Around the NBA
Hawks Shed Salary By Trading Joe Johnson & Marvin Williams
Joe Johnson has been traded from Atlanta to Brooklyn. The Nets trade Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmer, Johan Petro, Deshawn Stevenson, Jordan Williams, and a protected first round pick (form Houston) to the Hawks. Trade has been agreed in principle and will be finalized on July 11.
Johnson is a maximum contract player. Obviously, he isn’t the best player in the league or even elite all-around. However, he is an excellent shooter and isolation scorer that is likely to be paired with Deron Williams for an all-star back court. In regards to Johnson and his contract, Atlanta chose to overpay him and the system can be faulted for bad contracts, but with great pay comes great accountability. There’s two sides to every coin unless you’re a magician, and this does hamper the Nets’ chances of landing Dwight Howard.
After requesting a trade, Josh Smith has had a change of heart after these moves and seeing what the franchise is trying to do.
Hawks make another move, sending Marvin Williams to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Devin Harris. Harris is in the final year of his contract.
Big Things Popping in the ATL?
After shedding salary between Johnson, Williams, with Harris’ contract coming off the books next year, rumors are swirling that the Hawks and new GM Danny Ferry are plotting big moves. Atlanta happens to be the hometown of Dwight Howard, and two of his good friends are Josh Smith and the newly acquired Anthony Morrow. Back to Harris entering his last year on the deal, the Hawks have the cap space and are positioning themselves to snag Chris Paul in free agency next offseason. Paul recently rejected a contract extension proposed by the Clippers.
In Other News
Deron Williams will meet with Dallas and Brooklyn on Monday. He is expected to stay with the Nets, and Jason Kidd is believed to follow.
All-Star Center Roy Hibbert is a restricted free agent, and he has verbally agreed to Portland’s maximum contract offer. The Blazer are expected to steal Hibbert from Indiana.
On the flip-side of possibly losing Roy Hibbert, Indiana will meet with Chris Kaman.
Speaking of the Pacers they acquired George Hill from San Antonio last season, and Hill has agreed on a 5-year deal to be their franchise point guard.
3 years and $34 million for Kevin Garnett to stay in Boston.
Gerald Wallace joins the Brooklyn Nets on a 4-year, $40 million deal.
As expected, Phoenix (2-years) and Toronto (3-years) have made proposals to the ageless Steve Nash.
If Nash decides to head to New York, Phoenix is interested in a sign-and-trade for Landry Fields.
The Knicks might bring back Raymond Felton if Nash doesn’t make his way to the Big apple, especially if Jeremy Lin vacates the premises. Lin has received interest from Dallas, Toronto, and New Jersey.
About bringing players back, the Mavericks want Steve Nash back in town.
Mavericks are talking to Anthony Randolph and C.J. Miles.
Marcus Camby wants to win a ring and is considering Miami, San Anotnio, Boston, New York, and Dallas.
The Suns are scheduled to meet with the prized Eric Gordon and swingman Michael Beasley. They also expressed interest in Ray Allen and resigning Grant Hill.
It seems that everyone wants some of Eric Gordon, wouldn’t it be great if he stayed in New Orleans with Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers?
First overall pick Anthony Davis sprained his ankle, he’s out for Team U.S.A.
Grizzlies make O.J. Mayo an unrestricted free agent and offer Ray Allen the full mid-level for a couple years. Boston has declared Ray Allen their top priority.
If Allen leaves the Celtics they have their eyes on Jason Terry along with the Clippers.. Dallas would like to keep the veteran Terry.
Minnesota has put a 5-year, $45 million on the table for the services of restricted free agent Nicholas Batum.
Andrei Kirilenko and Nenad Krstic were in the NBA and left to play overseas. Word is that they are leaving CSKA Moscow to rejoin the Association.
Rockets ink Chicago’s restricted free agent Omer Asik to a 3-year back-loaded contract worth $25 million.
Lavoy Allen signs an extension with Philadelphia for 2 more years and $6 million.
Denver keeps Andre Miller with a 3-year contract.
Golden state is courting J.J. Hickson and negotiating a deal.
The Bucks, Cavaliers, Spurs and Raptors are in the hunt for Ersan Ilyasova, coming off his best season.
Spurs extend a qualifying offer to Danny Green, but the Jazz have made inquiries.
Chicago reaches out to Kirk Hinrich with an offer.
Pistons reach agreement with Ukrainian Center Vyacheslav Kravtsov.
Hasheem Thabeet interacts with the Thunder after extending head coach Scott Brooks for 4 more seasons.
Darius Morris accepts a qualifying offer from the Lakers.
Celtics will indeed keep Jeff Green, coming off a scary heart condition that sidelined him last year.
Goran Dragic is getting looks from the Rockets, Raptors, Suns, Nets, Hornets and Lakers.
The Kings court Ryan Anderson.
The Celtics, Pacers and Suns are in the mix for Mayo.
Warriors talking to Jordan Hill before several other suitors.
Brandon Roy To Meet With Bulls, Pacers, Mavericks, Warriors, Wolves.
Rashard Lewis got traded from the Wizards and gets waived by the Hornets.