Joe Johnson and his "wink, wink deal" with New York Knicks

by hawksdawgs on Mar 12, 2010 11:51 AM EST

After thinking for about four minutes on this Joe Johnson to the New York Knicks in a "wink, wink deal" because his agent has known Donnie Walsh for 20 years, I have decided it is a bit ridiculous. Not because Joe would never go to the Knicks, but for the reason given. Does Joe Johnson care about who his agent knows? Does he care about who he is friends with? Is that why he has an agent? No, Joe has an agent to get the most money at the place he most wants to be.

Even if we want to say Joe Johnson desires to do whatever will help his agent's personal life, it does not match up with what happened this summer. Joe and his advisers came to the Hawks to discuss the future. This is according to Rick Sund, and Sund personally told me they offered Joe an extension, but in doing so, informed Joe (or at least admitted to Joe) that an extension does not offer the same contract structuring that being an unrestricted free agent does. Sund literally told me, "it was in Joe's best interest not to sign anything last summer." And the Hawks told him so.

I have no idea if Joe Johnson wanted to or was planning on signing when he reached out about an extension, and I have no clue if Joe's opinion of the Hawks and where he wants to go has changed over the course of this season. Moreover, I don't know if the Hawks organization has changed their opinion on Joe (although Sund said this season will not alter his value of Joe) as far as his place in the Hawks' plan going forward.

Yet, the history so far does not match the story coming out now. Was Joe's agent taking a break from Walsh last summer? Why did Joe not sign with Indiana a few years back? I get that the extra cap space in New York now may now be inciting or Joe just feels he is not willing to give up shots to Josh Smith or any number of things, but it is a bit ridiculous to say things have changed so dramatically because an agent goes to the beach with the Knicks GM.

Then again, I am not quoting any anonymous Eastern Conference GMs either.

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Comments

Imagine the Foul trouble Al & Josh will be next year

when opposing guards blow by Bibby & Crawford all game long next season….

by one66soul on Mar 12, 2010 11:58 AM EST reply actions

*in

by one66soul on Mar 12, 2010 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

And maybe

it wouldn’t hurt for more minutes for Marvin/Mo Evans would help the defense? Don’t know the numbers, but a thought independent of any additional talent.

by The Human Highlight Blog on Mar 12, 2010 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

I don't see Bibby getting many minutes next year. JJ here or not.

by RivBoatGambler on Mar 13, 2010 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

He'll get at least 20 per...

who else ya got? Teague ain’t ready yet for 2500+ minutes

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 14, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Rick Sund will have to earn his check

by going out to get better defenders. Hoopinion does a good job harping on the fact that a large part of why we don’t play good defense is 1) scheme (switch!) 2) We just don’t acquire defensive minded players.

by The Human Highlight Blog on Mar 12, 2010 12:19 PM EST reply actions

How many strong defenders do we have?...

Bibby is a smart player, but he clearly has his limitations on D. Crawford has the physical tools, but lacks effort and sucks there too. Marvin is solid, as is Joe and Horf, but neither are 1st team All NBA defense types either. And while Horford is solid defensively, his C position leave him susceptible to extreme mismatches size wise. Smooth is decent help, but not so much on man. Zaza tries. We don’t force a lot of turnovers, don’t have a shot blocker, and lack quality man defenders inside and out. But Woody is surely all about defense huh? What a great idea, let’s match a defensive coach with no offensive concept with a bunch of offensive minded players that aren’t good defenders. It’ll be like peanut butter and bananas!

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 12, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

Part of it is also due to players being afraid to commit fouls because they know Woodson will remove them from the game and stuff them into a black hole on the bench for the rest of the quarter/half. One more reason to hire a new coach rather than giving Woody an extension.

by redwards95 on Mar 12, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Childress would solve a lot of those problems. He would play the Bibby minutes.

by RivBoatGambler on Mar 13, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

he is made for the switching defense.

by RivBoatGambler on Mar 13, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Honest question...Could there possibly be a worse place for Joe to go than NYC?

We are talking about a small-town kid who has often bristled at the most minute criticism in a one-paper, small Southern town. NYC will chew him up and spit him out. Good luck to him if he goes, but he will regret it every day.

by Fred Pen on Mar 12, 2010 1:00 PM EST reply actions

Give me a break.

Atlanta is a small southern town?

by Duff_Man on Mar 12, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Also, every FA is written as going to NY.

Every year it happens. Oh “New York is where _______ should play. It’s such a great market!”

It’s such a fallacy that it is hilarious.

by Duff_Man on Mar 12, 2010 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

In media terms compared to NY...

yeah. Although the AJC is known for its haters (Moore, Bradley, Schultz, crotchety old Bisher).

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 12, 2010 2:34 PM EST up reply actions

I have been smacking my teeth for about three days now when it comes to jj

So many rumors, speculations, this is getting ridiculous.

by Hawksgirl on Mar 12, 2010 2:30 PM EST reply actions

JJ in New York by himself is like a fish out of water

This is interesting, no FA wants to go to NY by himself, because it is too much to overhaul that team by oneself. So one of them has to make a big bet that NY can sign the other one. So if NY has commitments from JJ, it makes it easier for them to sell themselves to Bosh or LeBron or ….

I really don’t think JJ is leaving though. This is his town, his team, and he is learning to trust Smoove and Lion, two all stars in making.

To go to NY, he has to start from scratch, and prove himself all over again. Just don’t see that happening. This is his home. Sweeten the pie a little, sell him on the fact that economy sucks, and show him the plan for future improvements in ATL, where a championship team is possible with minor tinkering, as opposed to major rebuilding in NY. The smell of dogwoods and azaleas in Spring, is not to be confused with smoke of taxicabs & sewage streets of Gotham

by ATLpaul on Mar 12, 2010 4:25 PM EST reply actions

what he said

Now can we get back to the here and now? the present

IF YOU CANT ACCEPT LOSING, YOU CANT WIN.

by Hawksgirl on Mar 12, 2010 6:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yawn!

by DPhenomenal1 on Mar 12, 2010 4:57 PM EST reply actions

don’t we still have to finish the season for this to be relevant or is a second round loss a forgone conclusion?

by atlantasports...LOL! on Mar 12, 2010 7:59 PM EST reply actions

What are the chances the Wizards bring back Randy Foye?...

If Joe walks, I’d be willing to take a chance that Foye can flourish with a better role (SG, not PG), on a better team (he’s always played with crap). The guy can shoot, and is a solid offensive player. If he didn’t want a long term, high dollar deal, he’d definitely be a good one to add.
Just think if we can split Joe’s salary between say Foye (5-8 per) and ol’ Chill (5-8 per), draft Gani Lawal or another solid backup big, and you have a rotation of
Bibby/Teague
Chill/Foye
Marvin/Crawford
Smooth/Lawal
Horf/Zaza

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 13, 2010 9:25 AM EST reply actions

Oh, and it has the added bonus...

of freeing up Crawford money the next year that can go to a PG, or if Teague steps up, to fortifying the bench/extending Horf and others.

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 13, 2010 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

It's real simple....

….with the exception of NY signing LeBron AND Joe….if Joe wants to be on a winner, he’ll re-sign with ATL. If he only wants money and more shots, he’ll go somewhere else. ATL is the only sure thing he has for the duration of what is more than likely Joe’s last long-term NBA contract. Chicago, NY, NJ or the Clippers do not present the possibility of a sure-fire annual contender. Atlanta does in its present and future form.

by JJDawg on Mar 14, 2010 8:43 AM EDT reply actions

right

I agree if he wants to win he will stay in ATL, and Joe’s playing style will make him valuable for a long time. He will be somebody’s Ray allen, 5yrs from now even if he’s not with ATL

by Cmart34 on Mar 15, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions