AJC: Atlanta Hawks: Why ASG wants J.J. back (even for the max)

[Hawksquawk]

Talked to a person with insight into ASG’s rationale for offering J.J. a max contract. Basically, the plan is for the Hawks to re-sign J.J. and then add the necessary pieces to make them a true contender in the Eastern Conference.

Letting Joe leave would mean the Hawks would be worse in the short term, and the Hawks aren’t prepared to do that (the sign-and-trade options aren’t so appealing as to assure the team would maintain or improve). Once they made that philosophical decision, they took a look at the market for J.J. It quickly became clear that a handful of teams with cap space were ready to offer him the non-Bird max, so the Hawks

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[coachx]

<p>Talked to a person with insight into ASG’s rationale for offering <strong>J.J.</strong> a max contract. Basically, the plan is for the Hawks to re-sign J.J. and then add the necessary pieces to make them a true contender in the Eastern Conference.</p><p>Letting Joe leave would mean the Hawks would be worse in the short term, and the Hawks aren’t prepared to do that (the sign-and-trade options aren’t so appealing as to assure the team would maintain or improve). Once they made that philosophical decision, they took a look at the market for J.J. It quickly became clear that a handful of teams with cap space were ready to offer him the non-Bird max, so the Hawks

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Makes total sense to me.

I wonder who the other pieces are that Sund can find who the ASG will sign off on.

[TomSelleck]

How are the Hawks going to be able to add the "necessary pieces" with barely any cap room and draft picks in the 20's?

[mrhonline]

How are the Hawks going to be able to add the "necessary pieces" with barely any cap room and draft picks in the 20's?

That's my question, too.

Just gonna have to wait-and-see...

[coachx]

How are the Hawks going to be able to add the "necessary pieces" with barely any cap room and draft picks in the 20's?

Chillz S & T

Crawford & Evans expiring contract

Smoove's contract is a good size to bring talent at a needed position.

MLE

[sturt]

Chillz S & T

Crawford & Evans expiring contract

Smoove's contract is a good size to bring talent at a needed position.

MLE

What he said.

Look, we're BOUND to be somewhat better next season IF ONLY because we're likely to do what we did the previous off-season, which was to take relatively and distinctly unproductive assets and trade them in for the 6-of-the year. While it's debatable that we could possibly be just as fortunate this off-season, the fact is, Chilz is at least as attractive an asset as were a going-nowhere PG and an expiring contract. Then, add Crawford Jr and something from the MLE on top of that. Oh, and btw, our young roster ages gets one more year of maturity and gets managed by someone who seemingly will install an offense.

Is it enough to put us over the top?

Can't be that certain, but again, at least there's reason to believe we can take another step forward... and maybe even, a substantial step forward.

[Packfill]

What he said.

Look, we're BOUND to be somewhat better next season IF ONLY because we're likely to do what we did the previous off-season, which was to take relatively and distinctly unproductive assets and trade them in for the 6-of-the year. While it's debatable that we could possibly be just as fortunate this off-season, the fact is, Chilz is at least as attractive an asset as were a going-nowhere PG and an expiring contract. Then, add Crawford Jr and something from the MLE on top of that. Oh, and btw, our young roster ages gets one more year of maturity and gets managed by someone who seemingly will install an offense.

Is it enough to put us over the top?

Can't be that certain, but again, at least there's reason to believe we can take another step forward... and maybe even, a substantial step forward.

Can the team repeat is remarkable health from last season? The top 6 players on the team missed less than 10 games combined, which is impressive.

[Final_quest]

Wow, contingent on a trade for CP3 or some other star I'm hoping.

I was thinking earlier today that we are capable of creating our own Voltron unite.

[sturt]

Can the team repeat is remarkable health from last season? The top 6 players on the team missed less than 10 games combined, which is impressive.

Exceptional health, yes, even for a younger roster like ours. I'd have to agree, we're bound to take a step backward on that front.

[exodus]

How are the Hawks going to be able to add the "necessary pieces" with barely any cap room and draft picks in the 20's?

I heard they made a new addition to the front office...

[DrReality]

Good artcile. I sure like his writing.

[coachx]

That leaves a minimum of three two open roster spots. If Chills signs an offer sheet (Washington is interested) and the Hawks don’t match it (they haven’t ruled out matching or working out a sign-and-trade) then the committed salaries would be roughly $63 million with four three open roster spots. The Hawks want a bona fide center and ASG is open to using the mid-level exception to sign one. They also will explore trade opportunities, though there haven’t been any serious discussions about potential moves because Rick Sund is focused on J.J. right now.

Here is where the draft ties into ASG’s thinking. The Hawks traded down with the belief that Jordan Crawford (he needs a nickname, right?) would still be there at No. 27. They liked Kentucky’s Daniel Orton and would have taken him with the No. 31 pick but he went 29th to the Magic and they didn’t like any of the other centers available. So they sold the No. 31 pick for close to $3 million, and that money could help offset their potential luxury tax bill and also the hit they would take for missing out on the tax escrow rebate.

Please be true,,,,,pretty please Q :helpsmilie:

Edited July 2, 2010 by coachx

[Diesel]

How are the Hawks going to be able to add the "necessary pieces" with barely any cap room and draft picks in the 20's?

This little thing called Trade. Where teams swap players.

[mrhonline]

This little thing called Trade. Where teams swap players.

Well, you're trading Marvin for Gadzuric, so who else you trading for crappy players?