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On a day where all the buzz surroundedLeBron James, two players who were plan b for a lot of teams resigned to their respected teams. Joe Johnson is reported to be likely staying with the Atlanta Hawks after receiving a 6 year 116 million dollar contract and Rudy Gay has verbally agreed to remain with the Grizzles for 80+ million over the next 4 years. To both these players I’d like to say I guess money talks.

I personally don’t think these two were wise on their decisions. Both player have tremendous talent and could have gone to a team with a good shot at the title but decided to take the cash and stay.

Rudy Gay was highly looked at by the New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. Joe Johnson was favored by the Chicago Bulls, Nets, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and other teams but decided to return to his teammates in Atlanta for another 6 years.

Out of the two I figured at least Gay would leave Memphis and head to a team with a chance but he decided to remain with a team that other then O.J. Mayo has no real talent that can take them to the next level. Joe Johnson returns to a Hawks team that have build strong chemistry next year and could be a free agent away from being better this upcoming season and move further into the playoffs.

In other FA news, Drew Gooden reached agreement with the Miluwakee Bucks and Darko Milicic signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a reported $20 million dollar deal and now there are talks that Al Jefferson is on his way out of Minny and could be headed to the New York Knicks or Memphis Grizzlies.

John Salmons is reported to be on his way back to the Bucks

Richard Jefferson who opted out of his contract with the San Antonio Spurs says he wants to rejoin the Nets or head over to the Knicks. I personally would welcome him back to New Jersey. I was extremely upset about the team trading him away couple years back.

So for now most teams plan b are off the table but a slew of other players still remain. Quite frankly though no one really cares about any player besides LeBron James.

-Timmy Dimas

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Bucks, Free Agents, Joe Johnson, John Salmons, Lebron James, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee, NBA, New Jersey Nets, Richard Jefferson, Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs