<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It appears that Joe Johnson's wish to swap a supporting role in Phoenix for star status in Atlanta is on the verge of being granted. NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that the Suns and Hawks have locked into serious trade discussions that could send Johnson to the Eastern Conference via sign-and-trade as early as Tuesday afternoon. The proposed deal, according to sources, would bring guard Boris Diaw and two lottery-protected future first-round picks to Phoenix -- along with a trade exception in the $5 million range -- after Johnson signs a contract under terms established by Atlanta: $70 million over five years with an estimated balloon payment of $20 million up front</div> ESPN
I would have rather gone after Al Harrington if I was going to give up JJ. That way, the Suns can still be a contender next year, but now, Boris Diaw isn't going to really help. They did manage to get two first rounders (probably lottery protected), though. Nevertheless, a bad move by the Suns
I disagree - their choice was to either pay max dollars for a player that doesn't want to be there, let him walk for nothing or take what the Hawks offer. Atlanta played it well - they didn't offer too much, but just enough for the Suns to bite (a defensive, athletic wing and a couple of picks). They'll save Harrington to try and land a centre, not waste him in a situation they clearly had the upper hand in.
i agree with desmond. at least PHO got something out of it. and ATL played it great. they kept baby Al and still got JJ. maybe now billy knight will get a little respect.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">I disagree - their choice was to either pay max dollars for a player that doesn't want to be there, let him walk for nothing or take what the Hawks offer. Atlanta played it well - they didn't offer too much, but just enough for the Suns to bite (a defensive, athletic wing and a couple of picks). They'll save Harrington to try and land a centre, not waste him in a situation they clearly had the upper hand in.</div> If I were the Suns I would have tried to get Harrington for JJ. If that didn't work and I had to give Johnson max dollars to keep him, I would. Nash isn't getting any younger and with an ever developing Amare around, the time to win is now.
Atlanta should have called Phoenix's bluff instead of giving in and paying even more for JJ. I'd rather trade Al Harrington, who's not needed and likely won't be back, and then package Diaw + 2 Picks to land a servicable center.
Phoenix couldn't have gotten Harrington, they either let JJ walk for nothing or get something and they chose to get something in return which is the smart thing to do. Besides Al isn't that great, he can score pts and grab a few boards, but he did better as a reserve in Indiana. The Suns should have signed JJ last year and they knew he was talented and put up decent #'s, but they figured he was restricted i guess. This is a tough loss for phoenix, but if they did match the offer, the salary cap would be way too high, so Atlanta is ending up with a nice team.
"Lottery protected": Does it mean that the two picks the suns will get will be guaranteed to be lotterty picks?
No.....it means if the Hawks are in the lottery then the Suns don't get the picks....so basically a bad move by the Suns in my opinion
Yeah, thats what I guessed. That is a REALY bad move, Suns probably wont get a pick in 10 years or so...
If the Suns signed Johnson to a max deal, once Amare signs his, they would basically have their whole cap tied up in six players in 06/07. When you add in the fact they'd have to add another eight players, that is a hell of a lot of luxury tax. Atlanta played the situation perfectly, and I think the Suns did about as well as they could. Harrington is overrated and expensive, Diaw is cheap and athletic, and they have those picks there for a rainy day. It's not like the Hawks will never make the playoffs again. I don't understand the fuss over Harrington - he's basically a undersized power forward without a great perimeter game. With Marion around, I don't see the big need. Al would be just as unhappy coming off the bench in Phoenix as he was in Indiana. While Joe is a big loss, the future in Phoenix is Amare, and if they can get Finley on board they'll still be thereabouts.
