<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Suns are going to lose Joe Johnson, and they're going to tell you that it was all Johnson's idea. After all, Johnson told ESPN.com last week that he had asked Managing Partner Robert Sarver not to match an offer sheet that Johnson planned to sign with the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. The team reportedly has decided to work a sign-and-trade deal with the Hawks and to let Johnson have what he wants. Trouble is, Johnson would not have needed to sign an offer sheet, nor would he have become disgruntled, if the Suns hadn't attempted to low-ball him twice. It's well documented that Sarver ignored the advice of his basketball people and would not agree to give Johnson $50 million for six years last summer when he had the chance, refusing to budge off a $45 million offer. Johnson responded by having a terrific season, and the Suns won 62 games while he was feeding off the league's Most Valuable Player, Steve Nash, and hitting 47.8 percent from three-point range. So how did the Suns reward Johnson for that season? Another low-ball offer, this time $60 million for six years, even as Milwaukee was offering free-agent shooting guard Michael Redd about $90 million for six years. So Johnson and his agent, Arn Tellem, went looking for a maximum deal. The Suns, after increasing their offer to $60 million over five years, insisted they'd match any offer. Why? So nobody would make one. But Atlanta did, and the rumblings quickly began about Sarver balking at matching the front-loaded deal and the Suns looking to work a sign-and-trade. Of course, Sarver and the Suns again insisted they would match Atlanta's offer. Why? Because it was the only leverage left to make the sign-and-trade happen and avoid losing Johnson with nothing in return. Look, if the Suns really wanted Johnson, they could have simply agreed to match the offer as they promised. Johnson's performance last season proved that he can produce and remain professional even when he believes he has been insulted. It's apparent that he would have continued to get along just fine with his teammates, otherwise why would he fly to Toronto to take part in Nash's charity game along with Shawn Marion? </div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post"> Source </div> I don't think Sarver loballed JJ at all. The decision to not sign JJ last year was a difficult decision. I would not have signed JJ to a $50 million contract last year either. As I have stated he had not shown the Suns FO that he could play well on a consistent basis. He had great potential but was a little bit of a mystery. Also for the article to say the Suns loballed JJ with the 6 year $60 deal is bogus. While I wanted JJ back (even for $70 million) I am sure almost everyone here will say he was being overpaid. Sarver still wanted to match Atlanta's deal and keep JJ in Phoenix. JJ made the mistake in wanting out. For the record I would rather have Diaw, Finley, and two first rounders anyway.
