Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith still wants to be traded
Miami–Even as Josh Smith is having a strong season for the Hawks he has let the team know he wants to be traded as the March 15 deadline approaches, according to people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.
And the reasons for Smith’s dissatisfaction with the team now have to make the Hawks wonder if they will be able to sign him to a contract extension next season.
By the end of last season Smith wanted out of Atlanta because he believed he was singled out for unfair criticism by coaches and media. Those concerns have died down for the most part this season but now Smith believes he needs a fresh start with a franchise where he can better reach his potential on and off the court, according to one of the people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.
The person said one of Smith’s complaints is that he believes the Hawks didn’t do enough to promote him for selection to the All-Star team, which he thinks contributed to lesser players being voted to the team by Eastern Conference coaches. Smith, an Atlanta native who has played his entire eight-year career with the Hawks, also would like to play for a franchise he believes is more committed to winning a championship.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Hawks have taken calls from teams interested in acquiring Smith—Golden State is among the teams who have inquired. But the Hawks so far have given no indication that they intend to part with Smith, who likely would command a high price in a trade.
Smith, 26, is under contract through next season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent. If the Hawks don’t trade Smith and can’t alleviate his concerns by then, they face the real possibility of him signing with another team in the summer of 2013 because there figures to be a strong market for him.
I asked Smith about all of this last night before the Hawks played the Heat but he declined to comment. This is the third season in a row he’s been at the center of trade rumors.
“I really don’t pay any attention to it,” he said. “I just go out there and play the way I play and not worry about anything else. I know this is a business. Whatever happens, happens in the long run. But I know as long as I’m with the Hawks, I have to put my best foot forward.”
This season Smith is averaging 17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals. No other player in the league can match those numbers across all categories. It’s that all-around productivity that makes the Hawks reluctant to part with Smith.
Smith’s value as a defender at the basket becomes obvious when Hawks opponents drive to rim when Smith goes to the bench.
“People look at the offensive end but defensively he changes the game,” Hawks coach Larry Drew said recently. “He is one of the few players I think that can play a defensive game and impact the game even if his offense is not on that night.”
The main knock on Smith’s game is his shooting.
After making 39 percent of his long two-point shots last season, a mark that was right at the league average, Smith is making just 31 percent of those attempts this season while attempting nearly two more per game. However, he’s attempting more shots per game at the basket and fewer 3-pointers than last season and his free-throw rate is up slightly.
Smith’s free-throw percentage has plummeted to a career-low 57.7 percent this season after he made a career-high 72.5 percent in 2010-11. His free-throw percentage has improved over the last 20 games or so.
Smith said he’s improved his free-throw shooting by taking his time at the line and expects his jump shots to start falling more often as the season goes on.
“It’s a long season but it came to you real quick,” he said. “They are throwing games at us left and right. If you look around the league most people’s percentages are down more so than usual.”
Smith’s emotional demeanor on the court has drawn fire from critics and has caused friction with teammates at times. But Jerry Stackhouse , an Atlanta resident who had developed a relationship with Smith before joining the Hawks this season, said Smith has grown in that area and Smith’s ability makes it difficult for the Hawks to trade him.
“His talent, that’s what you can’t give up on with Josh,” Stackhouse said. “It’s easy to say, ‘All right, let’s just move him.’ And then he goes and clicks at the next stop and you’ve got to look at that every night and you had it in house. That’s kind of the dilemma with Josh. You know you are going to get some uneasy moments from time to time but, for the most part, he’s really about winning. He wants to win. He’s competitive. I relate to that.
“How he handles his emotions and frustrations, sometimes he rubs people the wrong way and bruises them. But I think he’s happy-go-lucky. He thinks, ‘It was just heat of the moment’ and we can move on from it but he can bruise people. I think he’s learning that. He is learning to control his emotions a little better and it’s good for our team. The better Josh Smith is, the better the Atlanta Hawks are.”
Smith said his emotion fuels his performance but he’s made an effort to tone it down in the past couple seasons. He said he’s especially done so this year as injuries to Al Horford and Joe Johnson have increased the team’s reliance on him.
“I’m definitely an emotional player but I’m kind of bottling it up, understanding the importance of what my team needs and just trying to stay positive and have constructive criticism when possible,” he said. “Now I’m at the point of my career where I can voice my opinion a little bit more and it will be recognized more than back in the day [when] it got drowned out more so than anything else.
“[Teammates] know that I have good intentions, no matter how it’s delivered. I am saying stuff because I want to win games. It’s not nothing personal or to try to hurt or bash any one of my teammates or anyone else.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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754 comments Add your comment
Sautee
March 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
“Smith, an Atlanta native who has played his entire eight-year career with the Hawks, also would like to play for a franchise he believes is more committed to winning a championship.”
So what makes anybody think that he would even TRY to get D12 to come here, if that’s how he views the ASKG? And of course Josh is absolutely right, they are NOT committed. So if that’s the case, would you try and get a friend of yours to come work where you do, if you thought there was lousy management? Particularly if your friend had better options?
Andrew Lipham
March 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
Josh Smith for Demarcus Cousins? Me likey likey.
BIG DOG
March 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
IM ON THE COUSIN FOR SMOOTH CAMPAIGN.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Disgusted
March 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
I put all the blame of this BS on Joe Johnson himself he’s overrated in every sense of the word. He got the Max contract that should have went to Josh especially after this season Josh deserves all of Joe’s money.
Ray–They never should have given Joe the money they gave him (twice they did it), but there is no way you trade Joe at all, we are stuck with him till the contract runs out.
My fear is that they do not get a good return for Josh. Stange as it seems, Gasol might not be the worst return they could get for Josh though the Hawks lose out on age in that proposal.
Some one mentioned Bosh, but Miami is not giving him up.
The Spirit is not great but on the basketball side they have shown the willingness to spend money. And while its not a championship run team, they are not what the Thrashers were.
It is hard to trust a word that ownership says. Their history speaks for itself.
Disgusted
March 8th, 2012
7:03 pm
“Josh Smith for Demarcus Cousins? Me likey likey.”
No way, just stay away from Demarcus Cousins. I would take an end of the bench player before I want that clown ruining my team. Don’t care wbout his athleticisim, do not want Cousins.
Sautee
March 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
“You’re really going to compare Pau to a few Hall of Famers? LOL, give me a more realistic example and maybe I’ll change my mind”
The comparison is only to show that your supposition that big men have shorter careers than usual is belied by the fact that John Stockton is the ONLY non-big man in the top 5 of career games played.
Ray
March 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
I wish I was in ATL I’d Josh how much I feel we need him to stay, but alas I’m over in little Athens lol. UGA town my bad.
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
This is one of the most depressing stories I have read on a Hawks blog. Yes, I’ve been harsh on Josh. But he’s finally gotten it with his emotions – really with everything but his J, and still the occasional lapse of effort. And I’ve become one of his biggest fans and defenders.
So he gets it, and becomes one of the best in the League, and he still wants to go. Bummer
And JJ is fading fast it looks like, or at least fading, and Al is hurt. This season has so much promise, now this.
OK, Josh – just stay man – we need you. Reconsider – It’s your home dude – Just Stay!
cp
March 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
I knew tyger would find a way to take a shot at Teague. Same guy who said Donald Sloan of all people makes Teague expendable. Same guy who said Hinrich is improving. Is Sloan even in the league? And the Hawks look better with Hinrich on the bench. Dude just stop
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
7:10 pm
“The comparison is only to show that your supposition that big men have shorter careers than usual is belied by the fact that John Stockton is the ONLY non-big man in the top 5 of career games played.”
Name me one current center over the age of 32 that is playing at a high level right now. TD is the only one I can think of and you know he’s Hall of Fame bound. Pau’s production is going to take a sharp decline in the years to come
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:11 pm
Guys – There are no decent C’s that are available that I know of. Josh for Derrick Williams?
Not many 3’s available out there either – that’s another area of need.
Josh for Rondo, then flip Rondo to the Jazz for Kanter and Favors? The Jazz do want Rondo it is reported. I just don’t know – I’m not seeing anything that fits.
Josh for Gasol? Include Hinrich, and they give a 1st?
Now if we could talk the Pistons out of Greg Monroe, and the salaries could work, we may be on to something there. Even if we had to take on Tayshaun Prince (good move) and (yuck) Villenueava – and give them Marv and Kirk or something.
Dawg
March 8th, 2012
7:14 pm
The Hawks will be BORING without Josh.
Atlbass
March 8th, 2012
7:15 pm
What if Atl traded him for Andrea Bargnani, that guy really showed he can play some and really if he is playing even average d he is a huge plus. Maybe get their second rounder
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:15 pm
Josh for Nash and Childress?
Josh and Marvin for Varejo and Sessions?
If we trade Josh, he is going to make us pay for the next 5-6 years.
Nothing is just fitting and obvious right now.
Kirk and some 2nd picks for Kaman? Give them Jason Collins to make the salaries work.
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
7:16 pm
“There are no decent C’s that are available that I know of. Josh for Derrick Williams?”
I like where you’re going, but I don’t think we need another glorified Marvin on our team, Williams is awful on defense.
skyhawk1
March 8th, 2012
7:16 pm
Send his sore ass and stupid decision making to the Nets for B. Lopez or the Nuggets for Nene.
doc
March 8th, 2012
7:17 pm
as o was saying last week bit acvised of hatin josh will not be affordable and we will part ways. pragmatically it is time to move on emotionally and get the best value possible or somehow move mney t make way for his mega contract. shop hom to a deep team with movable pars like dallas okc or denver out of our division. maybe even memphis thoigh soneone brought up his contract is a prob to move.
TMACfan
March 8th, 2012
7:18 pm
It’s sad cause he actually wants to play for Atlanta. He is just an easy target for critizism and you can’t blame him for wantin out.
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:19 pm
Josh for Wallace and Felton from the Blazers?
Josh for Carmelo?
Josh and Hinrich for Rondo and Garnett? Or Rondo and Peirce, and give them Marvin also?
Josh and Marvin for Monta and David Lee? Lee’s contract is horrible.
Josh for Boozer? Yuck, don’t do that deal
Josh for Odum and Marion? Where is Odum’s head at?
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
7:19 pm
One player I would like to see considered is Javale McGee, but again, I don’t think the ownership would be willing to lock him up long term
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
Yeh, maybe Toronto, Nuggets, or somebody would give us a deal – I like Calderon, but they’d have to give alot more than that to get Josh.
Josh for Granger/Collison? Throw in Hinrich?
Go offer him (Josh) a 5 year 75 million dollar deal, and see what he does…
Josh Smith wants to be traded
March 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
[...] According to a recent article by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith has let the team know he wants to be traded by the March 15 NBA trade deadline. [...]
Jt
March 8th, 2012
7:28 pm
Two things: he is their best player period. They need to make it work And he is right- they do not promote him as they should. This is an Atlanta native that just wanted to play for the Hawks. Who else has wanted that? Nobody. They should have promoted him and taught him-they didn’t. They bought JJ instead and promoted someone who really does not want to be promoted. Trade him- it’s the Hawks loss-period.
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:29 pm
San Antonio has a deep bench…Maybe they have some folks to offer.
OKC? I don’t know what I’d take from them – Serge and Harden if they’d do that.
Thad Young and Lou???
Josh for Gortat?
Rufus1
March 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
List of SG’S and SF’s in the East…For those who want to trade Joe for that MIDGET Ellis
6′5 Dwade, 6′9 LBJ
6′8 George, 6′9 Granger
6′7 Hamilton, 6′9 Deng
6′6 Allen, 6′8 Pierce
6′7 Fields, 6′9 Anthony
Ellis 6′2
The East is about wing players….
cp
March 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
McGee has all the physical talent in the world but if you think people were mad when Josh made bad plays wait until they see McGee. For every highlight play McGee makes, he makes a bunch of bad plays. I dont know if we have the proper coaching staff in place to help a guy like McGee. I wouldn’t mind having a guy like that but we need a better coaching staff to work with him.
@SteveW. I would stay away from Odum. Its clear dude wants to be back in LA.
Lakers Trade Rumors: Josh Smith and Kobe Bryant Would Be Toxic Combo | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
March 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
[...] Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Josh Smith has informed the Atlanta Hawks that he would like to be traded before the March 15 trade deadline. [...]
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
FIRE SUND
This front office probably laughed at Josh if/when he was campaigning to be an All Star
cp
March 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
I would love Serge and Harden but I see no reason why OKC would do that deal. What is their cap situation looking like? Anybody got the numbers?
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
So if we trade Josh, we are left to rebuilding around an aging JJ with a bad contract, the not quite good enough Jeff Teague, and the injured tweener Al – not quite fast enough to be a great 4, not quite big enough to be a great C. Oh yea, and ZaZa, Marvin and the crowd.
ZaZa’ actually a good piece however – as are JJ, Teague and Al. Just not good enough for a Championship.
db
March 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
Enter your comments here
Tremaine
March 8th, 2012
7:36 pm
SAD!!! I can’t blame the guy for wanting a trade. Especially after the all-star game bs. Man it really sucks to be a hawks fan.
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:37 pm
CP – I know OKC is about to be obliterated cap wise – Durant and Westbrook at max deals, Serge coming up as a RFA, and Harden after him – and that with Perkins at a pretty hefty deal also.
Atlbass
March 8th, 2012
7:38 pm
Perhaps Calderon, Bayless and 2013 first round from Toronto?
Andrew Lipham
March 8th, 2012
7:41 pm
Joe and Al for Dwight
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 8th, 2012
7:41 pm
You guys are really being emotional and missing the point:
Where will Josh sign a contract extension? Yawl sound like your’e picking fruit at PUBLIX – where shopping is a pleasure.
Until MC prints A list of teams that Mr. Smith will consider, then apparently MC’s source who knows what Josh is thinking. – doesn’t really know much at all.
Basically all MC got is this:
Hello my blog people, someone really credible told me Josh wants to be traded to a contender.
I’ve read 6 pages of comments and, Am I the ONLY one wondering, “Oh really MC, where does your inside source say Mr. Smith would like to go? What are the list of teams he would like to go to?”
A half story to me, is no different to me than a half-truth.
Good Nite my cohorts.
Andrew Lipham
March 8th, 2012
7:46 pm
Josh Smith for Nene Hilario?
Tremaine
March 8th, 2012
7:47 pm
I don’t understand the Josh to GS for Ellis rumors when they already have David Lee.
KevinM
March 8th, 2012
7:49 pm
The only deal that gets done is a deal that saves us money. This ownership group is not all-in for a run at the championship and their actions will show that.
Instead of bringing in legit help while Al and Joe are down, the rumors are to move out the other captain because of the actions of the ASG.
SteveW
March 8th, 2012
7:51 pm
OKC’s cap space blows up after next season – You’ve got Durant and Westbrook at max deals, Perkins at 8.5m or so, and then you have to sign Harden, Ibaka, and Maynor.
They’ll have 41m+ in Durant, Westbrook, and Perkins alone…And you figure Harden is going to get somewhere near a max deal.
phil
March 8th, 2012
7:58 pm
Here’s a better idea….
Release him now!
BosnianBaller
March 8th, 2012
7:58 pm
Josh Smith,Marvin,Teague for KG and Rondo. And get that $20 mil cap space from KG’s expiring contract
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
8:00 pm
No way Josh Smith will be traded to a contender. A contender isn’t willing to part ways with good players
J-SmooveFan
March 8th, 2012
8:03 pm
We can’t trade Josh. He’s the only one on the team with heart and fire. He is finally reaching his potential. Love him!
northcyde
March 8th, 2012
8:05 pm
Some of you need to stop it. Hawks are currently 27th in attendance.
27th
And some of you wonder why Josh wants out?
He hears NOOOOOOOOOO everytime he takes a jumpshot. He plays in 60% full arenas every night a superstar from somewhere else isn’t in town. The Hawks, nor the ATL media did little to hype up a possible all-star bid. And if he stays in ATL, most NBA people will still consider Al Horford to be a better player.
So while I don’t Josh to go anywhere, I fully understand why he thinks he must make the most out of this. His next contract will possibly be his last big money deal. It’ll also be the contract in which he either becomes an all-star, or a good player.
I dont know if he can get the type of exposure he may seek, NY staying in ATL.
The man is making a possible business decision. And I can’t blame him for his thought process.
Andrew Lipham
March 8th, 2012
8:05 pm
Josh Smith wont be traded until the offseason.
The Truth
March 8th, 2012
8:05 pm
“I don’t understand the Josh to GS for Ellis rumors when they already have David Lee” Tremaine
Some teams like GS have already thrown in the towel for this season. They are now just trying to move players and collect assets for future trades regardless of how much sense the trade makes. The only ligic if any in this trade is
northcyde
March 8th, 2012
8:07 pm
27th in attendance. And were a playoff level team?
That’s why I say that no one on this team is untradeable.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 8th, 2012
8:07 pm
One more thing, the only deal Sund is looking for is one that improves the Hawks. That equals top ten draft picks and/or young prospects.
So, now you’re looking at bottom dwellers unless like Melo. Did, he picked a team that wanted him and was willing to gut it’s roster against the GM’s wishes but, was over ridden by the single owner.
Which we have nothing like that going on here in our front office with 8 owners, an unable GM and a destination team that is salivating for Josh at any cost with picks and young. Fresh talented players.
Minnesota? They don’t need Josh
New York? Maybe but, they don’t have top ten picks.
OKC? Bingo. Uh oh … They pick low in round 1.
STRETCH
March 8th, 2012
8:08 pm
JOSH AND DWIGHT ARE BOTH SETTING THE TABLE RIGHT NOW. THEY KNOW THEY WANT TO BE TOGETHER, AND THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY.