Danny Ferry looking to trade but avoid the tax

[HMFFL]

Danny Ferry didn’t make the decisions that led to the Hawks owing $61 million in salaries next season to six veteran players on a team that’s topped out in the second round of the playoffs.

But now that’s he’s Hawks GM, Ferry will have to build a roster for next season without much financial flexibility. And he will have to start doing it pretty much on the fly because the free-agent negotiating period opens Sunday, less than a week after he took the job.

“It’s a crash course, for sure,” Ferry said. “I think we want to make the best decisions possible in the short term. We want to make right decisions, whether it’s a trade, whether it’s free agency. But especially trades.”

The trade market remains the best way for the Hawks to make significant additions to the roster (which of course means they’d also have to make significant subtractions).

They continue to get a lot of calls about Josh Smith but the impetus for pursuing Pau Gasol came from Rick Sund and Ferry so far hasn’t taken that baton. Ferry hasn’t even had a chance to fully assess the roster or meet the players.

Smith has a lot of value as a talented and productive player on a reasonable contract that expires after next season. Al Horford is an attractive piece, too, because he’s an All-Star big man locked up for four years and $48 million. Good luck dealing Joe Johnson with four years and $90 million remaining on his contract.

(Aside: I’ve heard some of my blog people wonder if Ferry will be “allowed” to trade Marvin Williams. Please accept that the Hawks have tried to trade Williams for at least two years and no one is biting. That shouldn’t be hard to do since you don’t want him on your team at his salary, either.)

If the Hawks don’t make a trade, then they’ll have to find some value on the free-agent market and perhaps get some contributions from unheralded rookies. http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/06/29/a ... d-the-tax/

[dtown8]

^ this is smart of Ferry for planning to keep Josh Smith, the Hawks best player. i don't agree with the Jenkins pick, but the intension of Ferry to keep Josh in Atlanta is defiantly the right thing to do for the organization and for the fans.

[HMFFL]

^ this is smart of Ferry for planning to keep Josh Smith, the Hawks best player. i don't agree with the Jenkins pick, but the intension of Ferry to keep Josh in Atlanta is defiantly the right thing to do for the organization and for the fans.

Is it really THAT smart to keep a player that supposedly requested to be traded?

[dtown8]

^ this is smart of Ferry for planning to keep Josh Smith, the Hawks best player. i don't agree with the Jenkins pick, but the intension of Ferry to keep Josh in Atlanta is defiantly the right thing to do for the organization and for the fans.

Is it really THAT smart to keep a player that supposedly requested to be traded?

Smith never requested to be traded. Why would you trade your best player?

[myrak433]

^ this is smart of Ferry for planning to keep Josh Smith, the Hawks best player. i don't agree with the Jenkins pick, but the intension of Ferry to keep Josh in Atlanta is defiantly the right thing to do for the organization and for the fans.

Is it really THAT smart to keep a player that supposedly requested to be traded?

smith wants to win. if feel like he can win in atlanta he will stay here

[MaceCase]

There is an inverse relation between his "desire to win" and his on court actions. I'd believe that noise if he wasn't lofting up as many jumpers as Kobe and instead working on the things he's actually good at. Perhaps He seems to be confused as to the reason why fans in other arenas cheer when he takes them and people in Phillips boo.

[Jodi]

Piston fan here, I come in peace...Watch out for Dumars pulling the Hawks to trade Josh Smith to the Pistons...I don't know when it'll happen, but it's coming soon...Good night...

[dtown8]

Piston fan here, I come in peace...Watch out for Dumars pulling the Hawks to trade Josh Smith to the Pistons...I don't know when it'll happen, but it's coming soon...Good night...

i always said that if the Hawks can get Drummond and extras for either Josh or Horford, then it is worth considering, but i don't think you guys would want to part with Drummond.

[ATL Boy]

The warriors were listening to trades while they were on the clock, I wouldve definitley called them to offer Smith for #7 and take Drummond

[dtown8]

The warriors were listening to trades while they were on the clock, I wouldve definitley called them to offer Smith for #7 and take Drummond

that would have been sweet. i think GSW have $9 million in cap, so the Hawks could have dumbed Horford or Smith and get Drummond and another pick.

Horford for #7 and #35

or

Smith for #7 and #35

......... Hawks could have walked away with Drummond, Perry Jones, and Doron Lamb, although having 3 rookies wouldn't be that smart regardless how talented they are.

[MaceCase]

Piston fan here, I come in peace...Watch out for Dumars pulling the Hawks to trade Josh Smith to the Pistons...I don't know when it'll happen, but it's coming soon...Good night...

What is it, 3 straight summers of hearing this same tired rumor? Either Dumars doesn't have the balls to ask Josh out to the prom or he doesn't take rejection well.

[Jodi]

What is it, 3 straight summers of hearing this same tired rumor? Either Dumars doesn't have the balls to ask Josh out to the prom or he doesn't take rejection well.

lol!!! I think Dumars has been trying every summer to trade for Josh Smith but the Hawks front office won't accept the deal...I think one of the reasons Dumars traded Ben Gordon for an expiring Maggette was to offer Josh Smith a big deal next off-season...I understand why the Hawks won't let Josh Smith go though, he's got huge talent, especially on the defensive side of the floor...

[dms269]

This is the story of our life. We want to trade but won't go over the luxury tax so we won't make a big deal.