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
Buddy Grizzard
May 29th, 2012
7:06 pm
“Where was Hinrich’s defense on Rajon Rondon?”
Sitting on the bench while Pargo and Green, two of the worst players in the NBA, saw significant minutes.
Rod from College Park
May 29th, 2012
7:24 pm
“Sitting on the bench while Pargo and Green, two of the worst players in the NBA, saw significant minutes.”
Hinrich averaged 23.5 mpg in the playoffs, while Pargo averaged 9.2mpg, and Willie Green averaged 12.6 mpg. So again the orignal question was where was Hinrich’s defense on Rondo? Your answer was not a true statement.
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
7:33 pm
Coach Grandad, I like this basketball player Andrew Nicholson! Great foot work on the post and he can use either hand to get the shot off! That’s huge..He can also spot up and shoot the midrange jumper..You think he will slide all the down to 23? How tall is he 6′10″?
Andrew Nicholson Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L66QmiB0xj4
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
7:34 pm
Capt. Kirk prime was 5 years ago unfortunately..
Buddy Grizzard
May 29th, 2012
7:50 pm
“I guess as a fan, I’m more up on seeing a young player or players develop than having Gasol as a 2 year rental on the downside of his career.”
Good call, SteveW. I think Gasol would keep us mediocre for a couple years but wouldn’t put us over the top. There’s no question he is under-used in L.A. But Josh is so productive he will leave a huge void. Gasol keeps the Hawks about where they are.
I agree, let’s trade Josh for draft picks and start developing for a post-worst-contract-in-NBA-history future. Instead of providing LD with scrubs like Green and Pargo that he will play ahead of Kirk, whom we traded two first rounders to acquire, let’s staff the team with picks. LD came up on the coat tails of Woody, who disdains to play rookies. This would practically force LD to distribute most of his minutes to competent rotation players.
My dream scenario: Sund lets T-Mac, Collins, Green, Pargo, Stack, Rad and Damp walk, trades Josh for multiple draft picks and starts the inevitable rebuilding process early. Next year LD has no choice but to give most of the minutes to Horford, JJ, Teague, Zaza, Ivan and Marvin. Without Rad and T-Mac to cut into Marvin’s minutes, and with Josh and all his bad shots gone, Marvin might even play enough to become a trade-able asset.
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
7:53 pm
Andrew Nicolson measures:
6′9″ 250 lbs.
7′3″ wingspan
10″ Hands [Huge]
Foot work [God Given]
Buddy Grizzard
May 29th, 2012
7:55 pm
Rod from C.P., don’t play dumb, bro. You’ve read this just as well as I have:
http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/05/06/atlanta-hawks-reining-in-rondo/
Instead of playing Pargo and Green a combined 22 MPG, they SHOULD NOT HAVE PLAYED AT ALL. The Hawks were DESTROYED with either player on the floor. Meanwhile, they broke even with Kirk in 5 out of 6 games.
BIG DOG
May 29th, 2012
7:56 pm
50cent now official BIG DOG, he kick Money Man Mayweather A$$
http://youtu.be/mSgR3gqmWNA
BIG DOGS IN THE HOUSE
cp
May 29th, 2012
7:56 pm
@Slim. Its reported that Boston really likes Nicholson. They pick before us so I dont see him falling to the Hawks.
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
8:02 pm
Shoot cp! This dude looks legit!
Allstar in the Eastern Conference? Perhaps…
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
8:04 pm
I’d trade Josh to get this dude! His jumper is not broke!
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
8:05 pm
Rufus1…..I’m with you on Waiters. That kid’s a player. We can’t get him without a pick in the late lottery or just outside the lottery though. ESPN is saying he may even move in to the top 10. I don’t see that happening, but he won’t last long.
cp
May 29th, 2012
8:12 pm
@Slim. I think dude is going to be a steal. He is another one of those guys who will move up the draft once the camps are over with. @Just Joe. They way people are talking about Waiters I wont be surprised to see him move into the lottery.
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
8:21 pm
cp agree, a steal Andrew will be. I can see him in Boston.. It figures…..
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
8:23 pm
If available at #23, who would you take out of this group: Terrence Jones, Jeffery Taylor, Quincy Miller, Royce White, Tony Wroten, Marquis Teague, John Jenkins, Doron Lamb, Fab Melo, or Festus Ezelli.
Sautee
May 29th, 2012
8:30 pm
Just Joe,
Lamb or Jenkins, though Wroten is intriguing. But don’t we need to know Josh’s intentions before we pick? That could certainly change things if he still wants out. Might need to go bigger.
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
8:30 pm
By the way, I think Teague and Wroten will be gone by 23 (always high demand for PG’s). I would not be surprised to see the other 8 guys listed available, including Terrence Jones who I think will drop.
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
8:32 pm
Sautée…..with this group calling the shots, I don’t expect anything to happen with Josh before the draft.
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
8:35 pm
I have fun making up trades, but the odds are in favor of this summer being nothing more than drafting the best SF or C available at 23, grabbing an international prospect at 43, and bringing back a lot of the same veterans we had last year plus summer league players like Butch, Gladyr, and Hazell.
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
8:36 pm
Andrew will be a 22 and 10 guy!
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
Pull the Trigger, trade Josh for picks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
8:40 pm
Just Joe, you seem to have a gift for putting together trade scenarios that make so much sense! Very creative talent dude…
You’d run circles around the Hawks last GM’s for sure! LOL!
What’s your take on Andrew?
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
8:50 pm
I love Andrew Nicholson, but we just have so much depth at PF (barring any trades). When you think about Josh and Al and Marvin and even owning the rights to Ivan, I just don’t know if we’d go PF at 23, even if he’s the best player available. We’re really thin at every other position.
Rod from College Park
May 29th, 2012
8:51 pm
“Instead of playing Pargo and Green a combined 22 MPG, they SHOULD NOT HAVE PLAYED AT ALL. The Hawks were DESTROYED with either player on the floor. Meanwhile, they broke even with Kirk in 5 out of 6 games.”
Why would he not give those guys minutes. They were the guys who made the team better without Jamal remember. LOL
prison mike
May 29th, 2012
9:06 pm
That Nicolson kid might be a David West clone in a good way.
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
9:08 pm
@kwooden
kwooden
May 29th, 2012
3:28 pm
High-sider, Hinrich was under contract and Jamal’s contract ended. The HAWKS owed Hinrich money. Jamal’s contract was over and they didn’t have the money to resign him. (The ASG isn’t going way over the salary cap for anyone) Unless I”m missing something, that’s what happened.
————————————————————-
As I stated in an earlier post, GM Rick Sund should have “moved” or perhaps traded Hinrich for picks immediately after the 2011 postseason in order to “free up money [salary]” for Crawford. Teague showed what he could do in the 2011 EC Semis vs. the Bulls.
DawgNole
May 29th, 2012
9:08 pm
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.
_________________________
NAJEH: This is yet another example of the issue I mentioned to you earlier, when you suggested installing Lazarus Form Recovery.
I just don’t believe that any program the reader can install goes to the heart of this problem, which is faulty filters that repeatedly reject legitimate posts (on ALL AJC blogs)–and not just posts that contain the two buzzwords you cited.
The AJC’s IT dept needs to address this by developing/modifying the filters so they work properly.
Fat chance of that.
BIG DOG
May 29th, 2012
9:10 pm
THUNDERS WILL WIN 2012 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
9:15 pm
@Ray
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.
————————————————————————-
The Celtics had do deal with the following player injuries/absences as well: Ray Allen [ankle], Avery Bradley [shoulder], Paul Pierce [knee] and Rajon Rondo [suspension-behavioral]. Remember, one of LD’s themes/mantras for the season was “No Excuses.”
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
9:23 pm
High-sider….Boston also had Jeff Green, Jermaine O’Neal, and Chris Wilcox out as well. Hawks can’t use injuries as an excuse for losing to the Celtics.
Sautee
May 29th, 2012
9:30 pm
“Hawks can’t use injuries as an excuse for losing to the Celtics.”
Of course not, but that won’t stop Sund and Mikey from trying.
KevinM
May 29th, 2012
9:36 pm
“Ra’mon
May 29th, 2012
6:01 pm
Grandad, I really didn’t watch many of UK’s games, watched more of UNC.”
Ra’mon did you see Davis win the game for UK by blocking Henson’s mid range shot? No one saw that coming.
That one play ought to tell you about the talent of this kid.
I was high on the prospects of Cousins and Kanter, but Davis blows them away. He is the get. I said MJ should he get that pick try to get D12 for Davis if at all possible.
There are only a handful of guys I would trade for to release that #1 pick. I would have to be very close to contending for the title.
Sund’s got 2 4’s and no hand.
Buddy Grizzard
May 29th, 2012
9:38 pm
“Why would he not give those guys minutes. They were the guys who made the team better without Jamal remember. LOL”
Come on dude. Green and Pargo are Jamal Crawford 2.0, streak shooters who can shoot you in or out of a game who can’t guard anybody. The players who made the Hawks back court better in the absence of JC1 was Kirk, a break-even defender who shot better than any reserve wing against the Celtics. Drew should have played Teague, Hinrich, Joe and T-Mac all available minutes at 1 and 2.
Don’t your remember when MC cracked that he thought the idea behind resting the starters during the regular season was so that you could ride them in the post season? Instead, Drew used the same moronic lineups against the Celtics and you see the results. Green and Pargo are Hawks because NOBODY ELSE IN THE NBA WANTED THEM. Drew is the idiot who thought Josh Powell was a better player than Zaza. He probably thinks Willie Green is the next Vinnie Johnson.
WILLIE GREEN MINUS FOURTY, ADD IT UP, MINUS FOURTY AGAINST THE CELTICS.
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
9:41 pm
@SteveW
“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…” – SteveW
Don’t forget about Dan Dickau, Dennis Nutt, Steve Alford, Craig “Noodle” Neal, Jay Burson [undrafted - Ohio St. Univ.], Brooks “Bubba” Jennings [undrafted - TX Tech. Univ.], Jim Les, Kyle Macy, Jon Sundvold, Brent Price, Scott Brooks, Bryce Drew, Jerry Sichting, and others.
On the cool, I liked some of those white dudes as [basketball] players.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 29th, 2012
9:41 pm
“The Celtics’ response was typical of a team that lost Game 1 of a series — a desire to change the aggression level or increase physical play is a common response for a team that wants to shift the momentum in its favor. But this is a bit of an atypical problem for Boston, a team known for its defensive toughness and for punishing opponents with fouls near the basket.”
I don’t think the Hawks would change their aggression level after a game 1 loss.
See the Orlando series of 2010
Cleveland series 2009
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
9:43 pm
@Just Joe
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
9:23 pm
High-sider….Boston also had Jeff Green, Jermaine O’Neal, and Chris Wilcox out as well. Hawks can’t use injuries as an excuse for losing to the Celtics.
————————————————————
Thanks, Just Joe.
cp
May 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
If Quincy Miller can get that explosiveness back he lost after that injury in high school then I think dude is going to be a steal in the early 20’s in the draft. He just didnt have that lift or quickness back last year but it takes time to fully recover from those ACL injuries….If Royce White didnt have those anxiety issues I think he would be getting more love too. Dude can play but his fear of flying and other off the court issues is really hurting his draft status. Im not a big fan of Ezilli’s. Dude had sub par rebounding numbers. Its a few guards in this draft that are better rebounders than him.
O"Brien
May 29th, 2012
9:46 pm
Just Joe,
Horford & Teague to New Orleans for Jarrett Jack (veteran PG on an expiring contract) and their two lottery picks. (saves us about $3M in cap space based on picks being 4th & 10th)..
You do realize LD is in the final year of his contract, right? Why would he want to rely on 2 rookies?
Ra’mon,
I like Marshall too, but I dont trust LD coaching a rookie PG (especially with JJ still here).
O"Brien
May 29th, 2012
9:50 pm
Just Joe,
For the record, when the Hawks resigned Bibby (3 years, $18 mil), I think they should have gone after Jack (who eventually signed for 4 years, $20 mil). Jack was younger, cheaper, and his defense was alittle better than Bibby (imo).
But of course, Rick over valued his own FA, and we end up trading 2 first round picks to get rid of Bibby in the 2nd year of his deal.
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
9:54 pm
@Grandad
Grandad
May 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Is anyone on this board racist ?
High-Sider ?
———————————————————-
I may be racial but I wouldn’t consider myself to be [a] racist. Don’t forget racism was in existence long before High-sider was born. I’m just reacting and responding to racism, racial bias, and/or racial prejudice. I would like to think that I am pro-justice.
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
9:56 pm
@Grandad
“Is anyone on this board racist ?
High-Sider ?” – Grandad
What is your definition of a racist?
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
9:57 pm
O’Brien….LD is the head coach and should coach the players provided to him by management to the best of his ability. If Sund, or whoever, gives him two high profile rookies, then he’ll have to make the best of it, or walk. In the end, LD will do whatever makes the owners happy. What would make the owners more happy than winning a championship, would be to find a marketable superstar.
doc
May 29th, 2012
9:59 pm
glad i dont have the same buy into the braves as i have in the hawks. meanwhile, man i love to watch basketball played the right way as both teams are working hard but got to love the spurs.
how come they can get these guys like leonard, splitter and bonner and they play like all star’s?meanwhile our number two draft pick cant find his way and appears oblivious to it after how many years now?
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
10:02 pm
Nasty dunk by Duncan.
KevinM
May 29th, 2012
10:02 pm
Just Joe, at 23, I’m looking for the guy who can best get his shot off and one that perhaps can play the point in spot minutes.
John Jenkins may be that type of guy, but he had a way of disappearing as well.
I have no interest in another PF whatsoever. Unless he’s Karl Malone, he’s not getting time behind Al and perhaps Ivan.
We have PFs abundantly enough already and the easiest slot to fill on a roster. Everybody’s got one or more.
Go get us a shooter or a PG to solidify the backcourt going forward. Hinrich does not deserve more time here. Let him go back to Chicago.
High-sider
May 29th, 2012
10:07 pm
@Rufus1
“…@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…” – Rufus1
I will admit that he’s [Jamal Crawford] my favorite player right now. I guess you can call me an extremist when I become fixated on a particular issue, idea, concept, principle, person or, in this case, player. Other player favorites have included Mark Price, Chris Mullin, Mahmoud abdul-Rauf [born Chris Jackson], Dale Ellis, Kevin Johnson and others. Blame my extremism on one of my Aries’ traits. [LOL]
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
10:09 pm
“What is your definition of a racist?”
any man or women that belongs to the very secret Masonic lodge..[They are all segregated] [Jim Crow has not been buried yet unfortunately]..
Hey Jesse being a a so called “Rev” wont matter in the long run..
Just Joe
May 29th, 2012
10:16 pm
KevinM…those are the same reasons why I like Dion Waiters. He can play the point, but he’s strong enough to attack the rim. He plays defense and his jump shot is improving.
If the Hawks are looking at shooters like Shved and Gladyr, then a shooter like Jenkins may not be far off from what they’re thinking. Can he defend better than Willie Green?
Slimjr
May 29th, 2012
10:16 pm
A true leader, a genius who created a a legacy of hate and division base on melon count, none other of than the infamous “Albert Pike”. He served his master well….
doc
May 29th, 2012
10:34 pm
boris diaw, another woody casualty. maybe he should have been marvin before marvin, in other words played where he belonged and then marvin forgotten and never considered. no throw after thought into the trade that brings jj because he was a keeper but not a point guard, ever. then didnt we do it again with pape. crazy by definition.