The Atlanta Hawks have a new point guard in Joe Johnson, and are losing Steve Belkin as co-owner — just as the team's general manager and other owners wanted.
"This is a great day," said co-owner Michael Gearon Jr., who will succeed Belkin as the team's NBA Governor.
There was a party atmosphere at Friday's news conference on the Philips Arena floor, as Atlanta Spirit LLC employees applauded the team's new player and the winners of a power struggle for control of the team.
Johnson, who will earn about $20 million next season in the first year of a five-year deal worth about $70 million, become's the team's highest-paid player.
The Hawks sent guard Boris Diaw, two conditional first-round picks and a $4.9 million trade exception to the Suns for Johnson.
The deal was held up when Belkin wouldn't give his approval, promoting the other owners in the nine-man Atlanta Spirit LLC group to remove him as the team's governor.
Belkin went to court in Massachusetts to stop them. Finally, NBA commissioner David Stern ruled the Atlanta- and Washington-based owners, who control 70 percent of Atlanta Spirit, could remove Belkin.
The Hawks and the NBA announced Friday that Belkin has agreed to sell his 30 percent share of the team to the other owners for an undisclosed sum. That deal is expected to become final by the end of the year.
Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Suns last season.
Atlanta Spirit paid $250 million last year to buy the Hawks, Thrashers and operating rights to Philips Arena from Time Warner.
MAVS ADD CHRISTIE: Swingman Doug Christie signed with Dallas, as the Mavericks try to replace the recently released Michael Finley.
"We feel adding Doug Christie to our team is giving us the best chance to win a championship," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said.
That's a lot of pressure for the 35-year-old, 6-foot-6 Christie, who struggled with injuries and averaged just 6.6 points per game last year with Sacramento and Orlando.
"I just kind of look at Orlando as a blip," Christie said. He said he is healthy again and picked Dallas over other suitors because he believes he can help the team win right away.
The Mavericks also announced that they signed 23-year-old DeSagana Diop to help back up the oft-maligned Erick Dampier at center. Terms were not disclosed. Diop could replace Shawn Bradley, who is expected to retire.
BOBCATS RE-SIGN KNIGHT: Brevin Knight has no problem being a mentor with the Charlotte Bobcats this season. He will not, however, simply step aside to let rookie point guard Raymond Felton slide into his starting spot.
Knight, who signed a multiyear contract extension with the Bobcats, plans to fight for his job.
"I didn't come here just to teach somebody else how to play," Knight said.
TURIAF RECUPERATING: Los Angeles Lakers second-round draft pick Ronny Turiaf said Friday in Spokane he's well on his way to recovery from heart surgery and is hopeful he'll one day wear the purple and gold.
Turiaf, who is recuperating here after open-heart surgery to repair an enlarged aortic root on July 26, said he will be cheering for his potential teammates this season as he works his way back into playing shape.
A decision on whether he can eventually play in the NBA is "way down the road" and up to his physicians and team management, Turiaf said, vowing to return stronger and better than before.
"I'm going to play basketball again," he said. "My heart is fixed . . . there is no question."
Turiaf, 22, was the 37th pick in this year's NBA draft.
The 6-foot-9 power forward averaged 15.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocked shots as a senior at Gonzaga last season.