AtlHomer

I second that!

Interesting concept. You would prefer someone who could possibly score over someone who could possibly stop someone from scoring. For some reason, I feel Woodson would prefer the latter over the former.

This will go on until the players and the team come to a mutually agreeable contract. Hopefully we'll know the market value of both players as soon as the first RFA signs an offer letter. The players always have the option to take a one year tender and become an UFA next year.

Unless the Hawks have 'an understanding' with several remaining unrestricted FAs, I believe it is in their best interest to resolve the contract situation sooner rather than later. Obviously the sooner they have an understanding of what the makeup of the team will be, true planning (along with marketing campaigns) can begin. Many things are on hold until the Joshes contract situations are resolved.

Until then, all we fans can do is speculate as to what will happen. It will happen when it happens.....

Let's see, you think is is worth paying almost 1 million dollars per point because he is 'worth it'. What should you pay someone that averaged 18pts per game? It's amazing how some determine worth when spending OPM.....

Let's see, two points guards over 30 and under 6'1" for a point guard and two bigs. They'd have to be desperate or loco to do a deal like that.....

Good analysis from SI. They did forget the other possibility though. Smith may decide the 'reasonable' offer from the Hawks is not one and elects to take a one year contract, making him an UFA next year. Let's hope it does not come down to that.

Once the Clipper speculation blows over (I believe it will soon), the Hawks can then focus on signing a veteran shooter (Jarvis Hayes?) and big man (Kwame Brown?) to fill out the roster. A second team of Law/Childress/Hayes/Zaza/Brown can be fairly competitive.

This is when it gets interesting! Hopefully more folks are recognizing the Hawks must take a long term look to the makeup of their team. It's fair to say they have a 'number' that they are willing to match any team up to for Smith. Once agreements/proposals go above that number, the reasonable thing to do is try to determine how to get value back via a SNT. If it comes to that point, it will simply be a 'business decision' that is in the best interest of the team.

Sure, they would take a 'PR' hit but at the end of the day, they've got to think about the long term fiscal health of the organization.

Interesting idea! Mike Wilks is the kind of 'distributing' PG that would be good to have as a backup, assuming he is out there with scorers. If Speedy is healthy, it does give the Hawks greater flexibility with player moves.

Everyone seems to forget at the end of the day, this is a business. As indicated above, it takes time to validate revenues and set salaries. I recall not long ago, the draft lasted quite a few rounds (thus obligating players to a team they had no realistic chance of making) and there it was about three weeks before contracts could be offered during the FA period.

I'd substitute point #2 with signing Jarvis Hayes and/or Mickeal P. from GS. This would give the team a stronger 2nd unit. It could look like this:

Law/Childress/Hayes/Morris/Zaza

with 2 out of Speedy/Richardson/Jones as 11 & 12.

If we lose smith, we're going to have to make up that transition defense. The other thing is the only way we can get players is by trade.. we don't have capspace to go after free agents. Not really. Not until Chillz is signed and we can use our MLE. I would rather use that on Brown after getting that transition defender by trade. I think Mickeal P. would be a good pickup in a SNT but we'd have to see his price.

Good point! In my scenario, Brown would help improve interior defense which 'could' result in a lower shooting percentage for opponents (less layups and putbacks). Brown with Hayes or Mickeal P. could easier surpass the offense output provided by Smith with along strengthening the 2nd unit. If we can reduce JJ's minutes without losing offensive output, it makes him fresher for the end of the season.

I'd substitute point #2 with signing Jarvis Hayes and/or Mickeal P. from GS. This would give the team a stronger 2nd unit. It could look like this:

Law/Childress/Hayes/Morris/Zaza

with 2 out of Speedy/Richardson/Jones as 11 & 12.

From ESPN's website:

The unpredictable three-time All-Star point guard, in vintage Agent Zero fashion, told the Post and the Washington Times on Thursday that he has agreed to re-sign for $111 million over six years, considerably less than the maximum deal he said the Wizards offered him when the free agency period began on Tuesday.

Arenas negotiated the deal from China, where is traveling as part of promotional tour for a shoe company, and did so without an agent.

"I'm basically giving back $16 million," Arenas told the Washington Times. "This is in line with what I've been saying the whole time. You see players take max deals and they financially bind their teams. I don't wanna be one of those players and three years down the road your team is strapped and can't do anything about it."

Arenas became a free agent after opting out of the final year of his six-year, $65 million contract at the end of last season. He initially said he was opting out to receive a max contract, but he later indicated he would be flexible in negotiations."

At the end of the day, it is a 'business decision" that must be made. I hope all parties come to the conclusion that it is best to continue this relationship and find a 'fair and equitable' salary for both Joshes.

Let's say GS or any other team offers Smith a contract upwards of 5yr/85mil. At one point should ASG look to turn that into a SNT situation. Like many, I'd like to see us retain Smith and would also like to see him get 'paid' but there comes a point in which you must acknowledge that the good of the team is greater than that on one player.

What salary offer would you draw the 'line in the sand' or are most willing to 'break the bank' and perhaps handcuff the team for a long time by giving him a max offer? At 22, is he worth a max offer at this time?

I'm a longtime lurker and an infrequent poster. Keep posting the insider info. We can decide for ourselves the validity of it. I personally like the speculation that comes along with it....

Sothron, as usual GREAT information and insight! I wouldn't be surprised if some of the national basketball prognosticators extract tidbits from your posts and begin reporting on them as their own findings.

As I mentioned before, it sounds like your sources are fans and understand the need to have a 'buzz' about the team. Your posts have definitely done that. Thank and protect them.

Outside of the insider posts that generated a LOT of comments this is one of the better posts. It lists actually salaries of veteran players and forces bloggers to consider what the Hawks would have to 'send back' with salaries to acquire those players. As indicated, to acquire some players, it would require a 3rd and/or 4th team to be involved. I don't think we can get someone like KG, Kobe, JP, etc. While it may be fun to speculate, it's highly unlikely.

My preference is to se us package the #3 pick with reasonable assets to acquire a big man like Gasol. In order to get something of quality, you've got to give something of quality. The only untouchables I waould have in this potential acquisition would be JJ, JSmoove, and Marvin.

If we are unable to swing a deal for a veteran with this pick, I could go for Yi or Horford. Yi is risky but one can't ignore the economic impact he would have for the franchise. Him turning out to be as advertise would be icing on the cake. Horford seems solid however I'm not personally sold on him. I'll fall back to actual player evaluations regarding this pick.

I also like the idea of possibly trading #11/assets to Portland for JJackand Pryz, if that is a possibility. When healthy, Pryz was a good defensive center that clogged the middle, got rebounds, and was a good trigger for fastbreaks. Because most of us are unsure as to why the team did not make a committment to him a few years ago, this may make this iffy.

If we keep the #11 pick, we definitely should take the best PG remaining. If we have choices , my preference would be Law over Critt, only beause he is closer to being NBA ready. Per Bernie, Speedy should be healthy going into the season so Law could play in spots to get experience without having much pressure. Some might say this is a better situation for Critt however we may need Law to start sooner based on Speedy's health. I would not feel comfortable with Critt doing that this year.

I can't wait until Thursday night!

Sothron, I for one appreciate the insider info you have been sharing. I'm sure your contacts are big fans and read many of the blogs. They probably also know these tidbits would not come from BK. Keeping a buzz is also good marketing. Your posts have definitely generated that. Protect your sources!

That said, BK may be also throwing off the FO staff with his thoughts. IMO, drafting Wright is contrary to the organizations goals of having a playoff team next season. Maybe he is factoring in the possibility of leaks thus sending up smoke signals.

I'm in the camp that believes at least one veteran player needs to be acquired using one of the picks. I recall a rumour earlier of #11/asset for Jack/Prz from Portland. If something like that were true, we could possibly take a chance of BPA with #3. Ideally, I'd like to see us use #3 on Gasol as long as it did not gut the team to much. I believe he would be a force for us in the east.

The only other way to address the center position would be through free agency. It seems the opinion of the board is that Magloire is not worth pursuing. I wouldn't mind seeing him here at the right price. He would definitely be an upgrade over LoWright.

The only other 'low cost' option would probably be Haywood from DC. Hopefully the SWilliams for Haywood trade rumour has some truth to it. The change of scenery/environment could do both players some good and possibly help out their new teams.

Sothron, great insight as always! Protect your sources!

Your comment is why I believe one or both picks may be traded for veteran help. Expectations are high and not making the playoffs this year will be unacceptable. I cannot see us going into the regular season with 2 rookies from this draft and expecting to make the playoffs.

That said, this looks like a 'fair' proposal that provides benefits, both from a competitive and marketing standpoint, for both teams. Hopefully, ORL is still considering it.

I'm considering going to the draft in NY this year (will already be there on business). I went 2 years ago with my Dad at one of the ballrooms in Madison Square Garden and had a great time. If your sources have any insight on how to connect with the ATL representatives, let me know.

Sothron, good insight and information again! Keep it up and protect your sources.

I'm in the camp that would be OK with the 3rd pick being used with a package to acquire a veteran player like Gasol. I don't like any deal that would include both picks. Hopefully, they can find another player outside of the main 'core' to include in a deal for Gasol. Memphis having 2 consecutive picks along with 1-2 good young established players would put them in the playoff hunt right away. It would also give them the ability to trade the 4 pick for other veteran players if they desire.

Surely he wouldn't have to give up that much to acquire Gasol. After all, we gave up a #3 pick and two players (LoWright and Brevin Knight) to acquire Shareef. Hopefully, that was more a 'hypothetical' than anything else.

DrReality, before it's all said and done, i believe many on this board will come to realize that will need to be done in order for us to make the playoffs next year. Getting younger will not help the team to achieve those goals, regardless of quality of the players at #3 & #11. Like several are saying, I believe one pick should be used to help secure a big man and the other used to select a PG. Someone who was drafted in the past 3 years will probably be traded to help get that big man.

Sothron:

I appreciate the insight you've shared thus far. Protect your sources.

If the opportunity presents itself, could you inquire about the medical status along with front office perceptions of Speedy. I believe this may be a key into how we plan for the draft.

does anyone know the status of Jay Williams? We know he attempted a comeback last year. Did he still workout in attempts to get back to the league?

I like A however don't believe anyone would accept Speedy in a trade unless he announced he plans to retire. That said, if we can find the right package without compromising our core to get Gasol, I'm for it.

Does anyone know the latest on his rehab status? IMO, that will go a LONG ways in determining his future with the Hawks and NBA.

GrayMule, well said!!!