Latest free agency news, rumors Sunday, July 4

AGENTS: JOHNSON TAKES HAWKS' OFFER: Joe Johnson has agreed to the Hawks' six-year, nearly-$120 million offer on Sunday, his agent Arn Tellem confirmed in a blog post at Huffington Post. Once the deal is officially signed, on July 8, the Hawks will have about $63 million in on the books for 10 players next season. Johnson was hesitant on taking the Hawks up on the offer when it was presented last week, and there was speculation he was interested in playing for a big market team, like the Bulls or Knicks. But according to Tellem:

"When the free-agency period kicked in, Joe made a point of talking to the Hawks first. Their owners and new coach, Larry Drew, impressed Joe with their commitment to making the team championship-caliber. In turn, Joe felt equally committed to the Hawks, his teammates and the city of Atlanta.

"With all his success, Joe remains as grounded as he was a decade ago at our first meeting in Little Rock. His priorities are his family, his friends and his game. Joe could have forced a sign-and-trade deal for five years with another team, but he decided that winning in Atlanta would be more meaningful. When the Hawks offered the maximum -- six years -- he happily reciprocated.

"For his next act, Joe plans to actively recruit other top free agents to Atlanta, a place not unlike his hometown, where he feels comfortable and appreciated." [Huffington Post]

DIRK STAYING IN DALLAS: Dirk Nowtizki has agreed to stay in Dallas, his adviser Holger Geschwindner confirmed to The AP late Saturday night. The deal was first reported by ESPN and is worth nearly $80 million over four years -- $16 million less than the maximum Nowitzki was eligible to receive and probably would have received if he had stayed on the market. [ESPN]

AMAR'E ON RECRUITING TRAIL: Amar'e Stoudemire is close to finalizing a five-year deal with the Knicks, and the All-Star forward told the Daily News that he's close to convincing another big name to join him in New York.

"I've talked to Carmelo Anthony that he needs to come out here," said Stoudemire during his visit to the Big Apple on Saturday. "I've talked to Tony Parker. Both guys are ready to join me if I decide to come here. So we will see if we can work it out."

Stoudemire took in a Broadway play Saturday evening and met with coach Mike D'Antoni for brunch on Sunday before heading to the Bronx for the Yankees-Blue Jays game. Talks reportedly went well -- he and D'Antoni weren't on the greatest terms in Phoenix -- and a deal would be in place by Monday. [NY Daily News]

CELTICS MAKING MOVES?: According to the Boston Herald, the Celtics are intrested in trading for Portland's Rudy Fernandez and Phoenix's Leandro Barbarso. The C's would likely use Rasheed Wallace's contract to get Barbosa, who is set to earn $7.1 million next season and has a player option worth $7.6 million for 2011-12. Wallace is due $6.3 million, meaning the arrangement would work under the NBA's mid-level exception rules. Fernandez is set to earn $1.2 million in 2010-11 with a player option for $2.2 million the following season. But while the Celtics have added new names to their radar, center Brad Miller still ranks high on their list and the team continues to pursue the big man.

Boston is still trying to retain sharpshooter Ray Allen, but unlike Paul Pierce, who agreed to a deal at the start of free agency, Allen seems more inclined to explore his options on the market. [Boston Herald]