Everyone knows the Knicks have money to burn this summer, but while most of the speculation has centered on whether they'll be able to pry LeBron James from the Cavaliers, some believe the team has already ear-marked some of the dough for a lesser-known star: Joe Johnson, who previously played for Mike D'Antoni in Phoenix. As Frank Isola of the New York Daily News explains, some opposing team executives feel the deal is already in the bag, thanks not only to the D'Antoni/Johnson rapport but also Donnie Walsh's 20-year friendship to agent Arn Tellem. "I think that's a done deal," said one Eastern Conference GM. It looks juicy on paper, but Johnson has been quick to dispute that a decision has been made. In January, Johnson told FanHouse that winning will be a significant factor in his decision. "It matters. A lot comes into play, [but] nobody wants to go to a tough team." Johnson will be 29 years old by the time he puts pen to paper on his next contract, and assuming he's not playing sidekick to James, he may not be keen on investing the last remaining years of his prime on a gamble that he and another second-tier free agent (Chris Bosh? Amar'e Stoudemire?) might make the Knicks relevant -- especially considering he already bolted one winning team for a bag of cash in 2005, and it's taken five long seasons for the Hawks to become a bona fide contender. Link http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/03/12/conspiracy-theory-joe-johnson-to-the-knicks/ please lock if already posted
Already posted in the GARM. You my friend posted in the correct place though. No one in their right mind will sign with the Knicks this off-season. Thus, Amare will be tempted.
Joe Johnson's already backed off. http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/hawks-miss-obama-but-363793.html
