Hawks have second successful meeting with Joe Johnson

[HMFFL]

The person said general manager Rick Sund and his staff realize that adding Johnson isn't enough to make the team better on its own. They would still want to add more talent, including a starting-caliber center, and Hawks owners are willing to pay the NBA's luxury tax “for the right player,” according to the person.

If Johnson re-signs, the Hawks' payroll for next season would be near the projected $68 million luxury-tax threshold, and they would pay a 100 percent tax for salaries above it. The Hawks plan to use the nearly $3 million they netted from selling one of their draft picks last week to help offset that potential cost, according to the person with knowledge of their plans.

The news that the Hawks would offer Johnson a maximum contract seemed to catch many NBA observers by surprise. Media commentators and Hawks fans widely criticized the decision on Twitter and in blogs.

One NBA.com report suggested Hawks owners are willing to sign Johnson to the maximum deal because they are looking to sell the team soon. The report said they aren't worried about Johnson's salary increases later in the contract because they will have sold the team by then. Link

[Space Jam]

Bad news .

[CAM]

I'm just not enjoying any of the Hawks related media coming out. I like that they said:

The person said general manager Rick Sund and his staff realize that adding Johnson isn't enough to make the team better on its own.

Glad they realize that, but we've got a starting Caliber C. I want to hear more about the rumor of shopping Marvin, is it possible that we actually get something in return other than a salary dump?

So far, excitement for next season is very low

[ATL DirtyBird]

This is gonna lead me to a successful suicide.

I need to find a new team if they sign this schmuck to a new contract.

[jagstang76]

There's more to that article, so hit the link and read the rest.

I have been thinking about this move, and while the money is ridiculous, I don't think it was a bad move for this team to bring back JJ. Honestly, from the way the rest of FA is shaking out (basing on a lot of opinions I've heard) the league is going to look very similar to the way it has. No one wants to let their stars go, and not all of them are willing to team up and share glory. There is a much better chance that LeBron will stay in CLE, and we know Wade isn't likely to move. The only guy who seems a definite mover is Bosh, but I don't think he wants to play second fiddle.

With all this in mind, bringing back last year's team and making a couple improvements would possibly set us up for another run in the playoffs. What this article indicates though is that the ASG is in fact willing to go into the luxury tax to improve this team. They are willing to make moves like what they did in the draft in order to save money that they can use to offset the luxury tax. If we make some moves and bring in some help, this team is going to be harder to beat. Also, hopefully JD's new offense will help make everyone more effective and less stagnant.

I think all this is based on the philosophy MC refers to in the article that the ASG is taking. They would rather try and win rather than start over. If the league isn't changing that much, I don't believe that's a bad decision. You know JJ will want to get back to the playoffs and redeem himself.

[SAUCERY_SWEET]

This is gonna lead me to a successful suicide.

I need to find a new team if they sign this schmuck to a new contract.

Please do, your whole signature thing is awful. Nothing would make me want to look for another team, Boo till you can't boo anymore but to jump ship and go cheer for OKC or the Bucks or someone just because you don't like a certain player on the team is fickle.

If it indeed happens that Joe comes back i will support him cause he is on this team, although he will be held at a much higher regard and i will not tolerate anything less than him being on a level a notch or 2 higher than previously. Is this foolhardy thinking?? Just maybe but that's the price you pay being a fan.

[D21]

But if Joe thought he can win here, how in the world can he thinks that taking 120M help the team to improve. 90M, and he would have get 15M/yr, for 6yrs, and we would have 5 more M to use before talking about luxury tax.
If only he was a real Max guy, we could improve enough by just adding Brad Miller or Haywood with MLE, but it's wrong, if we want to win, we need at least a true Max, and it's giving this role to Joe that will let everybody thinks that we have a Max guy.

Now, I said since this rumor starts, if they assume this deal, and continue to spend to win, it would be different, but they have to show it, and not just talk about it.
And Joe will have to show he deserve this money. I don't know how the guy can look at himself in the mirror, he disappear in playoffs, where you have to show you deserve this money, and gets 120M on the first day of July.

Ohhhh, I wish these contracts were 50% based on team results, mainly playoffs results.

[ATL DirtyBird]

This is gonna lead me to a successful suicide.

I need to find a new team if they sign this schmuck to a new contract.

Please do, your whole signature thing is awful. Nothing would make me want to look for another team, Boo till you can't boo anymore but to jump ship and go cheer for OKC or the Bucks or someone just because you don't like a certain player on the team is fickle.

If it indeed happens that Joe comes back i will support him cause he is on this team, although he will be held at a much higher regard and i will not tolerate anything less than him being on a level a notch or 2 higher than previously. Is this foolhardy thinking?? Just maybe but that's the price you pay being a fan.

Oh because when Josh coasts through playoff games I should pay no mind right? Or how about Marvin playing a total of 12 solid minutes in the playoffs? Im not gonna go look for another team, im just so damn angry that we would offer this **** a huuuuuuge contract which he doesnt deserve. I love this team, and I wont stop cheering and watching them, it is just really frustrating that management doesnt see what the fan sees. Signing him handcuffs the franchise for years, but losing him also sets us back, but will give us flexibility.

[SAUCERY_SWEET]

I'm with you there and i won't tolerate any bull or slack off from Joe or anybody. Especially Joe since he's being paid like a SuperStar he better play like one.

[HoopsGuru25]

How long will it be until the Hawks pull their "offer" off the table? This hold up is a joke.

[ATL DirtyBird]

Rotoworld via Chris Sheridan twitter:
According to Chris Sheridan, Joe Johnson is not a lock to take Atlanta's max contract offer.
It sounds like New York and the Bulls are still in the mix, which isn't really news, or Johnson would have signed the deal as soon as it was offered. This also raises questions about the Bulls looking for a sign-and-trade for a max contract to deliver three superstars to the Bulls. Could Johnson be one of them?

Good news.

[HMFFL]

How long will it be until the Hawks pull their "offer" off the table? This hold up is a joke.

Even if the ASG took the offer off the table the casual fans would probably be upset once they find out. The AJC and media world would make it a big issue, but I would have more respect for the ASG.

Joe Johnson is toying with not only the ownership but also us fans.

[HoopsGuru25]

HMMFL-I think this is a ploy on BOTH sides. I don't think the ASG ever put the full max on the table for Joe and I will continue to think that until they announce the terms. My theory is that the embarrassment in the playoffs was an IDEAL out for the ASG to replace Woody and Joe on the cheap.

There has to be some kind of performance clause or team option that's being negotiated. I'd be shocked if the reason for the holdup was because he's considering taking a paycut to go to NY.

[Space Jam]

^^Good point Guru. If it's not that maybe he's trying to see what or who we will trade for or sign? Because we are pretty much the same team from last year right now.