Originally Posted on AJC.com
May 22, 2010
No one knows what Hawks guard Joe Johnson will get on the free-agent market this summer and at what point the bidding will become too rich for the Atlanta Spirit ownership group.
What's certain is if Johnson leaves, NBA salary-cap rules would prevent the Hawks from signing a comparable free agent. If Johnson signs elsewhere as a free agent, the Hawks could clear no more than about $8.1 million in salary-cap space. Johnson made nearly $15 million in 2009-10 and stands to get a small raise if his next contract is for the maximum salary.
It's doubtful the Hawks could find a player as effective as Johnson for about half his salary. This essentially increases his value to the Hawks if they hope to build on two consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Several teams have cleared salary room in anticipation of a strong class of free agents. About seven teams could sign Johnson to a maximum contract: the Heat, Knicks, Nets, Wizards, Bulls, Kings and Clippers.Because the group of top-tier players is small -- LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh -- Johnson could be in demand.
He's a four-time All-Star who was voted to the All-NBA team for the first time this season.At the conclusion of the season, Johnson said he hasn't ruled out a return to the Hawks. That's despite a sour ending that included fans booing him for a poor performance in the playoffs and Johnson's flip remarks to media about not caring if fans attend games.Hawks general manager Rick Sund said the team will do everything it can to re-sign Johnson, but he doesn't sign the checks. One person who does, co-owner Michael Gearon Jr., said the Hawks would
