JJ might just be coming...might be...

[mrhonline]

AZ Republic

Quote:

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Suns season ticket renewals are due Monday, but an answer on Joe Johnson's future isn't. What seemed like a slam dunk days ago is looking more like a heave from half court because of Robert Sarver's growing concern about his team's payroll.

Caveat emptor. As you write that check today, know that the giddiness hangover of the postseason has been replaced by a vibe of uneasiness from

several Suns officials who believe Johnson's return is no longer imminent.

The Atlanta Hawks are expected to sign the restricted free agent to an offer sheet worth approximately five years and $70 million on July 22. The Suns have the right to match the offer, and many assumed they would in order to keep much of last season's Western Conference title contender intact. But Sarver is concerned about the long-term implications the deal would have on his club, especially when Amaré Stoudemire's contract extension kicks in beginning with the 2006-07 season.

If Johnson returns to the Suns, approximately $54 million would be committed to Johnson, Stoudemire, Shawn Marion and Steve Nash in 2006-07.

With the reality of a salary cap and luxury tax - even when factoring in cap aids such as a midlevel exemption - the Suns will face challenges putting together a supporting cast.

Sarver became a successful businessman by making decisions with his head, not his heart, and he has the bottom line and a profitability margin on his mind.

That's fine, except that the Suns have sent out signals for several months that closing a deal with Johnson was a priority. General Manager Bryan Colangelo said in April that "my priority No. 1 is to sign Joe Johnson. My other priority No. 1 is to sign Amaré Stoudemire to an extension."

Sarver has spoken many times of Johnson's greatness. Just two weeks ago, Stoudemire said: "I think the main thing right now is that we take care of Joe. I know Joe wants to be here."

Those remarks led many fans to commit money and emotions to Johnson's return. The Suns have sold about 2,500 new season tickets and expect to move another 500. That means nearly 12,000 season tickets to occupy an 18,422-seat arena, which could translate to quite a few sellouts.

Many of those fans wrote checks thinking Johnson would be back.

While some have suggested that Johnson might want to play for the Hawks, the truth is, it doesn't matter. As a restricted free agent, he belongs to the Suns if they match Atlanta's offer. And don't buy the suggestion that he could become a disruptive influence.

Not on a team with a unifying presence such as Nash. Not on a team that has a real chance to be successful.

Plus, Johnson's teammates like him and often have spoken in his defense regarding contract talks.

Which brings up another reason fans won't be too willing to cut Sarver slack if Johnson doesn't come back. The owner could have had him for about $20 million less if the team had signed Johnson to an extension a year ago.

"It wasn't the money to Joe in particular," Sarver said recently. "It was the money to the team in total not knowing what we had that was the key. Sometimes you make good decisions and sometimes you make bad decisions."

It's hard to believe losing two starters - Johnson and Quentin Richardson - from a team close to advancing to the NBA Finals would be a good decision.

And before they write any more checks, fans would like to know whether the Suns agree.

Reach Boivin at

paola.boivin@arizonarepublic.com

or (602) 444-8956.

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[mrhonline]

Also, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the Hawks might pursue Bonzi Wells if they don't get JJ.

What does that say about Childress' role this year?

[macdaddy]

Talk about a disruptive influence. I sure hope we get JJ and not Bonzi. As we've said before there are plenty of minutes to go around. We are a long way from having any depth at all so Chill will get plenty of time.

[emeans]

The main reason the organization is looking to get help at the SG position is purely because of Chillz outside shooting. He has to become a threat from the outside to become an effective SG. Right now he is effective but not as a SG. If he can consistently nail the jumper he will be awesome!! But that is a BIG if.

[emorystar]

If Joe comes to Atlanta, he will play PG.

[Lascar78]

There's no way he would play full-time PG. He would play PG in short spurts, but mostly be a 2.

[swolehawk2]

How do you figure that...this is the same coaching staff that played Bo Diaw at PG and said this iffseason thats where Diaw will play....why wouldn't JJ play there...he is a much better pg than Bo at this point.

[Lascar78]

IMO, Boris IS a PG who happens to be 6'8", while JJ is a SG who has enough handles to be able to man the PG if necessary. Look at Boris' game, all he wants to do is distribute. JJ might play PG this year if we didn't add anyone else, but I doubt BK'd want him to spend his career there.

But who knows.

I'm sure BK's thought is "JJ is a great basketball player. Let's try to get him here and they see how he fits"...

[macdaddy]

because JJ would be the best SG on the team. Diaw is a better point than a SG so why make them both play out of position.

[KB21]

I think Joe Johnson is a point guard that has played shooting guard and small forward in the past simply because he is 6'8", and there seems to be an aversion to tall point guards by some teams.

[TheDude]

i'm starting to see BK's type of gameplan...in memphis he built depth, not role players...

most GMs usually go with a situation where they get players who know their roles. BK wants just depth..lets the coach worry about who plays when..not sure if i agree with that cuz don't really desire for bonzi to be here but hey, it's better than what we have i guess.

[DominiqueWilkins]

Quote:

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Also, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the Hawks might pursue Bonzi Wells if they don't get JJ.

What does that say about Childress' role this year?

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Bonzi Wells in Atlanta? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

[DominiqueWilkins]

Guess we will find out what happenes, because JJ will most likely sign the max offer on the 22nd with the Hawks, and we will just see if the Suns match.

[Lascar78]

I could see BK wanting him, but how? Memphis would SNT him correct?

We don't want to give up future 1sts. Surely we wouldn't trade Al for Bonzi. I don't see how we'd get him.

Also I love his game but I don't really want his attitude here

[thesheedera]

We've done too good a job collecting guys without any issues to bring in someone who could potentially disrupt chemistry. At his best, Bonzi would be a great addition. At his worst, he could undermine everything we've been building since Knight came to town.