Johnson deal hits a snag
Hawks' co-owner Belkin hasn't signed off on trade
By SEKOU SMITH and TIM TUCKER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/03/05
The Hawks' pending deal for Joe Johnson hit a snag Tuesday because one of the team owners, Steve Belkin, has not signed off on completing it, two people familiar with the situation said.
The team's other owners and management are in favor of the deal. Belkin plays a pivotal role as the team's NBA Governor. The NBA requires the governor's endorsement on a deal before it can go through.
Calls to Belkin's home and cell phone were not returned Tuesday night.
Indications are that Phoenix wants to complete the deal. Team president Bernie Mullin, reached at home Tuesday night, declined comment.
Reached in Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon, Hawks general manager Billy Knight admitted there was a procedural "snag," but expressed hope the deal will be completed.
"There are some things we have to work out, some things that have to be taken care of," Knight said. "But we'll get it taken care of and move on."
Suns president Bryan Colangelo would not comment on the deal "until our business is complete."
The Hawks and Suns agreed in principle to the sign-and-trade deal Sunday. The Hawks get Johnson for five years and $70 million, in exchange for Boris Diaw and two future lottery-protected draft picks. The Suns would also receive a trade exception of about $10 million.
The 6-foot-8 Johnson, averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season for the Suns, who won a league-best 62 games and advanced to the Western Conference finals.
The Hawks also extended an offer sheet to Milwaukee center/forward Zaza Pachulia, like Johnson a restricted free agent. The Bucks have seven days to either match the four-year $4 million offer to Pachulia or lose him without compensation.
Colangelo told reporters in Phoenix Monday they had every intention of matching any offers to Johnson. But that was before he informed them late last week he wanted to play for the Hawks.
"The intention was to match. But we started hearing stuff about Joe not wanting to come back which we didn't want to believe," Colangelo said. "What it really gets down to is this: how can you go ahead and match a contract that's $70 million for someone who tells you point blank that he'd rather be somewhere else? You can't do that. The risk is too high."
Hawks' co-owner Belkin hasn't signed off on trade
By SEKOU SMITH and TIM TUCKER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/03/05
The Hawks' pending deal for Joe Johnson hit a snag Tuesday because one of the team owners, Steve Belkin, has not signed off on completing it, two people familiar with the situation said.
The team's other owners and management are in favor of the deal. Belkin plays a pivotal role as the team's NBA Governor. The NBA requires the governor's endorsement on a deal before it can go through.
Calls to Belkin's home and cell phone were not returned Tuesday night.
Indications are that Phoenix wants to complete the deal. Team president Bernie Mullin, reached at home Tuesday night, declined comment.
Reached in Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon, Hawks general manager Billy Knight admitted there was a procedural "snag," but expressed hope the deal will be completed.
"There are some things we have to work out, some things that have to be taken care of," Knight said. "But we'll get it taken care of and move on."
Suns president Bryan Colangelo would not comment on the deal "until our business is complete."
The Hawks and Suns agreed in principle to the sign-and-trade deal Sunday. The Hawks get Johnson for five years and $70 million, in exchange for Boris Diaw and two future lottery-protected draft picks. The Suns would also receive a trade exception of about $10 million.
The 6-foot-8 Johnson, averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season for the Suns, who won a league-best 62 games and advanced to the Western Conference finals.
The Hawks also extended an offer sheet to Milwaukee center/forward Zaza Pachulia, like Johnson a restricted free agent. The Bucks have seven days to either match the four-year $4 million offer to Pachulia or lose him without compensation.
Colangelo told reporters in Phoenix Monday they had every intention of matching any offers to Johnson. But that was before he informed them late last week he wanted to play for the Hawks.
"The intention was to match. But we started hearing stuff about Joe not wanting to come back which we didn't want to believe," Colangelo said. "What it really gets down to is this: how can you go ahead and match a contract that's $70 million for someone who tells you point blank that he'd rather be somewhere else? You can't do that. The risk is too high."
