By: Tyler Ward
It has been reported today that ex-Cavalier Shaquille O'Neal is seriously favoring going to Atlanta for a 2 year deal, starting at $5.8 million the first year. The source said that, "I think he wants to see how everything shakes out with all the free agents, but he's seriously considering Atlanta's offer. He wants to play two more years, and he wants to be with a contender. He thinks he can help them become a serious one." The source asked not to be named. O'Neal made $20 million with the Cavaliers last season, so he would have to take a substantial pay cut if he really wanted to play in Atlanta.
The salary cap for the 2010-11 season is approximately $56.1 million. Including the Joe Johnson re-signing and rookie Jordan Crawford's $1 million salary, the Hawks would have 10 players under contract for about $63 million next season. This does not include the qualifying offer extended to Josh Childress for $4.8 million. This means that Atlanta is about $7 million above the cap, so Atlanta would have to dump a few players in order to get O'Neal.
Another rumor going around today is that the Hawks are exploring trade options for F Josh Smith. In 2008, the Hawks matched the Memphis Grizzlies to keep Smith with a 5-year/$58 million extension. Smith is scheduled to make $11.6 million this year. If the Cavs re-sign Shaquille O'Neal to a 2-year deal worth $5.8 million each season, they could do a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta in exchange for Smith. This would put the Hawks approximately $1.8 million still over the salary cap. They may have to move another player if they wanted Shaquille O'Neal in a Hawks uniform bad enough.
The Hawks have also considered moving F Marvin Williams, also. Williams is scheduled to make $6.7 million this year. Personally, I think $6.7 million may be too much for Williams. He has failed to live up to the expectations of one of the best players in the draft. If they can dump Williams for a decent veteran player, they may be able to sign O'Neal, depending on the contracts.
Atlanta's re-signing of Joe Johnson is a good reason why O'Neal may want to go to Atlanta. If Joe Johnson didn't return, the Hawks would have lost out on a perennial 20-point scorer and Jamal Crawford would have to be put in the starting role. With Johnson, arguably their best player, they are a top team in the Eastern Conference and could do well in the playoffs. The addition of O'Neal would supply another big man off the bench. Atlanta could possibly bring a competitive playoff team next season if they get O'Neal and a veteran role player.
O'Neal averaged 12 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game last season. He also only played an average of a little over 23 minutes per game. All these were the lowest of his 18 seasons.
