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http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0801suns0801.html
JJ going to Hawks for Diaw, 2 picks
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 1, 2005 12:00 AM
Asked by Suns brass whether he would rather be in Atlanta starring on a losing team or a cast member in Phoenix on a winning team, Joe Johnson picked the Hawks.
He will get his wish Tuesday in a sign-and-trade deal.
Trade-talk wheels began turning faster Thursday when Johnson told Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver that he did not want him to match a five-year, $69.6 million offer with Atlanta.
Johnson will be the second starter traded this summer from the Suns' conference finals team.
Phoenix will sign Johnson to Atlanta's terms and trade him to the Hawks for two-year guard Boris Diaw, two first-round picks (a protected Atlanta one and another the Hawks acquired) and a $4.9 million trade exception that can be used to offset salary gaps in a future deal.
The arrow points both ways in the blame game. Johnson was upset that the Suns would not give him $50 million over six years last summer and then offered $60 million over five years last month as a counter to Atlanta's maximum deal.
He had hoped Phoenix would open July with a huge offer, became upset when he was asked to choose between offers and rejected a Suns request to restructure the $69.6 million.
His Atlanta deal will include a $20 million payment this month.
Johnson told several people that being a third option on the Suns was "unacceptable." He reportedly resented teammates' star treatment and disliked Amaré Stoudemire after a March halftime incident in Miami.
After Dwyane Wade's 19-point half, Stoudemire barked at Johnson in front of the team: "Are you going to play any (expletive) defense?"
Stoudemire got seven shots in the next game and then sat out two with ankle inflammation. Johnson played his best ball after that but told friends he would never re-sign.
Many close to the situation are adamant that Sarver was not willing to pay for his mistake from last summer, when he ignored advice to give Johnson an extra $5 million over six years.
Those people said Sarver never intended to match the offer and was looking for an out, particularly after issuing internal promises. Johnson provided an out by saying he would rather run the point in Atlanta.
Johnson did tell ESPN.com that he would work hard and put everything behind him if Phoenix matched Atlanta's offer, but Sarver did not want to pay steeply for a player who did not want to be with him and possibly could disrupt team chemistry.
If Phoenix had matched Atlanta's offer, a cash call may have gone out because of $55 million going to starters, an over-budget team payroll and a projected $72 million payroll (with a $10 million tax hit) in 2006-2007.
A star player - not Johnson, because of a front-loaded deal - probably would have been traded next year.
Losing money is said to be not an option for Sarver, even if a title would boost the franchise's value.
The ordeal did not go to a management committee vote.
Phoenix might recover if Dallas waives Michael Finley, as expected, under the amnesty rule.
The Mavericks want to find a trade to keep Finley from a rival but may not find a taker for his contract, with three years and $51.8 million left.
Phoenix could sign him for a minimum deal because he will collect all of his Dallas money and would be lured by his former team, close friend Steve Nash and a possible starting job.
The Suns also could get help by using the trade exception during the season if a non-contender wants to dump a salary.
Phoenix has tried to acquire Diaw, 23, before and sees the 6-foot-8 French guard as the potential backup point to Nash. He defends and runs well but lacks a long-distance touch.
JJ going to Hawks for Diaw, 2 picks
Paul Coro
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 1, 2005 12:00 AM
Asked by Suns brass whether he would rather be in Atlanta starring on a losing team or a cast member in Phoenix on a winning team, Joe Johnson picked the Hawks.
He will get his wish Tuesday in a sign-and-trade deal.
Trade-talk wheels began turning faster Thursday when Johnson told Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver that he did not want him to match a five-year, $69.6 million offer with Atlanta.
Johnson will be the second starter traded this summer from the Suns' conference finals team.
Phoenix will sign Johnson to Atlanta's terms and trade him to the Hawks for two-year guard Boris Diaw, two first-round picks (a protected Atlanta one and another the Hawks acquired) and a $4.9 million trade exception that can be used to offset salary gaps in a future deal.
The arrow points both ways in the blame game. Johnson was upset that the Suns would not give him $50 million over six years last summer and then offered $60 million over five years last month as a counter to Atlanta's maximum deal.
He had hoped Phoenix would open July with a huge offer, became upset when he was asked to choose between offers and rejected a Suns request to restructure the $69.6 million.
His Atlanta deal will include a $20 million payment this month.
Johnson told several people that being a third option on the Suns was "unacceptable." He reportedly resented teammates' star treatment and disliked Amaré Stoudemire after a March halftime incident in Miami.
After Dwyane Wade's 19-point half, Stoudemire barked at Johnson in front of the team: "Are you going to play any (expletive) defense?"
Stoudemire got seven shots in the next game and then sat out two with ankle inflammation. Johnson played his best ball after that but told friends he would never re-sign.
Many close to the situation are adamant that Sarver was not willing to pay for his mistake from last summer, when he ignored advice to give Johnson an extra $5 million over six years.
Those people said Sarver never intended to match the offer and was looking for an out, particularly after issuing internal promises. Johnson provided an out by saying he would rather run the point in Atlanta.
Johnson did tell ESPN.com that he would work hard and put everything behind him if Phoenix matched Atlanta's offer, but Sarver did not want to pay steeply for a player who did not want to be with him and possibly could disrupt team chemistry.
If Phoenix had matched Atlanta's offer, a cash call may have gone out because of $55 million going to starters, an over-budget team payroll and a projected $72 million payroll (with a $10 million tax hit) in 2006-2007.
A star player - not Johnson, because of a front-loaded deal - probably would have been traded next year.
Losing money is said to be not an option for Sarver, even if a title would boost the franchise's value.
The ordeal did not go to a management committee vote.
Phoenix might recover if Dallas waives Michael Finley, as expected, under the amnesty rule.
The Mavericks want to find a trade to keep Finley from a rival but may not find a taker for his contract, with three years and $51.8 million left.
Phoenix could sign him for a minimum deal because he will collect all of his Dallas money and would be lured by his former team, close friend Steve Nash and a possible starting job.
The Suns also could get help by using the trade exception during the season if a non-contender wants to dump a salary.
Phoenix has tried to acquire Diaw, 23, before and sees the 6-foot-8 French guard as the potential backup point to Nash. He defends and runs well but lacks a long-distance touch.
