RealGM

What are the details with this guy? Is he planning on resigning? Do you guys still want him at the price he is asking?

He was offered an extension on 4yr/60M (15M per) and turned it down. Partially that was because at the end of the season he is eligible for a 5 year deal (well 6, but that is unlikely unless something unusual happens). He has been publicly non-committal on resigning. The price tag will most likely be a max deal for 5 years given some of the bidders.

I don't think Atlanta has made up its mind one way or another on Joe at that price. Personally, I believe the playoffs are Joe's audition time for that Max Deal. His previous playoff record has been hit and miss. How far the Hawks go and how well Joe plays this post-season is way important to the negotiations (imo). If we lose Sunday I can't see the ASG offering max dollars. If we win Sunday and go to the next series then it can go either way. A sweep or 5 game loss to Orlando would likely mean a low-ball offer. If we go 7 games against them or win then I would bet that he gets a big dollar offer and stays.

If he doesn't want to resign here or we don't offer enough I'm intrigued by the possibility of steering Joe to Chicago in a S&T. Why S&T when you can just sign him as a free agent? The ability to sign one more player. My thought was Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson. By my calculations that would enable Chicago to also make a run at one of the big 3 PFs (Bosh, Amare, Boozer) and surely land 1 of them. Even if it is your 3rd choice you'd have a starting lineup of Rose, JJ, Deng, Boozer, Noah which is a hell of starting lineup. It might be even more impressive if you win a bidding war on Bosh. For our own part we'd stay competitive for a playoff spot and maintain flexibility for when Al's up for a contract.

Final comment: I'd be lying if I said I knew what is most important to Joe Johnson. He's said that he doesn't want to go to a rebuilding situation again, but I've also read stories that he doesn't want to be 2nd fiddle (somewhat opposing thoughts). I think that might be an exaggeration though. I'm not seeing sustained success if he's the lead dog. Maybe he'll be happy if he can rationalize himself as 1b rather than just #2 or part of a trio of equals (like Boston). Don't expect him to rush to be in Lebron's shadow.