Joe apparently offered 4/60

[azuresou1]

Mulling Joe Johnson: The Atlanta Hawks are believed to have put a 4-year $60 plus million extension offer on the table for Joe Johnson. He is considering the deal according to sources.

The Free Agent Class of 2010 is going to be significant, not just because more than 131 players will be without a contract, but because 14 NBA teams will have enough salary cap space to really shift the balance of power and Joe Johnson could be the biggest name in the bunch. Sure, LeBron James is going to do the dance, as will Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but the odds any of those guys leave their current markets is fairly slim.

Johnson on the other hand is not the singular star of the Hawks, and the Hawks are still not a major market draw in the NBA – they are getting better with 14 national TV games this season, but they are still among the NBA's second tier of rising talent.

Johnson could be the attainable jewel of the 2010 class, which is why the Hawks struck early with a contract offer, but like LeBron, Wade and Bosh – Johnson may make his home team sweat this one out.

Source: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13629

Don't know how legitimate it is, but I think that's overpaying.

[dms269]

Either we pay him or he bolts to the Knicks for the same.

We can't afford as a team to lose him.

[Hawks]

Atl is the perfect place for JJ. If he went to the Knicks there should be concerns from the Knicks. JJ hasn't consistently shown he can play on the big stage. In NY he will be on the big stage every night.

[johnny878]

dont let the door hit you on the way out joe

[Hawk4Playoffs]

johnny... stfu... I really hope JJ resigns! It would be ridiculous to let JJ walk. He is our go to guy.... unless we are signing another go to shooting guard better than JJ, JJ is our man.

[JoshB914]

4/60 sounds pretty reasonable. But you've got to think JJ could make more if he just played out his contract when the $$$ start flying around next summer from all directions.

[Skyhawk1]

I agree with Josh. The Hawks offer seem to be fair and reasonable, but I do believe JJ could get more money from other teams next season. Now, can anyone help me about the contract lenght the Hawks offered, I mean, I thought we could offer him more years (more guaranteed money) than any other team and he's only getting 4 years?

[magee]

15 mill per in this economy for him is very good, especially with a lockout looming. People can't pay $120 for a premium seat anymore, which means owners can't pay players more than $16 mill per, unless they are LeBron or D-Wade or a legit superstar. If I'm Joe Johnson, I sign immediately and ask the Hawks to go after garbage-men at each position who can shoot, rebound and defend.

Other teams could offer more, but very few will, if any. He won't win a ring with Atlanta, but they'll be in the playoffs each season.

[dejaman]

If I were JJ I would not accept a four year deal. He should negotiate a deal that includes a fifth year (player option).

[Nolan]

Sounds like a pretty good offer for Johnson he'll definetly get that elsewhere if he leaves so I don't think you guys would be overpaying him.

[LL Cool Scott]

It's a perfectly fair offer for both sides. The only thing I'm worried about is JJ's past. He left a great situation with a team on the rise for more money and the chance to be "the man" on a terrible team in 2005. Will he do the same in 2010? Does he care more about personal attention and a tiny little bit more money than he does about winning? Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself...

[killbuckner]

THe longest extension that joe could sign would be 4 years. If the Hawks waited until next offseason when he was a FA then he could sign a 5 year contract.

I think this was an extension that has to be offered. I think the more interesting question is what the hawks should do if he doesn't sign it. Would you be willing to risk him becoming an UFA or would you trade him now and get what you could? The Jamal Crawford trade makes far more sense to me if the Hawks are worried that they will not be able to retain Joe Johnson.