More info from Ferry

[macdaddy]

http://blogs.ajc.com...fid=blogs_hawks

The more punitive tax rate is just one aspect of the rules meant to curtail the big spenders. The rules also stipulate that teams with payrolls more than $4 million above the tax line can’t execute sign-and-trades, can acquire less salary in trades than non-taxpaying teams, and have a smaller mid-level exception and no bi-annual exception.

Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry and Mark Cuban seek similar paths

2:36 pm August 14, 2012, by Michael Cunningham

Each time Hawks GM Danny Ferry does an interview, the recurring theme is how he’s being “opportunistic.”

As in, after trading Joe Johnson and clearing the books after 2011-12, the Hawks now have the flexibility to take advantage of pretty much any opportunity that comes along.

That’s true, but now what?

The Hawks already missed out on one opportunity when Dwight Howard was sent to the Lakers before Ferry could even measure Dwight’s feelings about returning home. Next summer Ferry probably will get another crack at Howard (though the Lakers will own Howard’s Bird rights) and any of the other star free agents set to hit the market.

Financial flexibility is good, and there will be other opportunities, but how to turn that potential into a superstar player(s) that is (are) essential to competing for championships?

“Read an article about what Mark Cuban is doing,” Ferry said.

Cuban struck out with his plan of clearing cap space to acquire star players last summer. He’s since resisted the urge to double down on payroll because he believes that, eventually, teams with financial flexibility will benefit from specific CBA rules that kick in starting in 2013-14.

“I just think there’s a different approach,” Cuban told CBSSports.com. “You see what’s happening with teams that are up against the financial limits and it’s impacting their behavior. But we haven’t seen what’s going to happen with the trade limitations and things like that — not being able to do sign-and-trades, all that kind of stuff.”

The more punitive tax rate is just one aspect of the rules meant to curtail the big spenders. The rules also stipulate that teams with payrolls more than $4 million above the tax line can’t execute sign-and-trades, can acquire less salary in trades than non-taxpaying teams, and have a smaller mid-level exception and no bi-annual exception.

Cuban is betting those rules will lead to high-payroll teams being unable to acquire superstars, leaving those with cap space in a stronger position to make deals for those players. Ferry is predicting the same.

“It’s the same path,” Ferry said. “We don’t have [Dirk] Nowitzki but we have more assets. We have good players. [The Mavs] are piecing things together to keep flexibility to stay competitive. On some level, we are in a similar mode as what Dallas is doing.

“With Josh [smith] and Jeff [Teague] and Al [Horford] and flexibility around it and draft choices ahead. I think we are positioned well to be opportunistic whether that’s trade [or] whether that’s free agency in the future. It’s not an exact path. It’s about having a situation where you can be opportunistic.”

There are reasons to believe the Hawks are in a better position than Dallas. The 2012-13 Hawks, on paper at least, are comparable to the 2012-13 Mavericks. Smith and Horford may be more attractive trade targets now than Nowitzki is 34-years old and owed nearly $44 million over the next two years. The Hawks also have multiple draft picks.

The counter to those arguments is that the Mavs under Cuban have a much better organizational reputation than the Hawks. That means that, theoretically, they have a better chance of landing superstar free agents or keeping them for the long term after trading for them.

Now that Ferry has gained the flexibility he coveted, the next step is trying to make the Hawks the kind of franchise where the best players want to work.

“I’m trying to build well from the inside out,” Ferry said. “We need to build an organizational pride from within. We are not hinging our program on cap space or anything like that. We are hinging it on building a good program and having flexibility to make a trade or do free agency or do whatever.

“To get centric on cap space, [focusing on] would a free agent come here, that’s not what we are doing right now. That’s not the mode we are in right now. We are in a mode of, ‘Let’s build on an organizational pride and build an even better run machine as an organization.’

“From there, pride will grow and I think the opportunities that are out there, we are in a good position to be in the game, whether that’s a trade or a free agent or whatever that is.”

Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat

Edited August 14, 2012 by AHF

[Jody23]

Only time will tell.

[ATLscrubLove]

http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/08/14/atlanta-hawks-danny-ferry-mark-cuban-seek-similar-paths/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks

[ATLscrubLove]

Dang it, someone always posts right before me. I'm done posting info.

[macdaddy]

Ha. I thought the same thing. I usually just wait but I thought the points in the article were pretty relevant to the latest discussions.

[T21]

I'm all for Ferry-tale,seriously!Man has been doin' all the right things and I'm sure he'll do his best to get us one-two punch during next year's FA.He has got all the pieces in place so far... we need to be just a little bit patient, enjoy Hawks basketball (we should be fun to watch this year) and see what happens...

[Plainview1981]

http://blogs.ajc.com...fid=blogs_hawks

Mark Cuban has had Dirk, we have Al Horford and Josh Smith.

[Plainview1981]

And yes, I know Dirk is 34 now, but I'm a cynical one, so I'm not buying what is being sold. Besides, the east going to belong to Miami for years no matter what the Hawks do most likely.

[Watchman]

Since Dwight and Chris Paul are the only real "superstar" free agents available next year, and it's not too likely that either will leave their current team, I don't necessarily see that cap space is all that beneficial. IF we could sign Al Jefferson for less than MAX, do you think that Jefferson, Horford and Smith would be a formidable enough front line to contend?

[EazyRoc]

He sure sounds like he knows what he's doing. A stark contrast from good ol BK.

[EazyRoc]

Since Dwight and Chris Paul are the only real "superstar" free agents available next year, and it's not too likely that either will leave their current team, I don't necessarily see that cap space is all that beneficial. IF we could sign Al Jefferson for less than MAX, do you think that Jefferson, Horford and Smith would be a formidable enough front line to contend?

Not really. Sure, he's a great post scorer and a solid rebounder, but he's a blackhole offensively. He doesn't really play defense either.

[KB21]

I think Mark and Danny are exactly right. As the new CBA takes effect and has long term effects on teams, you are going to see fewer teams that are willing to spend over the luxury tax mark by very much. Those that do, things will come around to them as they will lose their flexibility to build depth for their teams. The teams that will have good long term results, IMO, are the teams that have an analytical approach to how they do things. The good to great teams in the future will be the teams that invest money into infrastructure, such as the SportVU camera systems, departments that do nothing but analyze statistics and other data, and innovative sports medicine techniques. Through these analytics, teams will be able to create the kind of match ups they need to create to level the playing field.

[Plainview1981]

Only thing is... I'm not seeing a superstar headed our way anytime soon. Lot's of promises that will net nothing but 2nd tier players at best.This franchise has tried to build a championship team without a superstar 3 times in a row and it failed all three times.It failed during the Mookie/Smitty/Deke years, it failed with Reef, JT and Big Dog... And it failed with Joe, Josh and Al. The last time it failed by making bad draft picks. The first time it failed party because we couldn't find a legit SF, and the 2nd time we had a terrible mix of players that really were not all that good.

Edited August 14, 2012 by Hotlanta1981

[Guest]

And yes, I know Dirk is 34 now, but I'm a cynical one, so I'm not buying what is being sold. Besides, the east going to belong to Miami for years no matter what the Hawks do most likely.

Then we might as well not play.

[DrReality]

At least ferry talks to the press. BK had a chip on his shoulder and a hypervigalent attitude toward the press. Ferrys openness is another way to change the culture

[Guest]

This is what stood out to me the most:

Now that Ferry has gained the flexibility he coveted, the next step is trying to make the Hawks the kind of franchise where the best players want to work.

“I’m trying to build well from the inside out,” Ferry said. “We need to build an organizational pride from within. We are not hinging our program on cap space or anything like that. We are hinging it on building a good program and having flexibility to make a trade or do free agency or do whatever.

[tonegully]

And yes, I know Dirk is 34 now, but I'm a cynical one, so I'm not buying what is being sold. Besides, the east going to belong to Miami for years no matter what the Hawks do most likely.

Miami runs the east for 3 years max until they turn in to cavs south

[EazyRoc]

Miami runs the east for 3 years max until they turn in to cavs south

Dwayne Wade isn't going to.get better, BUT Chris Bosh may very well. His game doesn't depend on athleticism and if he can truly man the center position theylll be OK.

[MaceCase]

In other words, the Hawks and Mavericks intend on being tax shelters for overburdened teams to dump their assets.