Why the Atlanta Hawks Will Never Win with Joe Johnson

Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson is what I call a trap player. A trap player is a player that is very talented and has regular season numbers so impressive that they, in turn, warrant a large contract. Be that as it may, this player doesn't have the intangibles to lead his team in pressure situations and Johnson is exactly that type of player.

Last year marked the first time in five years that he didn't average over 20 points per game. Johnson has more than the ideal size and skill set to play the position, yet he can't get it done in the postseason. He isn't the type of personality that is capable of leading his team. However, because of his talent level and his contract, you expect him to.

Johnson made over $16 million this year, and the total will grow whenever the NBA returns. Such a big chunk severely handicaps the Hawks from adding any real key pieces that could change their fortunes.

Anyone with that type of influence would have to be either drafted or traded for. The draft is a long shot because Johnson is just good enough to keep the Hawks in the playoffs. So, winning the lottery and grabbing Andre Drummond, Anthony Davis or Shabazz Muhammad in 2012 is unlikely.

The only hope Atlanta has is to try to swing a blockbuster deal to offset Johnson's lack of leadership and place him in his proper role as a great second fiddle. Would Orlando go for a deal that brought them Jeff Teague, Josh Smith and a draft pick for Dwight Howard? Howard is a Georgia native, but it it's not definite that Howard will be moving at all.

If he does, it seems a place like Los Angeles or Chicago would be a more likely landing spot.

Atlanta is a bit stuck, having spent their dollars to retain Johnson. Though he is a talented player, his postseason impact when compared to his salary makes him one of the game's most overpaid players.