It's Official: Joe Johnson is going to the Hawks

[captain bill]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_a...oing_to_hawks_for_diaw_two_first_round_picks/

1st August, 2005 - 6:07 am

Arizona Republic - Asked by Suns brass whether he would rather be in Atlanta starring on a losing team or a cast member in Phoenix on a winning team, Joe Johnson picked the Hawks.

He will get his wish Tuesday in a sign-and-trade deal.

Trade-talk wheels began turning faster Thursday when Johnson told Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver that he did not want him to match a five-year, $69.6 million offer with Atlanta.

Phoenix will sign Johnson to Atlanta's terms and trade him to the Hawks for two-year guard Boris Diaw, two first-round picks (a protected Atlanta one and another the Hawks acquired) and a $4.9 million trade exception that can be used to offset salary gaps in a future deal.

The arrow points both ways in the blame game. Johnson was upset that the Suns would not give him $50 million over six years last summer and then offered $60 million over five years last month as a counter to Atlanta's maximum deal.

He had hoped Phoenix would open July with a huge offer, became upset when he was asked to choose between offers and rejected a Suns request to restructure the $69.6 million.

His Atlanta deal will include a $20 million payment this month.


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I know there's a thread on this, but know that it's official it's a different beast. Bad idea by Johnson, apparently he really wanted to play in Atlanta.

 

[SlimKid15]

Man i think phoenix took one step backwards this season. Interesting to see what they end up doing

 

[Ryan]

I have no idea why he would do this. The only reason I can think of is that after their draft picks, Atlanta has serious potential and now Joe can be the star of his own team instead of sharing the ball with four other all-stars (is that a run-on?). Still, I think he's lost his mind.

 

[KP]

JJ is good but in my opinion became overrated after this year. It was just too much money to give to at least the 4th most important player on that team. They can use that money to bring in some other player(s) to compliment their core and maybe tweak their philosophy a little. Phoenix wasn't going to win it all the way they were this year anyways, they need a real center(he doesn't have to be the greatest big, just the right one) and some more role players(bench) and they may be better in the end.

 

[Evenstar]

nice. i am glad to see him leave the suns!

 

[Variant]

Yep, interesting move. JJ in my mind is a role player, not a star. He'll probably figure that out next year though. And hey, if someone is willing to pay you, I'd probably take the shot to be the man on a team too.

The Suns probably won't be *as* fearsome without as deep of a bench, but they're still young and I imagine will have a great regular season.

 

[ImaDougaholic24_7]

wow

 

[Bad Boy Bo]

This makes him the only member of the Hawks that is legal enough to buy alcohol. But seriously though, I don't think it's a smart move on both clubs. Unless something larger at scale is forcoming. It seems the two reason that Johnson wants to move is, he's upset that Phoenix did not recognized his value (and now that they have, they are over-valuing him, both they and Atlanta). And also, he wants to become a star.

 

[captain bill]

Yep, interesting move. JJ in my mind is a role player, not a star. He'll probably figure that out next year though. And hey, if someone is willing to pay you, I'd probably take the shot to be the man on a team too.

The Suns probably won't be *as* fearsome without as deep of a bench, but they're still young and I imagine will have a great regular season.

"As" deep of a bench? Last year their bench consisted of Steven Hunter, and Jim Jackson later in the season. Their bench was one of their weakest points (and defense) and should be just as bad this year.

 

[SacTownKid]

JJ is good but in my opinion became overrated after this year. It was just too much money to give to at least the 4th most important player on that team. They can use that money to bring in some other player(s) to compliment their core and maybe tweak their philosophy a little. Phoenix wasn't going to win it all the way they were this year anyways, they need a real center(he doesn't have to be the greatest big, just the right one) and some more role players(bench) and they may be better in the end.

That is the killer though. They can't and they won't. They are going to give Amare a max deal, so any money they have goes there.