B
July 3rd, 2012
9:09 am
Ironic that the Basketball player that started the chain of events that led to the Thrashers relocation is now leaving town himself….
haha
July 3rd, 2012
9:24 am
Folks danny ferry sucks. This guy could not make it happen with Lebron and you jokers think he can make it work with josh?
Your coach hasn’t done squat and you think NBA stars want to move to the A. have you folks not watched how you are portrayed on t.v?
The NBA is a league built strictly on talent. No talent no wins. Ask Doc Rivers. Ask Dwayne Wade what it was like playing after the championship team was dismantled.
You traded a six time all star away and did not get any all stars back. The two most talented teams made it to the finals and the four most talented teams made it to the conference finals.
Besides, NBA players just want to hang out in Atlanta not play here. why don’t folks understand this?
Atlanta is the last destination for an NBA legend or any great athlete for that matter. You folks just do not realize it.
NY, LA, Boston, Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia, D.C. San Fran are way ahead of ATL. OKC was built through the draft. They stunk for three straight years and got lucky three straight years.
Matt
July 3rd, 2012
9:26 am
The hawks are not going to go after any free agents any time soon. This was just a way for the Hawks to Free up pay roll in order to sell the team. In a couple of years the Hawks will have a once again depleted fan base and will move out of Atlanta just like what this ownership did to the Thrashers.
iBALL
July 3rd, 2012
9:31 am
Take the loses now knowing that the future will be brighter!! I can pull my Hawks stuff back out now. Great job Danny!!
salttruck
July 3rd, 2012
9:46 am
The JJ move, albeit celebrated by many, leaves the team with nothing for next season (except hopes for the 2013 season). I didn’t like the JJ contract, but you had to do it at the time to keep the 2nd round playoff team intact. Now, it will be interesting to see how patient we all are when we begin to miss the 20pts / game and double teams that JJ caused which left open shots for others. Without the double teams on JJ or a JJ calibre player, the hawks are not a playoff team – especially with Charlotte and the Nets improving their rosters. Always be careful what you strongly wish for….DHoward would be great back in Atlanta, but with JJ gone and the strong possibility that you will have to include Teague and Horford in the package, that leaves DHoward and Josh….meaning Josh will be 3/4 and forced to the outside (where everyone cringes) as to not clog up the middle for superman.
Overall, the trades are a strategic move by the GM in the first 30 days and a no lose situation for him, but patience will be needed myself and other season tix holders and generic Atl fans. I remember the stretches of no playoff games and was not happy then, but relatively “happier” when we were on national television and a consistent 1st / 2nd round playoff team.
creative
July 3rd, 2012
9:46 am
haha… you are right. We are wrong. Thanks for your insight. Do you have Doc’s and Wade’s phone #s so I can call them and ask them about talent. You must have an MBA because your business mind is through the roof.
salttruck
July 3rd, 2012
9:50 am
One more thing, the Nets will be competing for the eastern conference ship next season if DWill signs – even without DHoward…not getting legit NBA players (healthy) for an undisputed all star is not good for the fans….good for the GM because he is here long-term (5+ years). It’s years 1-4 that the fans will suffer and be calling for Ferry’s head after year 2….unless LBJ wants to reunite with him.
salttruck
July 3rd, 2012
9:56 am
Talent = best player in the game + top 5-7 in the game + top 15-20 big man in the game (heat)
Talent = top 1-2 PG in the game + top 10 scorer in the game + top 15-20 big man in the game + top 5 shooter in the game (celts)
Hawks don’t even come close and are even farther away now…you can have 8 no names plus 3-4 of the best players in the world and have a championship calibre / contending team….not have 11-12 no names and one all-star…..The “T” word is relative and applicable on a team by team basis!
JayD
July 3rd, 2012
9:57 am
Hawks won’t sniff the post season for a good 5 yrs! RIP
JayD
July 3rd, 2012
9:59 am
Danny Ferry sucks….. You all will agree in a couple of years!
Delbert D.
July 3rd, 2012
10:01 am
Dwight Howard is quoted on ESPN that he is interested in exactly 1 team, and that is the Nets.
T DOG
July 3rd, 2012
10:04 am
You guys are so funny! Just because he can trim a roster full of bad money doesn’t mean that he knows what he’s doing. All teams are jockeying for position financially because of the luxury tax implications. Nobody wants to shell out more luxury tax than they have to, and this is a way to do it. However, I will reserve my judgement until he can get some quality players and the team starts winning big games. That’s his achilles heel to me because of what happened in Cleveland.
Joey
July 3rd, 2012
10:04 am
I’m excited about the Hawks future. Below is a good read – expands on Marks good points a little. It says the Hawks will have the cap space be in the running for BOTH Howard and Paul.
Just think about that, Hawks fans. BOTH.
At any rate, Mark, I’d like to see that poll again of which ATL pro sports team is the closest to a Title.
I think with Ferry in charge, it has to be the Hawks now.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/danny-ferry-deals-marvin-williams-utah-continuing-much-003619290–nba.html;_ylt=AhNF_WGGM3tLGtj5pp3agik5nYcB
haha
July 3rd, 2012
10:07 am
creative I am a HS dropout
Big E
July 3rd, 2012
10:10 am
Keep in mind Howard is coming off the back injury and won’t be ready at the start of the season. We need shooters if we are going to compete against the defenses of Chicago, Miami, and Boston. Smith at 3 scares me a little because of this. Morrow and Jenkins need to stay. Even if we don’t get Howard or CP3, we have flexibility to get better with other FA’s. We’re still a 40 win team this year if Al can stay healthy with Teague getting better and Smith at peak of skills.
Ferry Flopped at Cleveland
July 3rd, 2012
10:17 am
“This guy could not make it happen with Lebron and you jokers think he can make it work with josh?”
I hope everyone remembers all this Danny Ferry ‘back-patting’ when the Hawks are in the cellar. Lastly, I agree with the above statement – Ferry flopped at Cleveland with LeBron so what’s with all this excitement? Be careful what you wish for…
Steamer Lane Bulldog
July 3rd, 2012
10:26 am
Great Moves
If we get Howard and/or Paul, to sign next year. The city of Atlanta could compete, with that crew, in South Beach!
heartofdarkness
July 3rd, 2012
10:27 am
It will be interesting to see from where the new leadership in the locker room comes when the season starts. This group may be more coachable and competitive as a team, although you would expect to see further moves this summer to bolster positions where the current roster is thin. Does this theme continue to strengthen as the signature of the team, or will the Hawks make future moves in pursuit of a marketing image? We will see.
Turtsnap
July 3rd, 2012
10:27 am
With Danny Ferry bold enough to make moves that will allow the Hawks to be better soon, I wonder if Josh’s trade demand might ease a bit?
Chill
July 3rd, 2012
10:28 am
In 7 days Danny Ferry has made 50 times the impact of Rick Sund. What the hell was Sund doing in his office the past 5 years?? Playing Do do Jump???
Hawks Fan From Day One
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
Wow. Lots of Debbie Downers and straight up haters on the AJC. Fairweather, fake Atlantans, maybe? So butthurt and still living in the past. Ease back on the negative commentary and give this a chance to play itself out. None of you haters have any insight as to what’s going to happen. I mean, if you’re not even a Hawks fan, why ever come here to comment? Just to dump on our high hopes?
Ferry Flopped at Cleveland
July 3rd, 2012
10:35 am
Some of these posts are too funny. SMH Anyone who thinks DHoward & CP3 is coming to Atlanta is clearly delirious.
The Hawks were stuck in neutral. Now, you’re in a free-fall back into the cellar. Happy landing!
Reality
July 3rd, 2012
10:36 am
Easy to subtract. Much harder to add
The Hawks don’t sign free agents because nobody with a choice wants to play for them.