Suns are preparing to match JJ

[Rexhawk]

Suns just traded their backup center Voskul to clear up about 2 million in cap space to prepare to sign JJ. They are also planning to use the new exemption in the CBA to release Howard Eisely to free up more money. The story was just posted on ESPN. The hawks may have to up the money once again at the front of the contract to sign JJ.

[WraithSentinel]

Had to be expected. Don't match JJ offer sheet. Prepare for the Suns to take a huge step back and there will be alot of angry fans.

[ATL_BALLER]

Looks like we're stuck with the lethal Diaw/Lue combo, unless BK works some magic.

[swolehawk2]

Has Earl Watson signed?

[emeans]

This delaying of the CBA is killing Atlanta. The Suns have no pressure and all the time in the world to figure out a way to sign JJ through releasing players, etc.

The beauty of an offer sheet is that a team only has 7 days to figure out what they can do. We haven't even gotten to the 7 days to match yet.

They will have had everything figured out by the time we even sign an offer sheet.

If we had done this a month ago JJ would have been ours!!!

The NBA is screwing us this offseason.

[Rexhawk]

Since JJ is almost certain to resign with Phoenix, this forces the Hawks to throw all their money at either Chandler or Curry. They can now put together a huge front loaded contract and go after Chandler. Remember that a Center was the main objective anyway.

[swolehawk2]

Yep....it is tough to work trades under pressure to clear cap space without doing something you might regret....but with all the time in the world you explore every option....

combine that with the new "waive a bad contract" thingy and it does not look good for the home team....

Look at it this way..... our youngins will see a gang of time again this season.

[Inside_Man]

So he signs the offer - Then we wait seven days - THen they match - Then we can sign Chandler to a max offer - then we wait seven days - then Chicago matches - then we get Curry to sign an offer - then we wait seven days - then Chicago doesn't match - Then we have our FA.

[Traceman]

Given enough time, a team can come up with all kinds of creative ways to keep their restricted FAs. It figures that with our luck, something like this would happen. All BK can do is play with the cards he has been dealt. Hopefully, Phoenix won't match on JJ but it is pretty clear what they are trying to do by making these moves.

All that being said, if we DON'T land JJ but we do manage to land Curry or Chandler, all won't be lost. We will still have plenty of caproom and 2 #1's next year to get a top flight PG for next season.

[chillzatl]

if he REALLY wants to come here, as he has said, why not do a wink*wink*nudge and tell him "we're not going to make an offer until next season". Obviously they didn't want to pay him what we're offering to begin with. Obviously he isn't very happy about that and doesn't want to stay there. So let him become a UFA, sign with us after next year and leave them high and dry.

[mrhonline]

I'm not so sure that's what the Hawks should read into this.

Trading Voskuhl isn't a huge surprise with Kurt Thomas' arrival, and Eisley should be waived regardless.

You still have to call their bluff.

[Wretch]

I mean, is there any other team in the league that manages to have the worst luck, at the worst time, in the worst way year in and year out?

Lord almighty...

[KB21]

Like someone else said the other day, if it were the Knicks or the Lakers who had all this cap room, the NBA would have had this deal done by now.

IMO, the NBA has probably been too involved in getting Larry Brown to New York to worry about the CBA.

Honestly, if it weren't for the Hawks, I wouldn't even pay attention to the NBA.

[mrhonline]

To be fair, they could always trade Voskuhl AFTER they match JJ. The delay would hurt the Hawks only if the Suns were able to work a S&T, which it appears JJ is not open to.

Anyway, this just confirms that if they do match JJ, then either he or Marion will be traded next year. It also means the Suns won't be making any major moves to compete with the Spurs.

They're a one-hit wonder, it seems.

[WraithSentinel]

They keep delaying the signing period. I think we all could sense something like this was going to happen. If BK hurry he may be able to sign Marko Jaric.

[Spiral]

Can someone post the espn article, I don't see it on their site.

[emorystar]

Was Voshkul really making THAT much money? I don't think so.

[Diesel]

I think they want the Hawks to Backdown.

That's why we should frontload the contract and make them blink!

I don't think that they will overpay JJ knowing that they still have to pay Amare.

It's too much money for them...

[Plainview1981]

Why are people so hot for Earl Watson? He hasn't

done anything in his career. But he might be the

only option left other than Jay Williams who is

probably more worth the gamble.

[swolehawk2]

He can handle the ball and most importantly he can guard people...we need a point that plays D.....if we don't get Lue back....then Earl is what is left....he wouldn't be expensive and he is young......hell I would like J Kidd or Steve Nash but we have to deal with reality....we need a point guard that can at least run a team ....play D and hit an ocassional open shot ....to develop as a team.

Jay Williams has said he wants to play for a contender...we have to deal with reality here.