The Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns were awaiting approval from the NBA on a sign-and-trade deal that would send guard Joe Johnson to the Hawks, an agent involved with the deal said Tuesday.

The Hawks would send Phoenix two first-round picks, second-year guard Boris Diaw and a $4.9 million trade exception for the 6-foot-8 Johnson.

Diaw's agent, Doug Neustadt, said his client was excited about the chance to play for a team that had the best record in the Western Conference last season.

"If this goes through, he's going to a playoff team and he is excited about going to a good team," Neustadt said.

Suns president Bryan Colangelo declined comment on the deal "until our business is complete." Hawks general manager Billy Knight could not be reached.