Joe Johnson won't sign contract extension, will become a FA

JordansBulls · Post #1 » by **JordansBulls** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:14 pm

Hawks captain and All-Star Joe Johnson said he will not sign a contract extension with the Hawks and will play out the final year of his contract this season.

Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Hawks extended a four-year, $60-plus million contract offer to Johnson this summer. But Johnson said he decided not to sign the extension after mulling it over during the offseason.

By not signing Johnson will enter a deep free agent crop next summer headlined by reigning MVP LeBron James as well as fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"My sole focus right now is on this team and what we're trying to accomplish this season," Johnson said. "I have some goals set for this season for my team and I have some individual goals set for myself as well. I really feel like this team is ready to take that step to the next level. I also feel like I can be one of the elite players in this league, I feel like I'm right there, so it's going to be an exciting year."

Johnson is in the fifth and final year of a $70 million deal he signed with Phoenix before being traded to the Hawks in a sign-and-trade deal in August 2005.

This is T-mac's replacement for 2010-2011

Lineup
PG Brooks
SG Joe Johnson
SF Ariza/Battier
PF Scola
C Yao

Rockets back being contenders.

Iggyemu · Post #2 » by **Iggyemu** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:18 pm

That no show in both rounds of the playoffs last year doesn't bode well. Save the money..go get Durant.

Post #3 » by **Optimism Prime** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:20 pm

Iggyemu wrote:That no show in both rounds of the playoffs last year doesn't bode well. Save the money..go get Durant.

To quote Mr. Marshall Mathers, "Wowzers, I just made a mess in my trousers."

KiDdFrESh · Post #4 » by **KiDdFrESh** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:47 pm

We'd have to wait a few years for Durant huh? He'd have to accept the qualifying offer in order to become a unrestricted free agent. That would be like 3 more seasons before that could happen. But it would be freakin sweet!

College Boy · Post #5 » by **College Boy** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:48 pm

I wouldn't mind Joe Johnson at all. I'm not sure of the possibilities of him actually coming here, but I would certainly welcome the idea. Maybe Morey is already getting in his head, and that's why he won't extend in Atlanta. I just hope they don't hit us with tampering charges...

Munchlaxatives · Post #6 » by **Munchlaxatives** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:31 pm

Morey's more likely to get the next Joe Johnson.