Interesting JJ mention by FOXSports

[lancelet's cousin]

LINK

Michael Redd

has reportedly received two max offers. The Bucks offered him six years and $80-90 million and Cleveland has offered five years at $60-70 million. Like we've said, we'll see how much he likes Wisconsin over his native Ohio. ... As it turns out, few free agents are in a worse situation than Joe Johnson. The Suns are essentially sitting back and waiting for a team to make an offer to Johnson and do the negotiating for them. Phoenix is hoping that JJ goes out and finds his market value and then they will match almost any offer that comes his way.

So far though, the interest in Johnson has been little, considering teams don't want to waste their time and resources on a guy they most likely can't get. ...

Don't expect to see Jarrett Jack in the Reebok Summer League. The former Tech guard is still rehabbing an ankle injury that he hurt in draft workouts. ...

The Jazz are plugging in the pieces and are looking at either Brevin Knight or Dan Dickau to shore up the point guard spot alongside Deron Williams. ...

The Nuggets are interested in Marko Jaric and we love the fit. The Clippers can match any offer for Jaric though, but we'll doubt that they'll try to outbid anyone. ...

If you're in the Long Beach area today through Thursday, this is your shot to play in the same summer league alongside tons of NBA players.

The Southern California Summer Pro League free agent tryouts start today at the Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. For more info go to www.summerproleague.com.

The Raptors, Heat, Lakers, Mavs, and Grizzlies are all participating. ...

The Reebok Summer League in Vegas starts tomorrow and we'll hit you with the roster highlights in tomorrow's Smack. ...

Why do we feel like Andrew Bogut is going to be good for at least one great soundbite a week? Last week Bogut claimed he would have a nicer career than Luc Longley because he shoots and runs the floor better than the former Chicago Bull. Didn't exactly please the big Luc.

Now Bogut is receiving the same treatment from Australian National teammate Chris Anstey. Anstey, who had a cup of tea in the league, challenged Bogut to a 1-on-1 match saying, "I will beat him anywhere, anytime and anyplace."

Shouldn't someone put up a half a million or something and get this game on? Game to 15, we'll take Bogut and we'll spot Anstey 7 points. Any takers? ...

We're out like a Anstey/Longley pay per view.

 

[elindholm]

We're out like a Anstey/Longley pay per view.

LOL, I can't believe anyone is still using the "I'm out" smack. That's been a tired pose for at least a few years already.

 

[Mainstreet]

LOL, I can't believe anyone is still using the "I'm out" smack. That's been a tired pose for at least a few years already.

I still working on getting to "I'm out" smack much less "tired posse."
Perhaps there's no hope for some of us.

 

[playstation]

he's a 2nd tier FA right now. 2nd tier guys still get paid, they just gotta wait for 1st tier guys to make up their minds. once allen and red make the call will come johnson and hughes turn.

 

[Kolo]

from Stein's chat at espn.com:

Gates (DC): Marc, I wish I had knowledge of soccer and your team City to bribe you into answering my question, but since I don't, hopefully it's just worthy of being posted: IS Larry Hughes better than Joe Johnson? His numbers better, although he was on a less-balanced team albeit one that made the 2nd round, and played in the east (although I don't think West-is-best argument holds with guards because the East is so guard-dominated). I heard someone suggest that the Suns should just forget Johnson and go for Hughes. As a Wizards fan this scares me because I think the lure of good money on a championship contender with a high school big-man who actually plays up to his potential might be enough for them to snag him if they ring him up. What do you think?

Marc Stein: (12:36 PM ET ) It's OK. Your question is decent enough. Hughes had a great year, and I fully expect the Wiz to bring him back for 60-ish mil in spite of Larry's durability issues. But as stated above and in today's around-the-league column, teams keep telling me Johnson would be No. 1 on the open market -- ahead of Redd and Ray Ray -- if he were an unrestricted free agent. Teams like Johnson's all-around game that much.

Stein also said he like the Thomas and Bell moves, and says Payton is looking for part of the MLE so we may not get him.

Also this--

• Numerous teams have told the Stein Line that the Suns' Joe Johnson would be a clear-cut No. 1 on the free-agent board – ahead of Redd and Allen – if Johnson were an unrestricted free agent. Even after reaching an oral agreement Friday with Raja Bell, Phoenix has the bulk of the league convinced that it will match any offer for Johnson.

 

[arthurracoon]

from Stein's chat at espn.com:



Stein also said he like the Thomas and Bell moves, and says Payton is looking for part of the MLE so we may not get him.

Also this--

thanks for the quotes!

 

[Arizona's Finest]

ok guys doomsday scenario.........let say JJ is very unhappy that he is not getting offers and that the suns seeing this try to go below market value (or even below what JJ thinks he is worth). JJ and his agent dont sign any offers from any teams and force the suns to sign him to a one year deal......thus making him an UNRESTRICTED free agent on next years market where he will most definatly get the max from some team....is this plausible at all????

 

[Chaplin]

It's too early to start talking doomsday...

 

[elindholm]

It's far from a sure thing that Johnson would get a maximum offer next summer if he took the one-year escape contract. That path is a last resort for players who are unhappy with their current teams and far apart in contract talks. Neither of those problems exists with Johnson, so it's nothing to worry about.

 

[devilalum]

It's far from a sure thing that Johnson would get a maximum offer next summer if he took the one-year escape contract. That path is a last resort for players who are unhappy with their current teams and far apart in contract talks. Neither of those problems exists with Johnson, so it's nothing to worry about.

Hearing this over and over doesn't make me feel better. As a matter of fact it has quite the opposite effect.

 

[frdbtr]

The reason that Bogut has pissed off a bunch of Australian players is because his dad has publicly stated that he recieved a revelation from God that Andrew Bogut will be the best basketball player that the world has ever seen. I live here in SLC folks and heard it straight from the man's mouth on one of our sports casts. Classic case of a father who would be better off to keep his mouth shut. Frankly Bogut will do good to be the best Australian player to play in the NBA (Meaning that he would have to have a better career then Luc Longly who won some rings with the bulls).

 

[Amare32]

Lets just hope this isn't the stromile Swift situation of last year and JJ doesn't sign a 1 year deal so he can become an UFA next year. Suns need to sign him say a 70 million 6 year deal.

 

[elindholm]

Hearing this over and over doesn't make me feel better. As a matter of fact it has quite the opposite effect.

If you don't want to read the same things over and over, you're visiting the wrong message board.

 

[Joe Mama]

I still think it was the right decision at the time given JJ's timid and inconsistent nature prior to this season. Boy does it look like a mistake now though. He's going to cost the Phoenix Suns a whole lot more than he would have if they had signed him for the rumored $50 million last summer.

It sucks that it's going to cost them a lot more. Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Steve Nash, and Shawn Marion might be the core for the next 2-3 seasons. It looks to me like Amare and JJ or their dynamic duo... their long-term plan. At least I think that's the way they see it now.

I have to admit that I go back and forth regarding JJ. He's going to get a maximum or very near to a maximum contract. I just hope he's nearly as consistent as he was last season when he is the second offensive option instead of the third or fourth.

Joe Mama

 

[cly2tw]

Who might extend an offer sheet to Joe anyway? Cavs if they don't get Redd? Bucks if they lose Redd? Redd can't get as much money going to Cavs while Bucks are clearly overpaying with a max contract.

There is a solution. Bucks sign and trade Redd for 1mil below the max but for 6 years to Cavs for Gooden and future #1. Cavs is out of bidding for JJ. To dissuade Bucks from bidding for JJ, trade Marion and Jake for Mason, Gadzuric, and Cav's #1, with their promise not to extend an offer to JJ. Better, they send Jake to the Cavs to save cap to go after Bobby Simmons. Even with Jake, Cavs still have enough cap to sign Ilgauskas and his countryman PG. Now, without anybody left to offer him a contract, JJ will sign 65mil 6y contract with us.

For Bucks, they essentially give up Redd, Mason, Gadzuric for Marion, Simmons, Gooden. This seems to be a lateral move for some, a big upgrade if you consider Marion being 3rd All NBA. Yet, it's better than losing Redd without being able to really sign JoeJ.

For Cavs, they get Redd at a lower starting salary and have even more cap room as a result for the price of a soft PF in Gooden and a future #1. For the core they want, it's worth it.

For Suns, well we hate to lose Marion but without our interference JJ would get a max offer from either Bucks or Cavs. Even if we matched, we would not want to maintain 4 max contracts one year from now. Marion would be trade fodder for sure, with declining trade value. (Everyone agrees that his trade value is at highest right now.) This way, we secure Joe for less, get our desired bigman Gadzuric and an able replacement for Marion in Mason.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[sunsfn]

Who might extend an offer sheet to Joe anyway? Cavs if they don't get Redd? Bucks if they lose Redd? Redd can't get as much money going to Cavs while Bucks are clearly overpaying with a max contract.

There is a solution. Bucks sign and trade Redd for 1mil below the max but for 6 years to Cavs for Gooden and future #1. Cavs is out of bidding for JJ. To dissuade Bucks from bidding for JJ, trade Marion and Jake for Mason, Gadzuric, and Cav's #1, with their promise not to extend an offer to JJ. Better, they send Jake to the Cavs to save cap to go after Bobby Simmons. Even with Jake, Cavs still have enough cap to sign Ilgauskas and his countryman PG. Now, without anybody left to offer him a contract, JJ will sign 65mil 6y contract with us.

For Bucks, they essentially give up Redd, Mason, Gadzuric for Marion, Simmons, Gooden. This seems to be a lateral move for some, a big upgrade if you consider Marion being 3rd All NBA. Yet, it's better than losing Redd without being able to really sign JoeJ.

For Cavs, they get Redd at a lower starting salary and have even more cap room as a result for the price of a soft PF in Gooden and a future #1. For the core they want, it's worth it.

For Suns, well we hate to lose Marion but without our interference JJ would get a max offer from either Bucks or Cavs. Even if we matched, we would not want to maintain 4 max contracts one year from now. Marion would be trade fodder for sure, with declining trade value. (Everyone agrees that his trade value is at highest right now.) This way, we secure Joe for less, get our desired bigman Gadzuric and an able replacement for Marion in Mason.

Just my 2 cents.

I started to read that for the 2nd time and just finally gave up.........

On the other hand, the suns have made JJ an offer and I expect his agent to counter it and then the suns will counter and then his agent will counter and then all will sign and all be very happy for the next 6 years


-

 

[Arizona's Finest]

joe mama .....i have no idea how you cannot yet be completly sold on JJ. I think anyone watching this team realizes his big time value not only to the suns but to any team. the biggest problem against dallas and SA was when Nash got bottled up, there was no one who could create their own shot. The offense rarely looked stagnant all year and then w/o JJ...."poof" less offensive reliability. (of course Nash was a much bigger part of the O this year but no one is refuting Nash's value...)The only two guards at a better-age talent perspective at the two are Kobe and T-Mac (and thats if you dont consider McGrady a 3). I would rather have JJ than AI (too old and needing of the ball), Allen (big time but 30), Redd (to short and no where near the all around skill) ben gorden (too small),Vince Carter (do i really have to defend this...?), Ginobili (god i just hate him.....even if he was on the suns.... freaking flopper) Rip Hamilton (too one dimensional, and his "D" is overratted due to his funneling to the Wallace bros)Larry Hughes (i like his all around game but he cant shoot the three better than JJ and he is too much of a gambler defensivly for me)... Is there anyone im forgetting? Lets put "the truth" in the argument as well (too much of a partier) I mean I love the talent of Kobe but even he is a divissive force. In my mind the Suns would nt trade JJ for any other 2 due to what he does for the team. and remember even if we give him the max its like paying a star two guard AND a back up point. I think this is the year JJ starts to take and make more big shots at the end of games (much like against dallas last year) and we will look back and say boy am i glad that guy didnt get away....that would have been disaster. After Amare there is no one more important for this upcoming season and even more importantly the next 5 seasons. (and yes i realize we have the MVP on our roster) I can understand the rational of not wanting to pay the 50 million last year (sarver had already thrown down bucks and JJ's consistency was an issue) but i cant see how anyone could watch the suns last season and not think he is not one of the top 5 young 2's in the league. Watch him average 22+ this year (while deferring to Amare) and you will see what im talking about....

 

[elindholm]

Thanks for splitting up those big paragraphs.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

ok i thought of one.....dwayne wade......but thats all im giving you

 

[Joe Mama]

joe mama .....i have no idea how you cannot yet be completly sold on JJ. I think anyone watching this team realizes his big time value not only to the suns but to any team. the biggest problem against dallas and SA was when Nash got bottled up, there was no one who could create their own shot. The offense rarely looked stagnant all year and then w/o JJ...."poof" less offensive reliability. (of course Nash was a much bigger part of the O this year but no one is refuting Nash's value...)The only two guards at a better-age talent perspective at the two are Kobe and T-Mac (and thats if you dont consider McGrady a 3). I would rather have JJ than AI (too old and needing of the ball), Allen (big time but 30), Redd (to short and no where near the all around skill) ben gorden (too small),Vince Carter (do i really have to defend this...?), Ginobili (god i just hate him.....even if he was on the suns.... freaking flopper) Rip Hamilton (too one dimensional, and his "D" is overratted due to his funneling to the Wallace bros)Larry Hughes (i like his all around game but he cant shoot the three better than JJ and he is too much of a gambler defensivly for me)... Is there anyone im forgetting? Lets put "the truth" in the argument as well (too much of a partier) I mean I love the talent of Kobe but even he is a divissive force. In my mind the Suns would nt trade JJ for any other 2 due to what he does for the team. and remember even if we give him the max its like paying a star two guard AND a back up point. I think this is the year JJ starts to take and make more big shots at the end of games (much like against dallas last year) and we will look back and say boy am i glad that guy didnt get away....that would have been disaster. After Amare there is no one more important for this upcoming season and even more importantly the next 5 seasons. (and yes i realize we have the MVP on our roster) I can understand the rational of not wanting to pay the 50 million last year (sarver had already thrown down bucks and JJ's consistency was an issue) but i cant see how anyone could watch the suns last season and not think he is not one of the top 5 young 2's in the league. Watch him average 22+ this year (while deferring to Amare) and you will see what im talking about....

do you have me on "ignore", or is that enter key on your keyboard just broken?

I haven't even read your last several posts. It would be so much easier and nicer if you would just split them up into several paragraphs. For me... please.

Joe

 

[jbeecham]

If Cleveland wants JJ that bad then let's just sign-and-trade JJ for Lebron James.......

Obviously I'm being sarcastic, but just imagine Amare & Lebron dominating for the next 10-15 years....

 

[Gaddabout]

The thing I don't understand is JJ doesn't like being "the man" but he wants to be paid like "the man."

I'd be OK with him signing a one-year contract here because it'd mean we'd get "contract year" production out of him, and we'd really see just how much confidence he's acquired post-injury.

 

[sunsfn]

The thing I don't understand is JJ doesn't like being "the man" but he wants to be paid like "the man."

I'd be OK with him signing a one-year contract here because it'd mean we'd get "contract year" production out of him, and we'd really see just how much confidence he's acquired post-injury.

A team with Amare on it is only going to have one "the man" and it is Amare.
When Amare was injured JJ many times was "the man".