Atlanta Hawks: On Josh Smith’s future
Before Josh Smith started his summer vacation, he was asked about the possibility of signing a contract extension with the Hawks.
“I can’t get extended,” Smith said. “They didn’t give me the money; I had to go get it. That’s something I have to play it out and see how it goes from there.”
Two things stand out about that statement. The first is that Smith, who presumably got the info from his agent, is wrong about his contract not being eligible for an extension.
I looked at Larry Coon’s CBA FAQ and could see no reason why Smith is not eligible for an extension. It’s been at least three years since he signed the deal, it’s never been renegotiated and it doesn’t include an opt-in. I checked with Coon and he confirmed the Hawks can extend Smith’s deal (they actually have been able to do so since August).
But the more interesting aspect of Smith’s statement is his allusion to having to “go get” his contract. He’s referring, of course, to the offer sheet he signed with Memphis in 2008, which Atlanta subsequently matched. (The Hawks can thank the Grizzlies for being able to keep Smith with a reasonable deal.)
It bothers Smith he had to create a market for himself to get a satisfactory contract from the Hawks (though at least he didn’t have to leave the country like Josh Childress). Smith’s feelings were amplified when Al Horford got an extension before becoming a restricted free agent. So add that 2008 contract dance to Smith’s list of grievances with the Hawks.
The question now is whether Smith can be persuaded to sign an extension with the Hawks. My educated guess is Smith won’t do it. The Hawks may be able to make Smith feel more appreciated with their public comments, but what can can do about Smith’s main gripe, that they aren’t committed to winning a championship?
It seems unlikely the Hawks will even spend the full mid-level on a free agent. Remember what happened after Smith, Horford and Joe Johnson called on the Hawks to make some major moves during training camp? The Hawks ended up signing an assortment of minimum-salaried free agents, with two of those players on non-guaranteed deals.
Nor do trades look like a very promising way to placate Smith. Any deal that involves sending away Horford could leave as many holes as it covers. If trading Johnson is possible, it almost certainly means taking back another burdensome contract.
Zaza Pachulia and Jeff Teague are assets because they are productive players with reasonable contracts. But those are also good reasons to keep them. As for Marvin Williams, there hasn’t been a market for him for going on three years now.
The irony is that one of the best ways for the Hawks to bring in a major piece is to trade Smith. His production, experience and expiring contract make him an attractive target. So does the sense that he’s still yet to fully reach his potential, though that’s a reality that cuts both ways for the Hawks.
Are the Hawks beyond hoping Smith can become a superstar for them? How much is he worth? If the Hawks don’t think they can persuade Smith to commit beyond next season, do they aggressively try to trade him before the deadline or risk losing him for nothing next summer?
I’m genuinely interested to see how all that plays out. The Hawks have a recent history of overvaluing their own players. Michael Gearon Jr. does have a deep appreciation for Smith, even if Smith doesn’t think Gearon or his partners have done enough to show it.
For his part, Smith deflected questions about his standing trade request, noting that he could be fined for talking about it. But he didn’t sound as if he expects to be traded in the offseason.
“All I know is I have one more year on my contract so I will definitely be here,” he said. “I just have to go into the offseason to better myself and do whatever I have to do to help this ballclub. I was an Atlanta Hawk after the trade deadline and I’m one now, so I have to look at some of the things I can do to help my basketball team win ballgames, especially in the postseason.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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1,015 comments Add your comment
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
Sautee
At this point;
this draft appears to be so deep,
maybe a one in 10 years type of draft;
that I believe multiple picks are the way to go this yr.
A team with 3 # ones and a couple of twos are like gold.
By the way Sund;
has already sold one valuable pick already.
A pick that could have been used to select
‘ Bernard James ‘ of Fla St.
aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
CHUCK NORRIS
May 29th, 2012
4:11 pm
Sergiy Gladyr: Hawks interested in 2009 pick Sergiy Gladyr
Sergiy Gladyr – G – ATL – May. 26 – 4:15 pm et
The Hawks are reportedly interested in signing 2009 draft pick Sergiy Gladyr, who has been playing professionally in Spain.
Gladyr is a 6′5″ shooting guard with solid range, and Atlanta is in search of more outside shooting. We don’t anticipate him having any fantasy relevance as a rookie, assuming he does make the jump to the NBA. May. 26 – 4:15 pm et
Source: SoloBasket.com
Sautee
May 29th, 2012
4:20 pm
Grandad,
I hear ya’. But Davis is SUCH a game changer, that he just might be worth three other quality players. Best big in the draft since Duncan, IMO.
Still, I remember when Jimmy Johnson totally rebuilt the Cowboys with all of those picks from trading Herschel. So it works both ways.
If I had more faith in the organization’s use of multiple first rounders, I’d feel differently.
kwooden
May 29th, 2012
4:20 pm
Just Joe, I thought Marvin’s last year was a Team option buts its either a Player Option or ETO. That was a major mistake by Sund. Marvin’s contract isn’t worth trade bait until next year. Looks like Josh is the only contract that might get a good player and draft pick in return.
KevinM
May 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
“Sergiy Gladyr: Hawks interested in 2009 pick”
This year’s Pape Sy….I can’t wait….another typical Sund maneuver.
A couple of NBA comparisons:
Doron Lamb: Cuttino Mobley – this would be a good one to solidify the backcourt. He is solid with the ball and doesn’t turn the ball over.
FTs and perimeter game solid.
Terrance Jones: Marvin Williams – poor Terrance – would it surprise you if Sund selected Jones? I don’t know if Slim or JeJe could handle it.
Mo Harkless: James Posey…yes this is a need but I’m not too excited about this one if he was there for us at 23.
Andrew Nicholson: Craig Brackins – anyone want to chime in?
Marquis Teague: Jeff Teague: haha, surprise comparison….could we justify 2 Teagues to drive LD crazy?
I guess you can tell who I like in that bunch.
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
4:27 pm
Sautee
As usual we agree even when we disagree.
huh ?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 29th, 2012
4:31 pm
I remember watching Gladyr in summer league a couple of years ago and thinking he might be the worst defender in NBA history if he ever makes it here. I hope he hit the buffet a few times since then. Dude needs to add some pounds.
Ra'mon
May 29th, 2012
4:33 pm
This is my deal of the day.
Atlanta Gets:
K. Lowry
S. Dalembert
K. Martin
Houston 2012 lowest 1st round pick
LAL gets:
J. Johnson
P. Patterson
Houston gets:
P. Gasol
J. Teague
This deal gives Atlanta the PG need who is a high assist guy, a deadly shooter who can create his own shot (though injury prone), and more depth at the post position (Zaza and Dalembert coming off the bench would be huge – or don’t pick up his option that is up). LAL gets another scorer who will take pressure off of Kobe, and spread the floor for Bynum to own the post, as well as a perimeter defender who can guard the teams best player. And Houston gets a young PG/SG to pair with Dragic and the post scorer they want to pair with Scola in Gasol. And the Rockets save cap space.
Ra'mon
May 29th, 2012
4:36 pm
Sautee, I think I’d rather have Gilchrist, Marshall, and Melo over Davis if I have a good team of guys who know how to teach my rookies. But for the Hawks, you have to take Davis because he’s less likely to fail despite the organization, lol.
MikeH
May 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
I love all these trade ideas…However, Sund isn’t too worried about trades especially since he isn’t even committed to coming back…Furthermore, Sund has shown no vision or apetite to change this team beyond there current payroll…In fact, if the ASG could they would reduce it not add to it…So, in my opinion we are stuck until Marvin’s contract runs out and stuck unless someone overwhelms us with an offer for Smooth….Which to the ASG would have to be expiring contracts and draft picks as I do not see them adding back bad contracts unless our payroll could immediantly drops…In other words, we are not lookig to get better we are looking to cheaper
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
4:43 pm
Davis would pack the house!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 29th, 2012
4:43 pm
“Still, I remember when Jimmy Johnson totally rebuilt the Cowboys with all of those picks from trading Herschel. So it works both ways.”
In the NFL, sure. I don’t think that is true in the NBA. If Anthony Davis is really going to be the best big man since Duncan, he is worth ten first round picks as far as I’m concerned. The NBA is a superstar’s league.
I am not 100% convinced that Davis is really that good though. He will be very good, but the best big man since Duncan? Better than Dwight Howard? Better than Yao Ming? Will he even necessarily be better than Andrew Bynum, who averages 19-12-2 at age 24 (probably would average a lot more as a #1 option on a worse team like Davis will be) and is one of the best low post scorers in the league? I’m not totally convinced. He needs to add some pounds to that string bean frame and show that he can score in the low post, neither of which is currently anything close to a certainty.
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
4:47 pm
How bout them Braves????? Crickets…………………………….[eyes roll] [whistle]………..
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
4:49 pm
“High-Sider’s hero got beaten out by a slow white boy, so it HAS to be a racial thing, doesn’t it?
It obviously has nothing to do with Jamal not playing defense, while Hinrich does. And it’s just a coincidence that our defensive numbers improved without Jamal. Funny how all of those statistics that Jamal amassed didn’t help him at all on defense, lol.
But if it’s hard to swallow, just blame it on race. Yeah, that’s the ticket.” – Mr. Contradiction
It’s funny how the Hawks postseason success this year unimproved without Jamal Crawford. Where was Hinrich’s defense on Rajon Rondon? Rondo averaged 16.8ppg, 5.6rpg and 11.8apg vs. the Hawks in the playoffs.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/rajon_rondo/
KevinM
May 29th, 2012
4:52 pm
For Sund to get the 1st pick in the draft, he would have to give up 5 excellent assets at minimum.
It would take Joe/Josh, Al and 2 future #1s to get Davis in a Hawks uniform.
So instead of driving to Charlotte and seeing Davis there, I could just go get the Philips experience (haha) and watch a young Hawks team with Teague, Davis and pick 23.
LD might even quit too!
KevinM
May 29th, 2012
4:56 pm
Now this is funny………..
“Stephon Marbury: “It’s not about the money. These two leagues (CBA and NBA) are completely different. NBA players have no feelings, like a stone. And maybe people think the NBA is the best league, but i was there and I won’t go back”.
That’s probably what AI has been saying since last year too!
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:02 pm
KevinM
I do not know who made these comparisons ?
I`ll do better:
*Doron Lamb = a cross between Gary Neal & Anthony Morrow
*Terrence Jones = a lefty Gerald Wallace with a better shot.
[with a little dab 0` Kenyon Martin]
*Moe Harkless = Kawhi Leonard or Shane Battier *[defensive stopper]
*Andrew Nicholson = An old school player -&- and please understand:
offense = footwork + post moves; Kevin Mchale, Hakeem Olajuwon
defense = DeAndre Jordan, Zo Mourning, Cole Aldrich;
**[a range of players due to length, standing reach, and max vert]
shooting = Troy Murphy; a Big with range
*** these comparisons are -not- to say;
he is or will be as good as those Hall 0` Famers.
Just comparing aspects of his unique multi faceted game.
**** Now yawl know why I like this young man ****
Teaguer to Teaguer = good comparison / their only one IMO.
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:04 pm
McHale
Ray
May 29th, 2012
5:09 pm
@ High Sider you do realize that we were missing like 5 people correct(maybe not that much).
When Jamal was here he had everyone except Kirk Hinrich who got injured I believe 1st round right before the second round.
This year we missed Al Horford(over half season), Zaza(Playoffs), Josh Smith was a little bothered, and I believe someone else wasn’t there for some reason forgotten now.
Jabroni Joe
May 29th, 2012
5:09 pm
“As for Marvin Williams, there hasn’t been a market for him for going on three years now.”
MORE LIKE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL!!!
Sautee
May 29th, 2012
5:12 pm
“He needs to add some pounds to that string bean frame and show that he can score in the low post, neither of which is currently anything close to a certainty.”
I agree. His offense may be a year or two out. But he’s ready on D from Day 1. I’m not sure that he’ll be anyone’s first option on offense right away. But you know, Bill Russell won 5 MVPs, and he was never more than the 4th option on those Celtic teams.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:13 pm
I think the thing that intrigues me most about Davis from KY is his strengths – Defense. Really, since Russel and Bill Walton, I can’t remember another big that is just known for his D than Davis.
Mutombo – but of course Davis is not that tall. Little different skill set there also.
I think with Davis you may have in a couple of years a 12 ppg, 15 rbg, 3.5 blcks per game kind of guy.
Again, I’m flailing to remember a guy who posted those kind of numbers recently. Mutombo is the closest to those numbers I can think of.
Ray
May 29th, 2012
5:13 pm
@ Sautee I learned my lesson about Drafts I’d rather have 4 first round choices then the #1 overall choice.
Remember 2007 I’d rather you guys be mad with say Al Horford then the entire state of GA upset if we ended up with a Greg Oden.
Ray
May 29th, 2012
5:14 pm
Just the #1 overall choice I mean.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
Wes Unseld kind of numbers? DRod?
He’ll be better than Ben Wallace I think, who was what, a 4 or 5 time DPOY guy?
Yeh, if we could pull off a trade to get Davis, I’d do that. He’s about as close to a sure thing as is out there.
Ray
May 29th, 2012
5:17 pm
@ SteveW
Don’t get too ahead of yourself I’d love to buy into some of this pre-draft hype, but I don’t want to only to get disappointed no one knows what’s to happened between now and say 2 years.
He could range anywhere from the next Walton or Duncan to somewhere in the Marvin Williams/Brandon Roy(What I mean by that is he could either be a bust, or he’s a bust because of something he couldn’t control like Brandon Roy’s Knee problem which forced him to retire which sucked for Portland).
Ra'mon
May 29th, 2012
5:20 pm
Gilchrist will be better than Davis will be.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:23 pm
High Sider – I agree that teams overreach looking for a good white guy. It’s marketing and money. It is what it is. The average white household has 14x the net worth as the average black household in America.
Luke Babbit? Adam Morrison? Jimmer Fredette? Are you kidding me? (Fredette still got a shot by the way). That #10 pick out of Oregon that the Hawks had in camp or summer league last year?
Yep, teams, just for marketing sake, want a white star.
Sorry to be so blunt. But it’s the truth. So they over reach in the draft for them.
But on the flip side, whites are way less racist in this country as a whole than they were 20, 30, 40 years ago. Maybe ever been. Most whites I know think of all nationalities as equals in the human race.
And there is a far greater upward mobile generation of all cultures than has ever been in this country. And for that I am glad.
Blacks are equal to Whites. Or Latinos. Or Asians. End of story.
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:25 pm
For those who think I may have over-rated Nicholson:
* I have not seen his individual workouts yet.
Plus & Also:
*he has not shown the motor of Faried
*he does not have the absolute hgt of a true Center
**[have not seen his true measureables]
*we cannot know if he has the heart of Olajuwon
*he does not [yet] nor will he ever have the muscles of Zo
***[however he has the frame to add wgt]
*he has the versatility to play three pos [3,4,5]
****[will he be the master of one] ?
____________________________________________
Yes;
I take a grain 0` Salt with my meal.
____________________________________________
But this is a great kid who realized that being a basketball plyr
at a Div I University is a Full Time job.
He was a Chemistry major !
Thus, understanding he may have bitten off more than he could chew;
he changed his major.
Before you judge him harshly;
young Andrew switched from the demanding ‘ Chemistry ‘
to;
the lesser demanding ….. ‘ Physics ‘ … !
This is one bright kid.
_____________________________________________
Canadian / with dark complexion / not that it matters.
Ra'mon
May 29th, 2012
5:25 pm
Gilchrist will be a poor man’s Pippen.
Ray
May 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
Looking at Gilchrist HE is the player we might be missing in the line-up.
I don’t know if I’d go far enough to say better than Anthony Davis, but as far as hawks are concerned he’s the type of player we need.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:28 pm
Ray – I know what you mean – I was thinking of Marvin and Len Bias when I was typing. You are really never sure what your going to get.
Look at Kwame Brown.
Look at Darko.
So much has to do with the character and work ethic they put in after they are drafted.
That’s why I like this group of Hawks. Josh, JJ, Teague all workout like crazy in the off season. Al improved his offensive game with the midrange J.
Those are underrated traits, and builds a winning culture.
Kobe’s got it. MJ had it. Not sure about LeBron and Dwade (But he’s go the heart of a champion).
That off season stuff is important.
Marvin does not have it.
Ray
May 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
As for Fab Melo I don’t want him anymore after I heard lacks motor questioning his conditioning and basically lacks heart for the game yeah me don’t want none of that ish.
We already got enough of that with some players now.
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Is anyone on this board racist ?
High-Sider ?
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
Gilchrist will be good.
no one takes him over Davis.
I take two lower picks over Gilchrist any day.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:33 pm
Ra’mon – If Gilchrist is somewhere around Scottie Pippen – He’d be a good one on this Hawks team. Probably have to give up Josh, and maybe a 1st (You could swap it, so it could happen) and Marvin, and who knows what else to get him. I don’t know enough about Gilchrist to form an opinion. I wonder if he’s got a shot at going 2nd in the draft?
Ra'mon
May 29th, 2012
5:34 pm
I haven’t watched an extreme amount of Davis. But from what I know of him, I would take him over Josh or Al. But can anyone tell me what separates Davis and Noah apart?
By the way, I think Chicago would take Al for Noah straight up.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:37 pm
Some draft dude said Fab has been working out very hard for the draft. Now that could either carry over.
Or that could turn out like Marvin.
David Thompson – to motivate me at BB as a young man, they use to tell me stories of him jumping and grabbing a quarter off the top of the backboard. I tried so hard, I never could do that.
And he was only like 6-3.
But we use to tune in games – this was the day before cable, so it was a rare treat, just to watch him elevate to the hoop. It was truly unbelievable.
His springs were unlike anybody I’ve ever seen.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:41 pm
High Sider – That Joe Alexander is another example of over reach as well. Even Hinrich at #7 when he was drafted, even though he had some good years.
Most folks don’t realize that Hinrich maybe never shot much over 40% from the floor until recently. Under 40% for much of his career. He didn’t develop a mid-range until late.
Mr. Contradiction
May 29th, 2012
5:42 pm
“It’s funny how the Hawks postseason success this year unimproved without Jamal Crawford. Where was Hinrich’s defense on Rajon Rondon? Rondo averaged 16.8ppg, 5.6rpg and 11.8apg vs. the Hawks in the playoffs.”
Like I said, hard to swallow, so he keeps talking about Hinrich, trying to bring him down so his hero won’t look so bad for getting beaten out by a slow white boy.
It got to be his skin color, not his defense, lol. Keep on tryin’. But hey man, we all know what you are trying to do. Ease the pain, by saying it’s not Jamal’s fault, it was the man, holding him down, choosing the slow white boy, because he’s white. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:45 pm
I think Davis is a more natural shot blocker than Noah. Plays like a true big, rim protector. Noah just plays with hustle and energy.
Noah this season concerned me some. He has no offensive game, other than junk points. And he was off a little this season. averaged around 10 and 10 I think.
ZaZa averaged around 8 and 8.
Noah blocks shot’s better than ZaZa
But this season, Noah wasn’t that much better than ZaZa. Better yes. But not that much better.
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:50 pm
High-Sider
I`ve tried again to re-post
*I have re-worded
*tried to sneak one paragraph
*completely altered `most everything
-yet-
there is something within my message
that is offensive to the blgmnstr.
Even my sweet, gentle, wise, `though naive little wife of 40+ yrs.
could find nuthin` offensive.
-and-
I offend her daily, she`s an expert ! … -on bein` offended by me-
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:54 pm
Ra`mon
Obviously you have not seen A.D. play ?
And ! … I love Noah !
FTs for one thing.
Rod from College Park
May 29th, 2012
5:55 pm
Davis was a guard and grew tremendoulsly in a couple of years. He can already use both hands, has handles, and plays great defense. His offensive game needs works but he is pretty much a can’t miss prospect barring injury. The best big man since Tim Duncan is Dwight Howard. He is not as good as Dwight Howard, but he will be a force, and a great defender.
SteveW
May 29th, 2012
5:56 pm
Lets see, Davis averaged: 14.2 ppg on 62.3% shooting, 4.7 blocks per game, and 10.4 rebounds. 32 minutes per game. 71% FT shooter.
Yep, I’d say that’s pretty good. 4.7 blocks per game? Wow, that’s a major stat right there.
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:59 pm
I care not what any draft dude says;
Fab Melo`s battery is dead.
No, No, No, and again, I say No.
Hasheem Thabeet takes Fabulous Melo [yes Fabulous]
in One on One … 9 out of 10 times !!!!!!!!!!
Ra'mon
May 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
Grandad, I really didn’t watch many of UK’s games, watched more of UNC. In any case, I wonder if MJ got the pick, would he take Josh, Al and the Hawks first round pick for the pick. Because if Davis is that good, I would do that deal, cut salary and pair him with Zaza.
Sautee
May 29th, 2012
6:09 pm
The most impressive thing to me about Davis is his timing on his blocks. His instincts are amazing. I haven’t seen a defensive player like that in a long time.
But he’s got a decent mid-range jumper, too.
Rufus1
May 29th, 2012
6:44 pm
Dion Waiters.. Will be the Dwade light.
Terrance Ross..Will be Joe Johnson.
No way do I take Austin Rivers or Jeremy Lamb over either guy.
@High-sider?????
Are you Jamal Crawford? Are you related to Jamal Crawford? Do you work for Jamal Crawford?… I know we disagree about that “ball chucking”, non-defensive playing “ball stopper”, but your defense of him goes way to far for me to believe you are just a fan…
BIG DOG
May 29th, 2012
7:01 pm
Money Man Mayweather and 50cent had a fight over the weakend, JUST DAM.
50cent won $10,000 bet against Mayweather on fight Saturday night.
Sunday night at dinner 50cent ask for his money, Money Man Mayweather said kiss his a$$ and i an’t paying you sh!t guest what happen, 50cent and Money Man was throwing down, from what i here 50cent was putting in work.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE