Harrington Deal Dead

[DevinHarriswillstart]

This from realgm, so I guess take it for what its worth

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar...ton_deal_dead/

[spreedom]

That is SUCH a shame from Indiana's perspective.. the best FA left, and they could have gotten him for NOTHING.. their thriftiness just made their team a LOT worse than they would have been with Harrington. For shame!

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I wouldn't blame Indiana necessarily. Remember that the Hawks are in turmoil right now ownership wise. Harrington had to fire one agent, who knows what the hell is goin on with that. This is all Indiana's fault for trading him to begin with. They should have just started him from the beginning if they were all of a sudden going to go small. Why do it now?

[nashtymavsfan13]

Too bad for Indy, I wonder where Al will go now?

[spreedom]

I kind of expect him to sign a rent-a-player deal for a season and try the market again next year.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by spreedom

I kind of expect him to sign a rent-a-player deal for a season and try the market again next year.

I kind of do too. Like a one year deal with the Nuggets or Golden State.

[Tokey41]

Im thinking Indy will go for Bonzi now, as for Harrington... who the hell knows.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Well, there goes another season for Indiana. Damn shame too. I would've loved to have seen a Mavs/Pacers finals.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by Tokey41

Im thinking Indy will go for Bonzi now, as for Harrington... who the hell knows.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised to see them end up with him.

[spreedom]

Harrington is SO much better than Bonzi.. Indiana will have almost completely lost my faith as my favorite team from the East if they pass on such a prime talent.. Harrington is the man, and Bonzi looks overwhelmed everytime he plays against an elite team. Too bad Indiana can't join that company.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by spreedom

Harrington is SO much better than Bonzi.. Indiana will have almost completely lost my faith as my favorite team from the East if they pass on such a prime talent.. Harrington is the man, and Bonzi looks overwhelmed everytime he plays against an elite team. Too bad Indiana can't join that company.

Two things. One, Harrington is pretty overrated and isn't a go to type of guy. Second, I seem to remember Bonzi torching the Spurs in the playoffs this past season.

[kriD]

Harrington appears headed elsewhere

Hawks open up talks after deal with Pacers falls through

By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com

The Indiana Pacers may have lost their chance to reacquire Al Harrington.

The Atlanta Hawks plan to open negotiations with other teams for a possible sign-and-trade deal after not being able to agree with the Pacers, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The Hawks were ready to sign Harrington to a six-year, $57 million deal, then send him and center John Edwards to the Pacers for their $7.5 million trade exception and a future first-round draft pick when Indiana owner Herb Simon nixed the deal because he didn't like the length of Harrington's contract. Simon wanted Harrington, 26, to sign a four-year deal worth about $9 million a season, and he also doesn't want Edwards, the person said.

Simon, team president Larry Bird and CEO Donnie Walsh did not return several phone messages seeking comment Friday.

The Pacers, who are trying to rebound from a disappointing season, have spent more than a month trying to work out a deal with the Hawks. The Pacers were the front-runners for Harrington, who spent his first six seasons here, but they'll have trouble getting him now. Denver and Golden State are believed to be willing to acquire Harrington for about $65 million over six years. The Los Angeles Lakers are also expected to be in the mix.

Harrington has spent the past two seasons in Atlanta, averaging 18.1 points per game.

Without Harrington, the Pacers' status in the Eastern Conference is unsettled. They have acquired eight new players this summer, but they haven't landed a player with the ability to compliment Jermaine O'Neal. They traded Ron Artest for Peja Stojakovic in January, then shipped Stojakovic to New Orleans in a sign-and-trade deal last month.

The Pacers still have trade exceptions of $7.5 million and $2.6 million, the midlevel exception of about $5.2 million and their bi-annual exception of $1.7 million to use this summer.

"We have done a lot of things to this point," Walsh said earlier this week. "We've got another month and a half until training camp, so there is plenty of time to get our roster how we want it."

Walsh also said earlier this week that they're willing to start camp with the current roster, then look to make other moves.

"Some times you have to go into training camp not having everything you want," Walsh said. "We don't normally do things that way, but that's always an option."

Star reporter Bob Kravitz contributed to this report.

[AxdemxO]

Bonzi will prbably be just as effective as Harrington in Indy. They are similar players..but i actually like Bonzi more.

Now though any chance that we can get in on this.....with all the Harris rumors

[MavKikiNYC]

Bonzi Wells may end up doing community service at the Latrell Sprewell Retirement Center this year.

[AxdemxO]

If Bonzi doesnt sign with any1 before the season starts he could end up signing with a good team through the midd of the season and could be a diff between a title or a second round exit. For example if he signed with the Spurs he would increase their chance of winnin it all.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by AxdemxO

Bonzi will prbably be just as effective as Harrington in Indy. They are similar players..but i actually like Bonzi more.

Now though any chance that we can get in on this.....with all the Harris rumors

With all the Harris rumors? No offense, but do you even know what you're talking about?

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by AxdemxO

Bonzi will prbably be just as effective as Harrington in Indy. They are similar players..but i actually like Bonzi more.

Now though any chance that we can get in on this.....with all the Harris rumors

The Harris rumors aren't legit rumors. Harris is not going to be traded. There was the Harris for Gay thing that never got anywhere and it's long gone.

[Tokey41]

WHOA! Timeout... no chance in hell I give up Harris for either one of those guys. Harrington is definitely overated (would fit in well with us, but overated none the less whereas I see a lot of potential in Harris), and we have no room for Bonzi or that ludacris money he wants. Indy has room for that ludacris money I believe... so it makes sense for them to go for the next biggest name on the market who can help them out.

[EricaLubarsky]

Hawks trade options

• 1. Do a sign-and-trade with the Lakers for Chris Mihm, Aaron McKie, Brian Cook and a future draft pick.

Mihm is making $4.2 million this season, McKie $2.5 million and Cook just $1.5 million. All three are in contract years, meaning the Hawks would have the option of re-signing them if they fit in well with their young talent or letting them move on at season's end. The draft pick is the cherry on top.

• 2. Do a sign-and-trade with the Nuggets for Joe Smith, a future first-round pick and $3 million in cash.

Smith is another solid veteran power forward in a contract year. He'll make $6.8 million this season. The $3 million essentially cuts his salary in half, and the Hawks still get the draft pick they covet.

• 3. Sign-and-trade Harrington and send him to Golden State for Mickael Pietrus, Zarko Cabarkapa, Andris Bierdins and a future draft pick.

Convincing a team to give up three young and relatively inexpensive talents, all three in contract years, and a draft pick would be the steal of the century for the Hawks. But if the Warriors are as eager to get their hands on Harrington as has been rumored, maybe it's more than just a pipe dream. Pietrus ($2.5 million) Cabarkapa ($2.1) and Bierdins ($1.9) would fortify the Hawks' roster at three different positions (small forward, power forward and center) without busting the budget. The draft pick is gravy.

none of those guys is Harris or Harris-level

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

none of those guys is Harris or Harris-level

Not really sure of your point EL?

[EricaLubarsky]

not really sure myself. i guess I was just saying that if those are the offers then Harris would be overboard, and also that if we were to offer Harris that Harrington would probably be ours. Anyway...

[nashtymavsfan13]

We aren't going to go after Harrington, we have no need for him. I think Al will go to GS, thats a pretty nice offer.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Golden State won't be any better. Harrington's forte is not defense, pretty much the only thing GS needs. Harrington could either be a star or the next Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Its a pretty risky chance to spend 60 mil on him.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Yeah, but it's a good offer from the Hawks point of view. That's just my guess of where he WILL go, not where I think he SHOULD go.

[rakesh.s]

If I were the Hawks, I'd make that trade with Golden State, just to get two more big men. Biedrins has shown flashes -- all he needs is consistent playing time.

I would then try to package salim stoudamire and josh childress for picks, cap relief or a point guard. The backcourt would be way too crowded with pietrus coming into the mix.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by rakesh.s

If I were the Hawks, I'd make that trade with Golden State, just to get two more big men. Biedrins has shown flashes -- all he needs is consistent playing time.

I would then try to package salim stoudamire and josh childress for picks, cap relief or a point guard. The backcourt would be way too crowded with pietrus coming into the mix.

Yeah, so would I. Biedrins and Pietrus are good young players.

[EricaLubarsky]

well pietrus is

[nashtymavsfan13]

Biedrins was only like 18 last year, or something like that. He's like a PPod, except he's much further in his development and has more skills. He played very well in parts of last year. I expect him to be a solid center a few years down the road.

[samoan-maverickII]

Now theirs a 4 team trade that's interesting.

Harrington goes to the Warriors
Dunleavy goes to the Clippers
Joe Smith goes to the Hawks
Maggette goes to the Nuggets.

realgm....

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by samoan-maverickII

Now theirs a 4 team trade that's interesting.

Harrington goes to the Warriors
Dunleavy goes to the Clippers
Joe Smith goes to the Hawks
Maggette goes to the Nuggets.

realgm....

Wow, the Nuggets and Warriors make out like thiefs in that trade! Seems like the Clippers are getting really ripped off.

[chumdawg]

Boy, that makes absolutely ZERO sense for the Clippers.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Trading Maggete and getting back Dunleavy?!

[rakesh.s]

Originally Posted by nashtymavsfan13

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Trading Maggete and getting back Dunleavy?!

Daddy's the coach of the team, and daddy said that Maggette is too stupid to remember his plays, so.....it makes sense, from a Dunleavy family standpoint.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Oh yeah, forgot about that. But still, it's a braindead trade for the Clips.

[spreedom]

Dunleavy is a HACK.. he hasn't gotten ANY better since coming into the league, despite the fact that he gets more plays run for him than anyone on the team besides J-Rich.

I wouldn't trade a second round pick for Dunleavy.. I wouldn't have traded Pavel for him.. he hasn't shown anything that says he's a starter in this league.

[nashtymavsfan13]

I would trade PPod and/or a 2nd round pick for him, but he is nothing special and definetly hasn't lived up to what he is being paid.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Agent: Deal 'very close' for Harrington's return to Pacers

By CLIFF BRUNT, Associated Press Writer
August 21, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- It looks like Al Harrington will return to the Indiana Pacers after all.

After weeks of speculation about the free agent's status and reports in the past week that a deal between the Atlanta Hawks and the Pacers had fallen through, Harrington's new agent expects him to be in Indianapolis soon.

"It's very close to getting done with Indiana," Greg Lawrence, a spokesman for Harrington agent Arn Tellem, said Monday night.

Lawrence would not say when Harrington would sign or if it would be a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta.

Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh wouldn't say that a deal was imminent, but said talks never ceased.

"We are still in negotiations with Al Harrington and the Atlanta Hawks," Walsh said.

Harrington is considered among the top free agents on the market. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 18.6 points and 6.9 rebounds a game for the Hawks last season.

He played his first six NBA seasons for the Pacers before he was traded to the Hawks for Stephen Jackson in July 2004.

Harrington dumped agent Andy Miller this month and hired Tellem, who also represents Houston's Tracy McGrady and Memphis' Pau Gasol.

The Pacers gave themselves a chance to get Harrington when they gained a trade exception worth $7.5 million in the sign-and-trade deal that sent Peja Stojakovic to the New Orleans Hornets. They are trying to recover from a 41-41 season that ended with a first-round playoff exit.

[samoan-maverickII]

^
You know what how about Harrington jus make up his damn mind.

[nashtymavsfan13]

Originally Posted by samoan-maverickII

^
You know what how about Harrington jus make up his damn mind.

Lol, yeah. I think he's just wants the publicity, or maybe the Pacers are trying to play hardball, whatever it is just get the darn deal done.

[kriD]

Pacers, Hawks revive Harrington trade

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

The Indiana Pacers, after a seemingly interminable wait, appear to be closing in on a deal that formally secures the return of swingman Al Harrington.

Arn Tellem, Harrington's new agent, told ESPN.com on Monday night that the Pacers are "very close" to finalizing a sign-and-trade arrangement with the Atlanta Hawks that's been weeks in the making.

Harrington, according to NBA front-office sources, is expected to sign a four-year contract worth $35.3 million with the Hawks, who will then deal him to Indiana. It's believed that the Pacers will complete the swap without making a cash payment to the Hawks, who originally sought the maximum $3 million that teams can add to trades.

Atlanta would receive a future first-round pick in exchange for Harrington. It was not immediately known if Indiana will also acquire third-year center John Edwards, whose departure would remove an extra $1.1 million from the Hawks' payroll.

The most Harrington could have received from the Pacers is a six-year contract worth $57 million. But the fourth season of Harrington's new contract, sources say, will be at his option, meaning that the 26-year-old will have the opportunity to return to the free-agent market in the summer of 2009 if he chooses.

On the Pacers' team Web site, club CEO Donnie Walsh was quoted Monday as saying that the framework for the trade is in place, with the final details of Harrington's contract still "in negotiation."

"I think we're coming down to it," Walsh said, "and we'll either get it or we won't."

Harrington's return to the team that drafted him 25th overall in 1998 was considered inevitable in front offices leaguewide for much of July, prompting interested teams to gradually drop out of the bidding. As negotiations dragged on, Harrington severed ties with agent Andy Miller and hired the high-powered Tellem to re-start the process. Yet reports over the weekend that the Pacers had squandered their chance to re-acquire Harrington proved unfounded because of Indiana's $7.5 million trade exception.

That exception -- created in July when Indiana convinced the New Orleans Hornets to participate in a sign-and-trade for Peja Stojakovic instead of simply signing Stojakovic away outright -- has established the Pacers as the only Harrington suitor that could complete a sign-and-trade without forcing Atlanta to take back significant salary. Other interested teams include Golden State, Denver, New York and the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA front-office sources say that Atlanta's teetering ownership group, in the midst of a legal battle with former partner Steve Belkin to keep control of the franchise, has insisted from the start on taking back draft picks and/or cash as opposed to a player or two from Indiana's roster (such as center Jeff Foster) or a more expensive veteran. The Warriors, for example, offered power forward Troy Murphy to the Hawks last month as part of a sign-and-trade that would have netted Harrington something closer to the six-year, $66 million contract he was originally seeking. But Murphy, who averaged a double-double in his past three full seasons, has nearly $51 million left on his contract over the next five years.

The Hawks eventually backed off their cash demands and told the Pacers they'd make the trade so long as Indiana sent them a first-round pick and agreed to absorb Edwards' salary. Atlanta's reluctance to deal with the other teams chasing Harrington maintained Indiana's position as the favorite to land the versatile forward, with the Pacers now hoping that the increasingly fast pace in today's NBA will permit Harrington -- at 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds -- to play plenty of power forward in an athletic frontcourt setup alongside Jermaine O'Neal and Danny Granger.

Acquiring Harrington is doubly crucial because he'd ease the burden on Granger when it comes to replacing Ron Artest. The Pacers' $7.5 million trade exception thus looms as one of the most valuable assets of the NBA offseason.

When Stojakovic gave the Hornets a verbal commitment to sign with them mere hours into free agency on July 1, Indiana faced the very real threat of having nothing to show for January's trade of Artest to Sacramento. But a payment to the Hornets believed to be in the $250,000 range -- coupled with the Hornets' knowledge that they'd likely be keeping Harrington away from a fellow West playoff hopeful like Golden State or the Lakers -- turned the Stojakovic deal from an outright free-agent signing into a sign-and-trade, thereby creating the trade exception that set up Harrington's return.

It's believed that the Pacers did also explore the idea of making a sign-and-trade run at Indiana native Bonzi Wells earlier this summer, but Harrington was always their first choice. Wells, looking for a new team after Sacramento signed John Salmons in late July, would supplant Harrington as the best player left on the NBA's open market once Harrington-to-Indiana is consummated.

"Obviously, Indiana, I'm more comfortable there because I've been there, I've been in the East," Harrington told ESPN.com during last month's Vegas Summer League, making it clear then that he expected to wind up with either the Pacers or the Warriors.

"Going into free agency, obviously you think, 'I'm going to be at the bottom of the screen [on ESPN's Bottom Line ticker] like Ben Wallace and the rest of the guys.' But everyone's telling me to be patient, so that's what I'm trying to do."