SB Nation Atlanta - Joe Johnson Accepts Hawks' Six-Year, $123.7 Million Offer

Joe Johnson Accepts Hawks' Six-Year, $123.7 Million Offer

2010-07-09T01:04:20Z

In quite possibly the biggest NBA free agency news of the day*, Joe has signed the Hawks' maximum-money offer:

We've said all we can say on Joe Johnson's new contract, so let's hear from the man himself. Via Sporting News Radio:

"Although I explored several different opportunities this offseason, Atlanta was the place I wanted to be," Johnson said. "I truly appreciate the commitment shown by the Hawks and the team’s ownership, and their continued efforts to improve the team. Staying in Atlanta provides the best opportunity to win today and in the future. My five years with the Hawks have been the best of my career, and I look forward to my teammates and I trying to reach our ultimate goal together – competing for a championship for the city of Atlanta."

* No.

Rumor: With Joe Johnson Aboard, Hawks Look To Add Shaq?

2010-07-06T01:34:09Z

From Fanhouse, via Hoopinion:

Free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal is seriously considering a two-year deal with the Hawks that starts at the mid-level exception of $5.8 million, according to NBA sources close to both the team and the future Hall of Fame player. ... "I think he wants to see how everything shakes out with all the free agents, but he's seriously considering Atlanta's offer,'' said the source who asked that his name not be used. "He wants to play two more years, and he wants it to be with a contender. He thinks he can help them become a serious one."

Could legendary former Yellow Jacket Dennis Scott be one of Fanhouse's sources? He was teammates with Shaq for five seasons in Orlando (Remember Shaq played in Orlando? TANGENT: if you really want to feel old, Google shaquille recruit and look at all the youngsters who were named after Shaq and are now off to play college ball. Happy birthday, Grandpa!), after all.

Anyway, legendary former Dawg David Pollack says Dennis Scott says Shaq would like to be a Hawk:

Hoopinion isn't exactly elated, but our own Peachtree Hoops sees a silver lining -- Al Horford, motivational speaker!

Joe Johnson's Agent: 'When The Hawks Offered Six Years, He Happily Reciprocated.'

2010-07-04T22:03:43Z

Arn Tellem, Joe Johnson’s agent, announced Johnson’s six-year signing via the Huffington Post-Content Pageviews Slideshow Outlet & Olde Tyme Anti-Immunization Tinfoil Hat Dispensary, Inc. for some reason.

While the line “When Joe came to Atlanta, the Hawks were NBA doormats, and not especially welcoming ones at that” isn’t exactly the most endearing thing an agent has ever written about a city, fanbase, and team, at least it’s an about-face from Johnson’s own “We could care less if [the fans] showed up or not … When I first got here, man, there were probably like 100 people out there in those seats.” Oh, nevermind — it’s actually exactly the same. Perhaps we can excuse Iso Joe’s recent bouts of self-inflation, now that we know his corner men have been telling him all along that he’s the sole savior of Atlanta Hawks basketball.

Hawks fans aren’t happy about keeping Johnson. Instead of bragging that the talent evaluator who drafted Kwame Brown thought highly of the “tenacious” (Tellem’s word) Johnson ten years ago (we’re still waiting on Jordan’s thoughts on Johnson’s playoff performances), you should have written about how great this city has been to Iso Joe and how grateful he is to acquire a gigantic raise from a cash-strapped franchise.

Basketball always has been, and always will be, the fourth game in town here, at best — behind college football, baseball, and pro football. It’s not Johnson’s fault — not even the far greater Dominique Wilkins was able to shift that balance. Regardless, Tellem’s client has made over $50 million in Atlanta, and now stands to make a whole lot more. Let’s stop acting like Hawks fans should be thanking Johnson for his gracious acceptance of a max-length, max-money offer despite not being one of the league’s 20 best players while at or very near the peak of his career.

You’re right about one thing — Johnson’s contract has certainly brought national attention to Atlanta basketball. I’d love to see Johnson become a draw for another big-name free agent, a balanced team player, and an over-competitive monster. I’d love to have to eat my words. I, and most other Hawks fans, just don’t foresee that switch getting flipped.

Yahoo!: Joe Johnson No Longer Considering Knicks And Bulls

2010-07-04T12:55:39Z

From Woj's Twitter, via Peachtree Hoops.

"Long since moved on" ... so why did ESPN say Chicago and New York were still in the running just yesterday? Clearly the Mothership's big-market bias shines through even when it comes to NBA free agency. They think Joe Johnson is a third baseman debating between the Yankees and Cubs!

We'll trust Woj on this one, unless any rumors bubble up on CBS about Joe becoming Notre Dame's head football coach. Wait a second, Raycom's now reporting Joe has merged his conference with the ACC...

ESPN: Joe Johnson Still Considering Knicks And Bulls

2010-07-03T13:35:02Z

From ESPN, via Hoopinion:

Sources said Johnson was still considering whether it would be a better career move to play in New York or Chicago, and his ultimate decision would hinge upon which of the top free agents make commitments to those teams.

Either Joe’s trying to make it appear that there’s more to this than money, or he’s an endlessly Jordanesque competitor who’s driven by nothing more than team victories. Which is it? Here are his stats from last year’s playoffs, in case you’d like to reference those as you ponder.

Report: Are The Hawks Shopping Marvin Williams?

2010-07-02T01:45:19Z

Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Atlanta Hawks may be looking to move forward Marvin Williams.

Atlanta is shopping small forward Marvin Williams, who regressed a little after a promising 2008-09 season. The Warriors have already contacted the Hawks and might call Houston, if swingmen Trevor Ariza and Shane Battier are really on the trade block.

This report comes shortly after the team has been rumored to offer a huge max extension to Joe Johnson. Williams was given a big dollar contract extension last summer and, while the Hawks can sign both players under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, it would require a huge outlay of cash that Hawks ownership might not be willing to sustain.

Report: Joe Johnson To 'Explore Every Option' Despite Max Offer From Hawks

2010-07-02T01:34:36Z

While the Atlanta Hawks have already made it clear they will offer Joe Johnson a maximum contract worth six years and $119 million, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports tweets that Johnson isn't ready to commit to his team just yet.

Joe Johnson is thinking through several scenarios before taking Hawks offer of $119 million, but sources insist Knicks unappealing to him.less than a minute ago via webAdrian Wojnarowski
WojYahooNBA

Everyone expects Johnson to take Hawks deal, but he wants to explore every option before committing to them. That offer isn't leaving table.less than a minute ago via webAdrian Wojnarowski
WojYahooNBA

One theory has Johnson and his agent remaining patient so that they can explore the sign-and-trade market in an attempt to get the best of both worlds: the $119 million contract and a new preferred destination. Given that the full max offer to Johnson was considered something of a surprise, it will be very interesting to see how much interest he receives from other teams at that price.

Agent: Johnson To Meet With Hawks Again, Will Decide Future Soon

2010-07-01T18:52:52Z

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com exchanged emails with Arn Tellem, Joe Johnson’s agent, and learned that the Hawks’ All-Star swingman is nearing a decision on where to sign. From Tellem’s email:

We plan to meet with the Hawks again [Thursday] to discuss the details of their offer and we hope to make a decision in the near future.

Berger wonders why Johnson would need any time to decide between a $120 million offer from the Hawks and a $90 million offer from any other team. He got an answer:

In fact, one executive within the league said that perhaps the only reason Johnson has waited this long to commit to the Hawks is that he’s enjoying the recruiting process that so many of the top free agents have coveted.