Joe Johnson?

[KF10]

Johnson Won't Sign Extension With Hawks:

Hawks forward Joe Johnson will not sign a contract extension with the team.

Johnson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he will play out the final year of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Atlanta offered Johnson a four-year, $60 million extension this summer. He decided not to sign the new deal after considering it.

"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."

So, can he be the player that the Kings can potentially grab?

Evans
Martin
Johnson
Thompson
Hawes

Not too bad. I think having another ballhandler in the lineup and a high talent level in Johnson would do wonders for this team. I have been on the Johnson bandwagon for a while. I think we should target a player like Johnson next year.

[Silver Man]

A player like JJ? Like who? Because I doubt we'll be able to grab Joe Johnson, but anything can happen. It'd be nice to grab a player like Joe Johnson, but I'm not sure we are really in a spot to sign him.

[KF10]

A player like JJ? Like who? Because I doubt we'll be able to grab Joe Johnson, but anything can happen. It'd be nice to grab a player like Joe Johnson, but I'm not sure we are really in a spot to sign him.

There is a small group of teams that have cap space to sign a FA to a max contract.

Nets, Knicks, Heat, Timberwolves, Bulls, Thunder, Rockets, Clippers and Kings.

I'm not sure if we are going to sign anyone but I think it is silly to not get into the 2010 FA market. There are obviously players that are too old for the team but there are players that fits the criteria for us, Johnson. I hope the Kings at least make a play for Johnson. If not, there is 2011 and so on.

[Norbit]

Im hopin hes the free agent we can nab. I would be really happy with him as our starting sf.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

Well have to pay him about 80 million 4 years

[pillwenney]

Well have to pay him about 80 million 4 years

In this economy, I doubt it would be quite that much. We would certainly have to over pay, but I'm thinking something more like $17mil per year. Of course, whether or not we're able to do that will depend largely on where the unpredictable cap will end up.

As for the fit and situation, I'd say it's at least interesting. I'd almost prefer someone slightly more Pippenish than Joe--that, less of a shoot first player, and more of a defender. Although if Tyreke proves he can guard most SFs (and thus be our main starting perimeter defender), it probably wouldn't be the worst thing to have an average defender at both SG and SF. Also Kevin can still really improve there.

[Smills91]

He's probably the best free agent that we could potentially and realistically sign. However, I doubt we do. But he's probably the best 'FIT' of any FA not names James, Wade, Bosh as they MAKE the others around them fit.

[Silver Man]

Well have to pay him about 80 million 4 years

Ehh, because of economy and ****. Between 15-17 sounds good, maybe 18, it'd probably have to be closer to 17-18, but why would JJ want to sign with us over other teams. We aren't contenders right now.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

Well have to pay him about 80 million 4 years

Ehh, because of economy and ****. Between 15-17 sounds good, maybe 18, it'd probably have to be closer to 17-18, but why would JJ want to sign with us over other teams. We aren't contenders right now.

He rejected 4 years 60 which is 15+ a year. 17-18 sounds pretty good but in Sacramento you have to overpay for your guy.

[Silver Man]

As good as that amount sounds though you still have to think. This is Sacramento. Does he really want to sign here when there's a pretty good chance we don't make the playoffs (pending other trades, free agents, and all that) when other teams that have a better chance to make the playoffs and they offer him the same or more.

But hey, it doesn't hurt to try.

[RoyalCourtJestr]

I don't know if I'd pay Johnson that much. I still have legit concerns how he'd play next to Martin. :/

[pillwenney]

Ehh, because of economy and ****. Between 15-17 sounds good, maybe 18, it'd probably have to be closer to 17-18, but why would JJ want to sign with us over other teams. We aren't contenders right now.

He rejected 4 years 60 which is 15+ a year. 17-18 sounds pretty good but in Sacramento you have to overpay for your guy.[/quote]

Players don't determine their value--no matter how many of them think they do. Joe may get a little more than 4/60 next year, but it won't be that much more.

A lot of the leverage we will/won't have will depend on what other teams do.

[SacKingZZZ]

I like Johnson, but NOT at 15+ per year. He's will put up some alright numbers but he isn't at that level.

[pillwenney]

I like Johnson, but NOT at 15+ per year. He's will put up some alright numbers but he isn't at that level.

Sure, but that's the cost of free agency. You have to overpay, or else you'll never get that big signing.

[Smills91]

I like Johnson, but NOT at 15+ per year. He's will put up some alright numbers but he isn't at that level.

Sure, but that's the cost of free agency. You have to overpay, or else you'll never get that big signing.

Which is why I'm a fan of using the cap space to help facilitate a TRADE of a quality player to Sacramento.

[a-rod]

While he doesn't put us over the top, there isn't one realistic move that can put us over the top..we're going to need multiple moves, If we are one or two players away from contention, then there could be an argument made to target the right high-priced free agent (like bosh), but like mitchweber said its all depends on the cap, as of right now we can offer 2 max contracs in 2010...

Having said that, Johnson and bosh are the most realistic free agents we can target and by realistic, i mean we have to break the bank and really overpay them and they might come here...

[deNIEd]

While he doesn't put us over the top, there isn't one realistic move that can put us over the top..we're going to need multiple moves, If we are one or two players away from contention, then there could be an argument made to target the right high-priced free agent (like bosh), but like mitchweber said its all depends on the cap, [b]as of right now we can offer 2 max contracs in 2010...[/b]

Having said that, Johnson and bosh are the most realistic free agents we can target and by realistic, i mean we have to break the bank and really overpay them and they might come here...

Uhh no we can't....we can barely offer 1

[pillwenney]

I like Johnson, but NOT at 15+ per year. He's will put up some alright numbers but he isn't at that level.

Sure, but that's the cost of free agency. You have to overpay, or else you'll never get that big signing.

Which is why I'm a fan of using the cap space to help facilitate a TRADE of a quality player to Sacramento.

I think a realistic scenario (especially if we're screwed over by a lowering cap), would be a S&T where we give some decent youth like Omri and/or Donte a future 1st in return.

[RoyalCourtJestr]

As I think Smills pointed out earlier in the offseason, a lowered cap actually could help us - it means less teams can offer max contracts, and we'd still (barely) be one of them.

[pillwenney]

As I think Smills pointed out earlier in the offseason, a lowered cap actually could help us - it means less teams can offer max contracts, and we'd still (barely) be one of them.

Ehh, we'll see about that. It'll depend on how much it's lowered. Right now, including the salary of our 1st rounder next year, we should be at around $43-44million. That's not even enough to for a max player if the cap stays where it is. What's going to really annoy me is if the league doesn't tell teams what the cap will be at before then. Teams need to be able to plan on this.