New Hawks general manager Danny Ferry wants to create financial flexibility for future moves, and trading guard Joe Johnson would go a long way toward reaching that goal.
A person with knowledge of Atlanta's plans said Ferry and the Nets are involved in trade discussions involving Johnson, a six-time All-Star. The Hawks were not close to making a deal as of Sunday afternoon, but the teams planned to continue talks, according to the person.
The person said the proposed trade of Johnson is one of several being discussed by the Hawks. That's an indication that Ferry, hired last week to replace Rick Sund, is willing to make major changes to the roster by trading one of the team's core players.
The person did not want to be identified because the Hawks are not commenting on trade discussions.
Johnson, 31, has four seasons and about $90 million left on the contract he signed with Atlanta in the summer of 2010. It was the richest contract in the league at the time and Johnson still has more guaranteed money owed to him than any other player.
Johnson acknowledged his 2010-11 season was his worst since coming to Atlanta in 2005. Johnson was much better in 2011-12 but had another disappointing performance in the postseason.
By trading Johnson for players with shorter contracts, the Hawks could create significant amounts of salary cap space in the future. That cap space would give Atlanta the ability to sign major free agents and make it easier to complete trades.
The Nets, who are seeking to pair Johnson with free agent guard Deron Williams for their first season in Brooklyn, have several players with contracts set to expire after next season. ESPN.com reported that a proposed trade would have Brooklyn send Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Williams to Atlanta in exchange for Johnson.
None of those players can match Johnson's talent or production but the benefit for Atlanta would be clearing salary from the books for future moves. Players with expiring contracts also are easier to include in subsequent trades.
The ESPN.com report said the Hawks were insisting the deal include Nets guard MarShan Brooks, the former Tucker High star. Brooks, New Jersey's first-round draft pick in 2011, had a promising rookie season and his contract rights can be controlled through 2015-16.
It's possible the trade discussions will lead to no deals now and the Hawks wait until later in the summer or even next season to make changes. But the teams calling Ferry to gauge his interest in making major deals have found him to be receptive, according to the person familiar with the talks.
The person said the Hawks also have been open to moving forward Josh Smith. Before Ferry was hired, Smith told the Hawks he wants to be traded to a franchise he considers to be more committed to winning a championship.
There's been no indication that Smith has changed his mind after Ferry's hire, which does nothing to placate Smith's desire to also play in what he believes to be a better market. Smith's contract expires after next season.
Ferry recently said he plans to meet with Smith soon.
"I have talked to Josh, and we agreed to get together," he said. "It was a positive conversation."
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