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08:07 AM ET 07.03 | Winning the Southeast Division, at least on paper, just got a little easier for the Heat. Might as well raise the banner at the All-Star break. Danny Ferry, Atlanta's new GM -- and LeBron James' old one -- saw a team stuck in the middle, and unloaded the enormous contract of Joe Johnson on Brooklyn, while also clearing future flexibility with the trade of first-round flop (for his draft position) Marvin Williams. He got Devin Harris and a bunch of flotsam back, but that's not the point. The point is that Ferry is trying to attract a couple of premium free agents in the summer of 2013, perhaps Dwight Howard (who is from Atlanta) and Chris Paul. It's risky, since Howard could be moved before that, and then fall in love with his new team.

Chris Paul, Icon Sports

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July 3, 2012 09:11 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:46 AM ET 07.03 by jgb

Well word has it that dwight will be forming a big 3 in brooklyn with dwill and jjTjere is no bigger ferry hater than me, but getting rid of marvin and jjs contract was a VERY good move, regardless of who they may/may not get going forward

Agreed if championships are the ultimate goal he knew full well Atlanta was never going to compete for one as is and would continue to be stuck as a 4-5 seed team. I like the moves he's made thus far and has very good players in Smith/Horford to pull off a big move or to rebuild around.

snyder810

Sycamore , OH

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July 3, 2012 09:24 AM ET

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Throwing Away The Trash, Bro?

I Love LA

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July 3, 2012 09:53 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:46 AM ET 07.03 by jgb

Well word has it that dwight will be forming a big 3 in brooklyn with dwill and jjTjere is no bigger ferry hater than me, but getting rid of marvin and jjs contract was a VERY good move, regardless of who they may/may not get going forward

I agree getting that JJ off the books was an excellent move. Orlando needs to get rid of the Turk contract and just take the offer from the Nets.

Mrs. Str8lykdat

Follow My Logic, FL

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July 3, 2012 09:57 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:46 AM ET 07.03 by jgb

Well word has it that dwight will be forming a big 3 in brooklyn with dwill and jjTjere is no bigger ferry hater than me, but getting rid of marvin and jjs contract was a VERY good move, regardless of who they may/may not get going forward

Yeah even as a loyal Duke fan I also hated his GM skills (or lack thereof) but these moves so far in ATL must be applauded. He's got some stones to gut the roster this way, especially after consecutive years of playoff appearances. SOMEONE finally realized that roster was going to be 2nd tier at best with zero room for growth...JJ was grossly overpaid and Marvin was unspectacular in most games

DR_Universal

Charlotte , NC

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July 3, 2012 11:31 AM ET

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DH and Paul? That's a big jump next year. Why would Paul leave LA? Seems like the Clippers are on the upswing.

Agree that Ferry has done a great job so far in FA. One article grading teams in FA this season has already given him/the hawks an "A". If they don't land DH, it will be interesting to see what they do.

Red Mamba

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July 3, 2012 01:14 PM ET

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Howard and Paul will NOT be coming to the Hawks. Think of a different angle. Expect CP3 to stay where he is....and Howard to Brooklyn or NYY

Happy Shoe

St. Catharines, ON

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July 3, 2012 02:14 PM ET

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I have absolutely no zero confidence in Ferry's ability to get anything done. While he was in Cleveland, he couldn't find boobs in a strip joint. Now suddenly he's positioning himself for a blockbuster deal--give me a break.Joe Johnson was going anyway, Ferry didn't make this happen.

Hllywd: Olskool

Columbus , OH

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July 3, 2012 03:04 PM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 12:55 PM ET 07.03 by jgb

what marvin are you speaking of that was even the slightest bit spectacular? Marvin gaye? cause marvin williams was never spectacular- LOL

LMAO......bullseye!!!

yungpyro

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July 3, 2012 06:10 PM ET

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Stern will pobably veto it.....can you imagine CP3 with the Lakers instead of being with the Clippers last year?

CREEPY FACE !!

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July 3, 2012 06:17 PM ET

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It's About D' Time! ...Keep shaking up Atlanta Danny.

MV_PPL

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July 3, 2012 06:38 PM ET

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QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 06:17 PM ET 07.03 by MV_PPL

It's About D' Time! ...Keep shaking up Atlanta Danny.

Now he has to find a real coach!

CREEPY FACE !!

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July 4, 2012 07:55 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:31 AM ET 07.03 by Red Mamba

Why would Paul leave LA?

Donald Sterling

Azeron

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July 4, 2012 07:57 AM ET

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QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 06:10 PM ET 07.03 by CREEPY FACE !!

Stern will pobably veto it.....can you imagine CP3 with the Lakers instead of being with the Clippers last year?

Commissioner can't veto trades. Stern vetoed the Laker deal in his capacity as team owner WHICH Phil Jackson pointed out a year earlier was a conflict of interest.