Johnson agrees to re-sign with Hawks

Joe Johnson will be back with the Hawks. The challenge for the team now is to find Johnson some help so they can reach their goal of becoming true Eastern Conference contenders.

Arn Tellem, Johnson's agent, said his client would be part of that effort. Tellem confirmed in a blog posting at the Huffington Post Web site Sunday that Johnson accepted Atlanta's offer of a six-year contract expected to be worth about $119 million.

And now that Johnson has his deal, Tellem indicated the All-Star guard would try to woo other players to join him in Atlanta.

“For his next act, Joe plans to actively recruit other top free agents to Atlanta, a place not unlike his hometown [Little Rock], where he feels comfortable and appreciated,” Tellem wrote. “LeBron [James], you've already met with the front offices of six teams. How about considering the Hawks?”

James is the most coveted free agent in the league. With no salary cap space and about $63 million committed to salaries for 10 players next season, Atlanta's targets in free agency will be much more modest: players willing to accept the league average salary or less.

The Hawks' payroll is near the projected luxury-tax threshold. The team's owners are said to be willing to pay the dollar-for-dollar tax for players they believe will help improve the team after the Hawks were dominated in the Eastern Conference semifinals the past seasons.

The Hawks also will explore trades. When last season ended, Hawks general manager Rick Sund told players the team would consider any deals he thought would improve the team.

Johnson was the top offseason priority for the Hawks, who wanted him to remain the centerpiece of the franchise. Johnson has been named to four All-Star teams in five seasons with Atlanta and was one of the top players available in free agency.

The Hawks offered Johnson the maximum contract soon after free agency opened at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. The two sides met again later that day and finalized the agreement over the last couple days as Johnson rejected overtures from the Knicks, Bulls, Heat and Mavericks.

Tellem said in the blog post that Johnson was intrigued by the Knicks and Bulls but favored the Hawks once negotiations opened.

“When the free-agency period kicked in, Joe made a point of talking to the Hawks first,” Tellem wrote. “Their owners and new coach, Larry Drew, impressed Joe with their commitment to making the team championship-caliber. In turn, Joe felt equally committed to the Hawks, his teammates and the city of Atlanta.”

Under rules meant to entice star free agents to re-sign, those teams could offer Johnson a maximum contract about $27 million less than Atlanta's deal.