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
8:10 pm
“Name me one current center over the age of 32 that is playing at a high level right now.”
Runner, you are changing the argument. Your flat statement was that “you know big men have shorter careers than usual”. Which I showed was wrong.
You said nothing about “playing at a high level”, until now did you? That’s a whole different argument.
The Truth
March 8th, 2012
8:10 pm
“The only logic if any in this trade is to upgrade Ellis and dump Lee’s contract for Josh”
TMACfan
March 8th, 2012
8:13 pm
The Atlanta Hawks made an offer for Dwight Howard before the season, even though they’re not on his list. They may be open to renting him.
-Alex Kennedy
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
8:16 pm
“Runner, you are changing the argument. Your flat statement was that “you know big men have shorter careers than usual”. Which I showed was wrong.
You said nothing about “playing at a high level”, until now did you? That’s a whole different argument.”
No, my whole point was to say that Center’s production declines as they age. Trading Smoove for Pau and a Laker’s 1st round pick would be a foolish trade for that very reason.
Leuer's Mom
March 8th, 2012
8:17 pm
To me, this is awesome news. Finally, we have some motivation to break up “the core”. This is something that the Hawks have needed to do for a long time. I think this trade works out better for everyone. Josh should be better off playing under a coach that knows how to hone him and get him to play to his strengths, rather than continuing to play under a guy who just lets him do whatever he wants without trying to help him improve.
Also, I’ve said for a long time that Josh and Al can’t reach their true potential playing together, since they both essentially play the same position. At some point, we need to pick one or the other, and if Josh wants out, that makes the decision easy.
Finally, we can start rebuilding this team and forget about the illusion that this sacred “core” is going to lead us to a championship. We can use whichever assets Josh brings in to help give this team true balance. We can hopefully find a starting caliber center to allow Al to play at the 4 full time, and move zaza back to the bench. Also, we can perhaps improve our perimeter defense off of the bench and get some more well-defined role players in the process.
It’s disappointing that Josh apparently doesn’t want to stay with the Hawks long-term, but if he wants out, I think it will be for the best for both sides. Hopefully, Josh finds success wherever he ends up going, if anywhere. My only other disappointment is that even if Josh really does want to leave the Hawks, I doubt that the ASG will trade him.
Oh well, at least there’s some more incentive to break up “the core”.
Jerome
March 8th, 2012
8:21 pm
I would love to see Josh traded as long as he’s okay with it. I feel like the organization is holding both him and Horford back, and neither guy will likely reach his potential here. I think it is in the best interest for Josh and the team to trade him elsewhere.
Ryan
March 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
I think whoever gets josh should HAVE to take joe. Lol
James
March 8th, 2012
8:29 pm
Even if Josh does want to be traded, Sund and the ASG are so hesitant and slow to make moves that I doubt he will be traded by the deadline, so we’ll probably just end up with a situation where Smith ends up signing elsewhere for nothing over a year from now.
If he wants to be traded, I hope they are doing everything they can to find a good deal for him. And, by that, I mean that Sund should be making the calls and actively pursing a deal, not just waiting to see if an interesting deal comes to him.
James
March 8th, 2012
8:30 pm
Correction” actively *pursuing* a deal
dwight
March 8th, 2012
8:33 pm
trade him to orlando with a boatload of cash and get dwight, asap!
Sautee
March 8th, 2012
8:34 pm
“No, my whole point was to say that Center’s production declines as they age.”
As do forwards, and guards. Duh.
A better question might be how much of a rebuild are YOU looking at? Because I can’t imagine Gasol declining greatly before his contract is up two years from now. If he DID decline, let him go, or re-sign him to a more realistic deal (like Jamal had to take). But if you want total Ka-Boom, then a smaller contract would be wiser.
Players today have an astonishing array of ways to keep fit, that players even a few years ago did not. But you seem fixated on skill erosion. So I guess you’d like an all-rookie team?
Atlbass
March 8th, 2012
8:37 pm
Drmary how about getting ed davis, raptors 2013 first round pick and calderon who expires after next year anyway?
GHS
March 8th, 2012
8:39 pm
Let him go. I would not watch him if he played in my back yard.
tmc
March 8th, 2012
8:41 pm
His jump shots may be down from last season (along with his shooting %), but i have NEVER seen a big man/power forward worth his salt shoot so many jump shots and 3 pointers. Never.
As someone who used to keep up with the Hawks until this year, Josh needs to go to another team. This team has reached it’s peak with Josh & Joe Johnson. It’s time for both to go, clean house in the entire organization and start playing harder and smarter.
Then and only then will the team get better and the fans return to support this team. Oh, and the owners must go!
I don’t blame Josh one bit for wanting to go to another team. These @ss clowns for owners are no more committed to winning than i am… and i don’t watch or follow the team anymore.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 8th, 2012
8:41 pm
Road Runner!
Looks like The Coyote got caught standing under that old cliff. Ka Boom!!! The boulder just landed on his head and he is flattened flat.
That’s All Folks! -Looney Tunes-
__________
Sauteed, Filleted and, De-Boned … Mmmm Good!
Mama Says
March 8th, 2012
8:43 pm
I watched Smith take two 3 point shots last night at very pivotal points in the game. He missed both and one was an air ball. Bottom line is he has been very undeciplined through his entire career.
If I were his coach, I would be fired because the 2nd time he through up a 3point shot I would bench him.
If there is one thing he has not learned its that he is not a long range shooter, the fact that he thinks he is kills this team on a regular basis.
He deserves the criticism and he would be an all star if he learned some decipline.
Trade him and get a team player
Eric
March 8th, 2012
8:43 pm
I’m with tmc on this one.
Mama Says
March 8th, 2012
8:44 pm
Threw I should have said
Blast
March 8th, 2012
8:47 pm
Until Josh comes out in public and says he wants to be traded, I will never believe this rumor. Even if he wants out, it won’t be in this mid-season. And if Josh leaves, I might stop watching the Hawks altogether. If Hawks wanna trade anybody, it should be Joe and Marvin.
Without Josh, the Hawks become a very boring team, and loses a TON on the defensive end. Josh is just starting to put it all together, the Hawks are slowly becoming his team. At full strenght, this team can compete with any team in the league. At full strenght, Hawks can make a decent run in the playoffs. So I find it very strange that Josh would be feeling like that. That’s the main reason I don’t believe this rumor. Unless Josh is just putting up a smoke screen for something else down the line.
Josh has his fumbling moments, but no other player in the league impacts the game like he does. The Hawks will be the dumbest organization in the NBA if they allowed who is turning out to be their franchise player to leave. And fans who think Josh has reached his peak are dead wrong. Josh is just reaching his potential. If he works on his free throws, his decision making, play more in the post, this dude will make history in the NBA.
And u think dumb as the ASG is, even they don’t know that?
Love him or hate him, Josh generates the most talk among the Hawks. Check out how many posts, blog pages and in so short amount of time since this blog came out!
Rufus1
March 8th, 2012
8:49 pm
This team playing well without isn’t about Josh….
It is about the BENCH.
What we have had from Josh is CONSISTENT energy and effort on DEFENSE, so the team been CONSISTENT…. That is what has ALWAYS been asked of JOSH but seldom received.
Play like this for the rest of the season and ATL will love you.
Eric
March 8th, 2012
8:52 pm
I really hope that this isn’t just some false rumor to stir up trouble. If Josh really does want to be traded, I really hope that he is traded. It’s silly to keep a player that is not committed to your team unless that player is bringing in a lot of fans.
If the rumors are true, then I will be very disappointed if the trade deadline rolls around and Josh Smith is still a Hawk. That will be a bad situation for everyone and a distraction for the team. Give Josh what he wants. Shop him actively and take the best available offer.
STRETCH
March 8th, 2012
8:54 pm
Dont think they need to get rid of both JJ and JS, but moving JS would probably work better. I like JS, but the guy is NOT disciplined enough. When i say that i mean does not have enough self discipline.
The guy is a great player, could be one of the greatest to ever play in Atlanta, but like someone said earlier, he took 2 ill advized 3 pointers last night that he should not have. One was an airball. Not blaming it all on him, but usually his name comes up when the Hawks lose games.
And some say, why is JS getting picked on. Well, most star players figure out their weaknesses and strengths after about 5 seasons in the NBA and they make the adjustments and they make All-star teams. Josh still has not figured that out.
Move him to OKC for Ibaka and a filler. There are some options out there. Sund just has to get off his butt and do something. Its clear that JS is trying to reunite with Dwight Howard, so see what Orlando has to offer.
Slimjr
March 8th, 2012
8:54 pm
T minus 6 days Houston at midnight tonight
dremac22
March 8th, 2012
8:55 pm
if atlanta trades josh there will never be a soul at the game trade joe
TMACfan
March 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
If you trade Josh, this team has ZERO heart. Might as well blow the whole thing up. Hopefully ASG will sell the franchise.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 8th, 2012
8:58 pm
“Drmary how about getting ed davis, raptors 2013 first round pick and calderon who expires after next year anyway?” -AtlBAss-
I Like that a lot.
_____________
“Let him go. I would not watch him if he played in my back yard.” -GHS-
If you live in Atlanta, Ga. Then, Mr. Smith does play in your back yard. So, this means you were not a big Josh fan anyway. So, why waste your time blogging about someone you wouldn’t stand over the kitchen sink to look out your window to see ball?
I just don’t get it.
____________
If you can’t come correct on this blog, stay on the porch! Because you will get eaten alive with:
half truths
Innuendos
false statements
bull sh!t
By the blog monsters: Rod from CP, Sautee, Doc, Blu-Ray, Grand-Daddy, Grand Master JeJe, Norty-Cyde, slimjr, Buddy G and me. In that order, relentlessly and all day long.
We fight like zaza ’round here – with no facial expressions.
northcyde
March 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
Lol blast. So if Josh makes his FTs, makes better decisions, and plays more in the post, he’ll be great? But how many years has 90% of the blog been saying that?
It’s like saying all JJ needs to do is play faster, draw more fouls, and play big in big time games, JJ will be a superstar.
Neither guy has consistently done this though.
Eric
March 8th, 2012
9:04 pm
MC, are you planning on asking Josh about this, directly, to see if it is true? I can understand if you don’t plan on asking him. Even if you did ask him, he probably wouldn’t give an honest answer to the media, but I’m curious.
James
March 8th, 2012
9:06 pm
“if atlanta trades josh there will never be a soul at the game trade joe”
LOL. That’s being a bit dramatic. Some people like to watch Josh, and some people don’t. It all depends on the fan. Some people like his highlights, while others cringe at his silly mistakes. I would watch the Hawks regardless of whether Josh was on the team or not, not because they are exciting, but just because I like watching basketball.
K.W.
March 8th, 2012
9:07 pm
I feel bad that Smoove wants out. When you think about it you really can’t blame him because the moves the Hawks have made don’t show they’re serious about moving past the second round. I mean I would think the Hawks would question why don’t the top players in the league want to come and play in Atlanta? Because ASG is a total JOKE. The Hawks need to stop being so cheap and make some moves and that includes getting a better coach. LD is just a Woody clone and I really don’t take him serious as a head coach.
darrell starks
March 8th, 2012
9:14 pm
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7pd5thz
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 8th, 2012
9:16 pm
… and, Najeh will “bite ears” from time to time too. LOL!
darrell starks
March 8th, 2012
9:18 pm
Me two hope Josh want to stay, have become a popular player on this team and in the city, but must agree with majority of people if Josh want out you must let him go.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IceColdATLien
March 8th, 2012
9:21 pm
it’s really simple here, y’all: If you can swing a trade for Dwight, such as the rumors @ Joe, Al, Marvin for D12, JRich, Turkoglu, then you might as well do it. It’s BEYOND obvious that this core ain’t gonna get it done. Yes, Al was an all-star last year, but so was Roy friggin-Hibbert this year. That says more about the dearth of talent in the East at C than it does about anything else.
Of course it would likely be a rental, but can you imagine the interest in buying the Hawks with a guy like D12 and Josh on the squad? (two very marketable hometown guys would be very attractive to an owner from a business perspective) Worst case scenario is that D12 leaves next year, we then get rid of Josh, and we’d be rebuilding… which is gonna happen anyway… and we wouldn’t have to try to rebuild with Joe’s albatross of a contract constraining things. A new owner would likely want to rebuild anyway, so why not roll the dice with D12 and maybe he decides to stay, Josh decides to stay, Jeff is a great PG for the future, and then we’d get a good owner.
I really just cannot stand to sit pat for another 3 years of this above-mediocrity.
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
9:22 pm
Sorry, I just don’t see how trading Smoove for a late 1st round pick and an aging center is a good trade. Don’t think you can convince me otherwise, Smoove is just living up to his potential…
K.W.
March 8th, 2012
9:22 pm
It’s also said that Smoove isn’t appreciated. I mean his own teammates co-captains (Joe & Al) don’t speak up for him when the blame is being placed on him. I love Al, but he always gets a pass with the fans and media (imo).
darrell starks
March 8th, 2012
9:26 pm
I like the trade of Josh for Cousin, with Kings get a new Arena and Cousin coming back home down south the Hawks will finally get there center in Cousin.
Horford and Cousin sound good to me as this Organzation continue to find a buyer.
I wish Author would buy the Hawks and re due the Dome and the area, that would be a perfect invesment for Author.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rod
March 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
dump him yeah he an block shots but I have better low post moves and I am a fat 50 year old. Everytime he launches a shot outside of 15 feet I would bench him. Lastly, his bitching and moaning about every call and how he is not loved helps keep him off the All-Star team. Grow up and look at yourself Josh.
darrell starks
March 8th, 2012
9:34 pm
STARTER TEAGUE, JOE, FREE AGENT, HORFORD, COUSINS
Hawks will have more cap space to find a SF with Josh, Marvin, Hinrich, of the books next year.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
March 8th, 2012
9:37 pm
Runner,
It’s not a good trade for Josh. But let’s say the ASG don’t trade Josh, and when his contract is up after next year, he signs somewhere else for more $ (which I think he will). Then what? We would have lost Josh for nothing. So maybe the ASG decides to trade him rather than risk losing him for nothing.
That being said, I don’t like the Gasol trade. JJ and Pau Gasol would make a combined $38 mil. ASG cannot make that trade, especially since the Lakers 1st round pick will be out side of the lottery. unless they are willing to go into luxury tax.
IceColdATLien
March 8th, 2012
9:38 pm
Darrell, there’s no way in hell Sac-town gonna give up an up and coming C like Cousins. Those guys are just too hard to find. I wish you were right, but it ain’t happenin dude.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 8th, 2012
9:39 pm
Pau Gasol is NOT a center. He is a PF who does NOT like to BANG the headboard. We need a bonafide CENTER not a 14th PF on this already unbalanced roster. SMH
IceColdATLien
March 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
O’Brien,
What we should hope for is that ASG no longer even owns the team by the time Smoove’s contract is up and that Josh no longer even wants to leave.
JoshFan
March 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
This just makes me sick. The thought of Josh being traded is not a good move. Josh is why I go to the games and watch on TV. Other than Arthur, the owners of all our Sports teams are really starting to pissing me off. I am a true Atlanta Homer, Atlanta just needs Owners that want to win. LibertyM will not spend money on the Braves, and we have a Spirit Group that just sold the Thrashers! HELP WANTED PLEASE! OWNERS THAT WANT TO WIN FOR the Fans. Atlanta has a great fan base. We want owners that can bring in the best staff ,so they can bring in the best PLAYERS! Why does everyone want to live in Atlanta, but not PLAY? OWNERS!
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
“It’s not a good trade for Josh. But let’s say the ASG don’t trade Josh, and when his contract is up after next year, he signs somewhere else for more $ (which I think he will). Then what? We would have lost Josh for nothing. So maybe the ASG decides to trade him rather than risk losing him for nothing.”
I agree, this is a very difficult situation. For one, Smoove wants to go to a contender, so that pretty much takes out the lottery picks. Next, a contender most likely won’t part ways with an All-Star caliber center or any All-Star caliber player for that matter. We may have to settle on this one.
Sautee
March 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
Runner,
You don’t get it. I was not defending a trade idea. I was arguing against your sweeping statement:
“you know big men have shorter careers than usual.”
I think you are wrong. I’d hazard a guess that of the players currently in the league with double digit years played, the majority would be big men. Just a guess, but don’t take my word for it. Look at a few rosters and see for yourself.
IceColdATLien
March 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
drmaryb,
Hate to tell to you this, but 75% of the “centers” in this league are really PFs. That said, if there was any way that we could get Pau alongside Al for the next 2-3 years, and figure out a way to dump Marvin for a rack of balls and some ankle tape, we’d have one of the best frontcourts in the East
darrell starks
March 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
IceColdATLien early in the season Kings was trying to trade Cousins.
I say call Kings and see, remember Josh is a hot ticket right now so why wouldn’t Kings trade Cousins for 26year old Josh who is becoming a star in his own way ?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
“Although if Doc Rivers is (allegedly) having issues with Rondo, how would LD deal with him?”
Haha. If the Hawks are going to make personnel moves with LD in mind, they have lost before they even started. If the Hawks ever get the personnel to seriously contend, the first move has to be upgrading LD.
Runner-
March 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
“Because I can’t imagine Gasol declining greatly before his contract is up two years from now. If he DID decline, let him go, or re-sign him to a more realistic deal (like Jamal had to take). But if you want total Ka-Boom, then a smaller contract would be wiser.
Players today have an astonishing array of ways to keep fit, that players even a few years ago did not. ”
You made a reference to the trade here, and I got the impression that you did support it… guess not