think of it like this. the hawks are paying 90$ mil for a $60 mil yacht. but they still are the owners of a 60 million dollar yacht. so what if he's overpaid? he'll still be an all star in a few years.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Suns still hold all the cards when it comes to the Joe Johnson sweepstakes, but that won?t keep the Atlanta Hawks from raising the stakes ? just in case Phoenix is bluffing about how much it is willing to ante up to keep its young shooting guard. Several sources confirmed the Hawks ? desperate to improve after finishing with the NBA?s worst record ? have committed to deliver a five-year, $70 million offer sheet, the maximum allowed by an outside team, in an attempt to lure Johnson away from the Suns. That move can?t be made until July 22, when the 2005-06 salary cap number is revealed and free agents can be officially signed. The Suns would then have seven days (until July 29) to exercise their right to match a deal for the restricted free agent. But in a Saturday meeting at the Las Vegas Summer League with Johnson?s agent, Arn Tellem, Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo and team president Bryan Colangelo ? it was made clear the Suns will match any offer to retain Johnson. ESPN.com has reported the Hawks will likely front-load the contract in an attempt to lure Johnson ? offering him as much as $20 million in the first season, pending final cap numbers, although it is unclear if the new collective bargaining agreement will allow teams to do so. But either way, the Suns have said they will do whatever it takes to keep him. As expected, keeping Johnson will be an expensive endeavor. The Suns, who can offer Johnson as much as the six-year, $90 million deal the Bucks will reportedly pay to keep Michael Redd in Milwaukee, are believed to have made an initial offer of just more than $60 million for six seasons last week ? knowing they reserved the right to match any future offer Johnson received. The Hawks desperately need to make a splash in Atlanta. And with top free agents Redd, Ray Allen (resigned with Seattle) and Larry Hughes (signed with Cleveland) already off the board, Johnson is the highest-profile free agent still available. And since the Suns are already paying maximum contracts to Steve Nash and Shawn Marion and are assured to do likewise with Amar? Stoudemire beginning in 2007-08, keeping Johnson at a huge number would put major pressure on the payroll. </div> Source
I still don't believe Phoenix will match, I've heard the rumors, but I still believe it's just a bluff to try and get teams to not even make an offer sheet to Joe Johnson.
i hope they dont match. if we get joe we can attract curry or dalambert more easily to sign here. if we get 2 or 3 freeagents we will have a great chance to make the playoffs.
I don't think Dalembert is going anywhere unless he is offered a HUGE contract. The 76ers will give him 6 years without a doubt, it just comes down to how much they want to pay this guy for his potential. 8-10 Million Dollars a year could cripple The 76ers payroll with Chris Webber, Allen Iverson, and Jamal Mashburn making BANK. The Hawks could aquire Dalembert if they offer him somewhere around 5 Years 45 Million. The 76ers won't match that. If they did they'd be looking at 85 Million Dollar Payroll, which isn't good at all for a team that's barely making the playoffs every year. I'm all for Dalembert in Hawks uniform if that means he can actually play 35-40 Minutes a Night.
if Johnson gets a max contract, it will end up being the worst contract since brian grant's. good player, but the max contract will end up biting atlanta in the ass two or three years down the road.
are you kidding?! brian grant was NOWHERE where JJ is when he got a max. besides, JJ has the makings of a 5 time all star type of guy. brian grant just sucks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting lessthanjake:</div><div class="quote_post">are you kidding?! brian grant was NOWHERE where JJ is when he got a max. besides, JJ has the makings of a 5 time all star type of guy. brian grant just sucks.</div> Brian Grant was a solid player back in the day, even though he wasn't deserving of a max contract. Injuries and age bit him in the ass though. I just hope JJ stays healthy if he gets a max contract. Atlanta could be a suprise team next season.
I guess we'll see on the 22 is Phoenix Matches it or not but don't get your hopes up, just visit the Suns website: http://www.suns.com
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting lessthanjake:</div><div class="quote_post">^ he might have been solid, but he wasn't as good as JJ is now.</div> Of course he wasn't at JJ's level. I really hope Johnson goes to the Hawks though, and hopefully other teams can start to acknowledge the Hawks as a legit team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting giftedvisionz:</div><div class="quote_post">Of course he wasn't at JJ's level. I really hope Johnson goes to the Hawks though, and hopefully other teams can start to acknowledge the Hawks as a legit team.</div> hey gifted visions. this is off topic but kobe isent on ure usa team? how can u not put him on there he is one of the best players in the league
