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Will the Hawks trade Jason Terry to avoid the luxury tax?

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Swopa, Jul 19, 2002.

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  1. Swopa

    Swopa Member

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    As far as I know, the recently rumored Terry-for-Sprewell deal was typical NY junk journalism.

    But I've come to the (tentative) conclusion that Jason Terry WILL be traded sometime this year -- probably this summer, the more I think about it -- and the ENTIRE reason is financial. The recent announcement of a $50M luxury-tax ceiling for last year, IMO, was the death knell for Terry's career in Atlanta ... especially combined with Theo Ratliff not opting out of his contract.

    The Hawks' payroll for this year (without Ira Newble, who helped them immensely as starting SF last year) looks to be $53.5M, by my calculations. Just with Shareef, Ratliff, Toni Kukoc, Alan Henderson, Nazr Mohammed, Chris Crawford, DerMarr Johnson, and Dan Dickau, the Hawks are committed to roughly $53M in salaries for 2003-04.

    Even if they let Dion Glover walk and don't give Terry the max, you're talking about a $60M+ payroll in '04 and a sizable luxury tax hit. But if they can unload a bad contract (Henderson, Crawford) as the price for letting Terry go, maybe the Hawks can avoid the tax altogether.

    The reason for Atlanta stalling (if they in fact do stall) on Terry's extension is that once he signs it, a "poison pill" provision kicks in that makes him essentially untradeable -- it's like BYC, only worse (his trade value becomes the average salary over the life of the extension). So it's likely that he'll be traded in time for his new team to extend his contract.

    Anyone see a likely trade for the Hawks to make? Or any other talented luxury-tax casualties?
     
    #1 Swopa, Jul 19, 2002
  2. rimbaud

    rimbaud Member
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    Trading Terry would be suicide for the Hawks...and they are very intent on turning it around, as is evidenced by the "playoffs or we pay" announcement (and 1 free playoff game if they make it).

    Kukoc and Henderson are soon to be off the books and very well could be traded to a team desiring a little loosening of the belt down the road. Ratliff, if he cannot go this season, would probably have to retire - clearing the full weight of his contract after a while.

    I really don't see them trading Terry. They are trying to win back the fans and he is a crowd favorite. I could be wrong, though.

    You do present a legitimate problem for them, though...it will be interesting to see how it plays out.
     
    #2 rimbaud, Jul 20, 2002
  3. huby_n1

    huby_n1 Member

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    How are they going to pay if they don't make the playoffs?
     
    #3 huby_n1, Jul 20, 2002
  4. Rocketblast

    Rocketblast Member

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    I think the Hawks need to try to unload Ratliff. He used to be an excellent player, but he recovering from a serious injury. As rimbaud said, if Ratliff cannot go this season, then he's out. I believe Nazr Mohammed and another backup center could fill up the center problem okay. Jason Terry needs to be resigned, and they need to get a playmaker at point guard.
     
    #4 Rocketblast, Jul 20, 2002
  5. SirCharlesFan

    SirCharlesFan Member

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    They made some announcement that if they dont make the playoffs season ticket holders get 200 bucks or some crap like that.

    Its a total BS public relations move. Sure 200 bucks isn't anything to sneeze at, but they only have 4000 season ticket holders from what I heard on TNT one night. And to think that a lot of season ticket holders are rich businessmen, its not like many of their fans will care IMO.

    Its a good thing for the fans in the nosebleed seats and more than most teams will do, but I dont think its a sign of the Hawks wanting to pay millions in the luxury tax.
     
    #5 SirCharlesFan, Jul 20, 2002
  6. pasox2

    pasox2 Member
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    Rimbaud is right on. Toni and Allan to cap-room hungry team, maybe Sacto?
     
    #6 pasox2, Jul 20, 2002
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