Atlanta Hawks no longer allowed to accept multi-year contracts

[F-Dog]

Got it off ISH, so no link.

Judge slows potential sale to Belkin
But also limits Spitit owners to one-year deals

By TIM TUCKER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/06/06

Rockville, Md. — Steve Belkin won't be taking over the Hawks and Thrashers anytime soon, but the other owners will be operating at an apparent competitive disadvantage against the rest of their leagues.

The Maryland judge who last month ruled that Belkin is entitled to buy out the other Hawks and Thrashers owners at cost issued a stay of the ruling Thursday, but attached a significant condition.

He ordered that the other owners are to "not initiate the purchase, sale, trade or negotiation of any NBA or NHL player contract ... excluding contracts involving present or future draft picks and contracts for any other player with a contract duration of one year or less."

That means that, during an appeal process likely to last a year, the Hawks and Thrashers will not be able to sign free agents to contracts of longer than one year or to make trades for players with more than one year on their contracts.

Such a handcuff seemingly will put the Atlanta Spirit ownership group at a competitive disadvantage against other clubs in the trade and free-agent markets.

Montgomery County (Md.) Circuit Court Judge Eric Johnson said in court Thursday that the order would not apply to players with whom negotiations already have been initiated, meaning, for example, that the Hawks apparently are free to complete their planned signing of free agent point guard Speedy Claxton to a multi-year contract.

As another condition of the stay, the judge ordered the owners to post an appeal bond of $11.4 million – a small fraction of the bond amounts of $120 million to $450 million suggested by Belkin to protect him against any drop in the value of the franchises during appeal.

The judge also ordered that during the appeal process the other owners can make no changes to the teams' current management without the consent of Belkin.

Judge Johnson ruled last month that the owners breached the terms of their agreement to buy out Belkin, triggering Belkin's right to buy them out at cost instead by July 13. Thursday's stay means last month's ruling is on hold until the appeal of the ruling is decided by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals."

Joaquim Noah just took a giant step towards Phoenix, I think.

 

[nathan]

Got it off ISH, so no link.



Joaquim Noah just took a giant step towards Phoenix, I think.

Or away from Phoenix. This is probably going to prevent them from getting compensation for Al Harrington unless they can find a trade partner with lots of one year contracts.

 

[arthurracoon]

ouch

i feel sorry for hawks fans

but i am at the owners and management

 

[George O'Brien]

Gee, and I thought the Knicks were the worst run team in the NBA.

 

[newfan101]

Anyone know if this negates the Speedy Claxton deal?

 

[BigDavis75]

Here's a thread from Hawksquawk: http://www.hawksquawk.net/forums/sh...2&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#153062
Hawksquawk.net: This ain't good - legal news

I think Stern or the Players Union will step in. Al is losing out on a ton of money if he has to settle for an MLE. Also, as far as Stern stepping in, a situation like this gives the NBA bad press and internal turmoil of a team is never a good thing.

 

[NastyOne]

Is Atlanta even allowed to sign and trade Harrington under this ruling?

Cause he would actually have to sign with Atlanta first.

Does that ruling allow them to resign their own players to multi year deals?

 

[F-Dog]

Or away from Phoenix. This is probably going to prevent them from getting compensation for Al Harrington unless they can find a trade partner with lots of one year contracts.

There's no way the Hawks are worse than last year. The young players aren't getting any worse, and Claxton and Sheldon Williams more than make up for the loss of Harrington.

 

[tobiazz]

Dang, I really feel bad for their fans. Jeff and Mike.

 

[George O'Brien]

I know everyone thinks that Claxton is going to make a huge difference, but I'm skeptical. He's not a great point guard and even Nash would have a problem with a team made up of selfish guys just holding on until free agency.

No one thinks much of Lue, but I'm not sure he's done that badly considering how hard it is to get assists when playing with idiots

Speedy Claxton
New Orleans/Okla. City Hornets
Position: G
Height: 5-11 Weight: 170
College : Hofstra
Player file | Team stats

2005-06 Statistics
PPG 12.3
RPG 2.7
APG 4.8
SPG 1.52
BPG .08
FG% .413
FT% .769
3P% .270
MPG 28.4

Tyronn Lue
Atlanta Hawks
Position: G
Height: 6-0 Weight: 178
College : Nebraska
Player file | Team stats

2005-06 Statistics
PPG 11.0
RPG 1.6
APG 3.1
SPG .51
BPG .06
FG% .459
FT% .855
3P% .457
MPG 24.2

 

[Forrestham]

well it will make next years pick a bit better. Hopefully they will be the 4th worst team

 

[Errntknght]

Anyone know if this negates the Speedy Claxton deal?

It was stated in the article that it shouldn't interfere with the Claxton deal since negotiations had already begun.

 

[newfan101]

Ah yes. Thanks. I was too lazy to read past the bold.

 

[MastersofCombat]

Shelden isnt playing PF so you cant say that! He is taking time away from the center Primoz and if he isnt as good then they are worse at that position.

M.Williams if he doesnt produce as much as Harrington then it is a major loss for them.

Speedy claxton will make them win some more games, but with the losses and a rookie at center I cant see over 32 wins

 

[Joe Mama]

Shelden isnt playing PF so you cant say that! He is taking time away from the center Primoz and if he isnt as good then they are worse at that position.

M.Williams if he doesnt produce as much as Harrington then it is a major loss for them.

Speedy claxton will make them win some more games, but with the losses and a rookie at center I cant see over 32 wins

It's actually Zaza. Primoz is the Center for the Charlotte bobcats.

George, I know their numbers might be somewhat similar, but Claxton is a better point guard than Lue. That is an upgrade. Besides, it is Lue a free agent?

As a selfish Phoenix Suns fan I'm happy about this because it should improve our draft position next season. As a fan of the NBA I think this sucks.

Joe

 

[nowagimp]

I know everyone thinks that Claxton is going to make a huge difference, but I'm skeptical. He's not a great point guard and even Nash would have a problem with a team made up of selfish guys just holding on until free agency.

I think just the prospect of using JJ and josh smith more effectively will make them a better team. IF(and I said IF) JJ just plays '2' and gets the ball from claxton where he needs it, he'll shoot a much higher pct and probably average 23-24ppg next year. Same for the other guys, they will all improve and turnovers should be cut down alot as claxton is pretty good there. In 04-05 as a starting point, claxton had a 3:1 asst/turnover ratio, among the best for PG's. I think claxton can be a pretty good point, and any improvement there makes atlanta better.

 

[just do it]

Dang, I really feel bad for their fans. Jeff and Mike.

I got it....

 

[dreamcastrocks]

It's actually Zaza. Primoz is the Center for the Charlotte bobcats.

George, I know their numbers might be somewhat similar, but Claxton is a better point guard than Lue. That is an upgrade. Besides, it is Lue a free agent?

As a selfish Phoenix Suns fan I'm happy about this because it should improve our draft position next season. As a fan of the NBA I think this sucks.

Joe

As if it wasn't hard enough for Atlanta to get free agents.

4th pick in the draft, here we come!

 

[F-Dog]

Dang, I really feel bad for their fans. Jeff and Mike.

Don't forget Lang.