Marc Stein is reporting that the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks are on the verge of completing a sign and trade with restricted free agent, Joe Johnson.
The proposed deal, according to sources, would bring guard Boris Diaw and two lottery-protected future first-round picks to Phoenix -- along with a trade exception in the $5 million range -- after Johnson signs a contract under terms established by Atlanta: $70 million over five years with an estimated balloon payment of $20 million up front.
Johnson has agreed to sign a five-year/seventy million dollar contract with the Hawks.
After maintaining for weeks that it would match any offer sheet Johnson signs, Phoenix chose a new course this weekend, ultimately deciding it was better for team chemistry to pursue a sign-and-trade with Atlanta instead of investing huge sums in a player who wants to leave.
Via ESPN
Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns
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A report on Friday indicated that Joe Johnson told the Suns that he doesn't want them to match the offer sheet he signs with the Hawks.
But Johnson also said Friday to Toronto's "The Fan" radio station when asked whether Phoenix was the best scenario for him.
"Probably so, more than likely so," Johnson said before a long, deep breath. "It's going to be tough. It's going to be real tough. Hopefully, everything will work out like we want it."
His posturing may have more to do with ensuring that a five-year offer that may be worth almost $72 million (with $18 million up front) is still on the table Tuesday.
Those close to him said he was upset when Phoenix would not go up $5 million to meet his request for $50 million for six years last summer, when the Suns gave Quentin Richardson a six-year, $43.5 million deal.
He was further unsettled this month when Phoenix offered $60 million for six years and asked him to choose between it and the Atlanta offer at one point. That prompted his request to Sarver, who intends to match the Hawks' offer. He has a week to do so once Johnson signs Atlanta's offer.
"It's a lot of things," Johnson told ESPN.com when asked why he would want to leave Phoenix. "It's the way things were handled last summer, how things have been handled this summer. There's been some things going on that aren't great."
Via AzCentral.com
Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks
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Steven Hunter, who showed much promise in his one year in Phoenix, is a free agent who is expected to make a decision this weekend about where he will play next year. He has narrowed his choices down to four teams - Dallas, New Jersey, Atlanta and Phoenix.
Hunter hopes to stay in Phoenix but could not get more than a one-year commitment for the minimum exception ($1.7 million) plus an option year from the team.
The 7-foot center is looking for a four or five-year deal and could end up with the Mavericks.
Via Arizona Republic
Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, New Jersey Nets
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Suns Jul 2005 Archive
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Arizona Republic | Jul 30, 2005
Joe Johnson told ESPN.
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RealGM | Jul 29, 2005
Reports are beginning to come in that Joe Johnson intends to sign an offer sheet with the Atlanta Hawks. Johnson is a restricted free agent and the Suns will have seven days to match.
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East Valley Tribune | Jul 29, 2005
The Phoenix Suns are apparently set to sign unrestricted free agent forward Scott Padgett to a multi-year deal when contracts can be officially tendered next week.
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ESPN | Jul 27, 2005
On Wednesday the Suns agreed to send center Jake Voskuhl to the Charlotte Bobcats for a conditional second round pick, a Suns team souce said told Chad Ford.
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The Arizona Republic | Jul 26, 2005
The Suns brimmed in June with as much confidence about re-signing Joe Johnson as they would about defending the Pacific Division title.
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Arizona Republic | Jul 20, 2005
The Suns carried a secret on their bench in the Vegas Summer League.
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Dallas Morning News | Jul 18, 2005
According to Eddie Sefko from the Dallas Morning News almost everybody talked about Michael Finley in the past tense Monday.
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Arizona Republic | Jul 18, 2005
Suns assistant Marc Iavorini was mentioned for several head coaching jobs this offseason but even though he did not get a head gig, he is happy to return to Phoenix as Mike D'Antoni's top assistant.
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AZCentral.com | Jul 16, 2005
According to John Gambadoro, Joe Johnson has told people close to him that he wants to part ways with the Phoenix Suns and play for the Atlanta Hawks.
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CNNSI | Jul 16, 2005
Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen reports that Isiah Thomas might take a run later at Phoenix forward Shawn Marion, whose remaining deal for four years and $63 million could become prohibitive if the Suns retain Joe Johnson and re-sign Amare Stoudemire to max deals.
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NY Post | Jul 15, 2005
The NY Post is reporting that contrary to previous sentiments, the Suns have made no commitment to matching Joe Johnson's pending Hawks' $70M, 5-year offer sheet.
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Arizona Republic | Jul 12, 2005
The Phoenix Suns have signed second-round draft pick Dijon Thompson of UCLA, the team said on Monday.
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Suns Press Release | Jul 11, 2005
The Phoenix Suns announced today the signing of rookie Dijon Thompson, the 54th pick overall in the 2005 NBA Draft.
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ESPN | Jul 10, 2005
Joe Johnson's camp was informed Saturday that the Phoenix Suns intend to match Atlanta's expected five-year, $70 million offer to the restricted free agent, according to NBA front-office sources that spoke with ESPN's Marc Stein.
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Globe and Mail | Jul 9, 2005
Canada has only two players in the National Basketball Association, and Robert MacLeod of the Globe and Mail writes that it appears there's a rift between them over a basketball game.
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Arizona Republic | Jul 8, 2005
The Hawks are expected to offer restricted free agent, Joe Johnson, a maximum contract on July 22nd.
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East Valley Tribune | Jul 7, 2005
The East Valley Tribune is reporting that once things settle down for the Suns the team will begin negotiations for a contract extension for head coach Mike D’Antoni.
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East Valley Tribune | Jul 6, 2005
Contrary to previous rumors, The Phoenix Suns do plan to keep back-up point guard Leandro Barbosa and continue his development.
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Arizona Republic | Jul 6, 2005
The Suns have made a contract offer to restricted free agent Joe Johnson and are waiting for Johnson's response.
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Arizona Republic | Jul 5, 2005
Watching assistant coach Marc Iavaroni joyfully oversee the first day of workouts for the Suns' summer league team, David Vest of the Arizona Republic writes, one would never guess he's waiting to hear whether he has a job with another team.
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East Valley Tribune | Jul 4, 2005
Suns guard Joe Johnson was expected to be one of the most coveted free agents this summer, but thus far his door has been far from beat down. The reason? His restricted free agent status.
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Deseret Morning News | Jul 3, 2005
With Raja Bell already gone to Phoenix the Utah Jazz find themselves with some extra spending money to use this summer.
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Deseret News | Jul 2, 2005
The Phoenix Suns are the first to strike in this summer’s free agent market, agreeing to terms with unrestricted free agent Raja Bell.
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East Valley Tribune | Jul 2, 2005
Amaré Stoudemire expressed confidence Thursday that he and the Suns organization will be able to work out a contract extension before next season begins.
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NorthJersey.com | Jul 1, 2005
The New York Knicks have finally sealed the deal sending Kurt Thomas and Dijon Thompson to the Phoenix Suns.
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ESPN | Jul 1, 2005
Raja Bell, used as a reserve off the bench for the Utah Jazz last season, has agreed to a deal with the Phoenix Suns, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported.
