Atlanta Hawks: Hawks said to pursue Josh Smith for Pau Gasol trade
According to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, the Hawks have tired to trade forward Josh Smith for Lakers forward Pau Gasol.
Bresnahan tweeted that no deal is imminent. And a big caveat is that his report says the Hawks first expressed interest in Gasol after Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs by the Thunder, back when Rick Sund was still Hawks GM.
The Hawks have since hired GM Danny Ferry, who says he’s focused on building long term. Gasol turns 32 next week and is owed more than $38 million over the next two seasons.
Also, Bresnahan and ESPN’s Chad Ford reported the Lakers are open to trading Gasol for a high lottery pick and players, a price the Hawks can’t match.
The Rockets, who have been accumulating draft picks, could meet the Lakers’ price. Houston already tried to trade for Gasol as part of the infamous Chris Paul deal that was eventually nixed by NBA commissioner David Stern.
Update: Ford now says the Rockets aren’t pursuing Gasol.
Smith, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, first told the Hawks he wanted to be traded after last season and reiterated that desire prior to this season’s deadline. Smith wants to join a franchise he feels is more committed to winning and play in a market with better fan support.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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588 comments Add your comment
Luke Cage
June 27th, 2012
6:33 pm
At some point a bold move has to be made to move forward, i’ll take the short time failure for the longtime reward
hawksfancents95
June 27th, 2012
6:35 pm
first in response to MC’s post, i do not see us taking on more salary just to shed josh smith. we could get younger cheaper talent or possible lottery draft picks, no need to get an older PF that is not even as good as josh smith for more money? are you kidding me?
second i think i just found a resolution to many of your dreams to get rid of Marvin Williams and it would benefit us and the other team. Marvin to Charlotte for Tyrus Thomas and Charlottes #31 pick. Charlotte wants to get rid of Tyrus Thomas very badly and their salaries are identicle. Charlotte would recieve a UNC tar heel in Marvin and Charlotte would have a pretty good chance at making the playoffs next year with this trade. DJ Augustine Ben Gordon Marvin Williams Thomas Robinson(#2 pick) BJ Mullens with kemba walker gerald henderson bismack biyombo off the bench could make the 8th seed.
we in turn could get jeffery taylor or miles plumlee at #31 and still get whoever at #23 and #43, that would be great going forward securing three roster spots occupied by cheap young role players.
Danny Ferry hire me as an intern
terrell
June 27th, 2012
6:38 pm
Maybe they meant to say Marc Gasol.
Hoops
June 27th, 2012
6:41 pm
I love the fact that getting a new GM has brought life to the Hawks organization and talk of possible trades and ways to improve the team! It’s about time!!!
Make some moves Danny Ferry!!!
hawks21
June 27th, 2012
6:42 pm
I see that Hordford has a strong fan base. Yes, he made the All-Star, but look at his career numbers. Then tell me what everyone is so HIGH on him. He was ever the 1/2 options in college or pro?
hawks21
June 27th, 2012
6:44 pm
I think Josh gets a BAD rap b/c of some missed fouls, and no one on THIS is willing to take the NEXT step! Please be CAREFUL what you are asking for (trade JOSH)!
gregory
June 27th, 2012
6:49 pm
Gasol is a better rebounder, better assist, better field goal percentage, and has the same scoring average. Plus he knows how to win a championship. This is no brainer for Hawks.
Also, I am in Los Angeles and a Laker fan.
Astro Joe
June 27th, 2012
6:50 pm
So they called right after the playoffs, huh? I wonder if it was the technical foul from the scorer’s table, the lazy inbounds pass that Rondo stole, the poor decision to break off the designed play in game 6, the bad shot after busting the play or his decision not to meet with Sund 3 weeks after the season ended?
High-sider
June 27th, 2012
6:51 pm
@Sautee
“…What evidence do you have to make such an accusation?
I think you have an anti-white agenda. Like you, I’m calling it like I see it. That’s what it looks like from here, FYI. Perhaps that’s not your intention, but that’s certainly how you come across.” – Sautee
Sautee, I don’t have an “anti-white” agenda but you could say I would like to have an “anti-white supremacy” agenda. I have a pro-(Atlanta) Hawks agenda. I would like to see the Hawks (franchise) keep Josh Smith and add someone to the front office or coaching staff whose (positive) message(s) and instruction(s) will resonate with Josh Smith and dissuade him from taking bad shots, unnecessarily dominating the basketball, playing to his weakness and playing the “wrong way.” I still feel Jamal Crawford was a better fit for the Hawks than Kirk Hinrich is/was.
hawksfancents95
June 27th, 2012
6:52 pm
idk if mentioned yet but
HOU trades #14 and Samuel Dalembert to MIL for #12 Jon Leur Jon Brockman and Shaun Livingston
New hawk blood
June 27th, 2012
6:52 pm
Heck Paus had it keep Josh and get Paus brother Marc,If we just had a good young bigman!
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
6:55 pm
High-sider,
I’ll ask this again:
“GM Ferry will move a good player with some attitude issues like Josh Smith but will look to keep an overrated, mediocre player like Kirk Hinrich.” – High-sider
What evidence do you have to make such an accusation?
Luke Cage
June 27th, 2012
6:59 pm
hawksfancents95
I cosign and would do that move in a heartbeat
Mike Fratellos Evil Twin
June 27th, 2012
7:00 pm
Why is it dat Atlanta Fans gotta suffer, cause white management can’t handle a black man with an attitude! FREE JOSH SMITH! FREE JOSH SMITH! FREE JOSH SMITH! Or fire the Uncle Tom that can’t coach an empowered brother.
Drew couldn’t handle Ivan…Take your ball and go home.
Drew couldn’t handle McGrady…You know too much so hit the bench!
Danny please free us all from the bondage of short sighted white folk!
It ain’t as bad as the Dominique Trade…..but it’s about to be!!!!!!!!
Luke Cage
June 27th, 2012
7:03 pm
hawks21
Horford is not the one thats demanding to be traded, Al actually wants to be here. Thats why scenerios involving Josh are being kicked around.
Mike Fratellos Evil Twin
June 27th, 2012
7:03 pm
JOSH NEEDS ATLANTA TO DRAFT A REAL COACH!
Slimjr
June 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
it would be a terrible move…
Two Mister Softies protecting the rim? Huh?
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
7:07 pm
“Why is it dat Atlanta Fans gotta suffer, cause white management can’t handle a black man with an attitude!”
LOL, that’s freakin’ funny. Josh Smith is allowed to play as undisciplined as he wishes, but after JOSH says trade me, now it’s the white management holding him down?
He’s allowed to play however he wants, but that somehow translates to “can’t handle him”?
LMFAO
Ray
June 27th, 2012
7:08 pm
NOOOOOOOO!
Why trade Josh for Gasol do you people not get it and it makes it so much worse that a lot of people apparently don’t understand GASOL IS A POWER FORWARD HE WILL NOT PLAY CENTER. Even if he did he’d be pushed around by da*n near every C in the league.
Plus Josh Smith at Age 26 is miles better than Gasol right now once Gasol get’s here it will be Jon Konack part 2 believe you me, and then we’ll be the laughing stock all over again.
Josh Smith #23 for Tyreke Evans and #5 also doesn’t work why?
Tyreke already taking about if he’s moved he’s playing SG guess what we still got the SG he’s not playing second fiddle to Joe Johnson either. No don’t give me that Joe can move to SF BS either it didn’t work Joe is not a SF.
The only thing I’d agree too is Marvin Williams trade if at all he’s the #1 top priority that need to GTFO of ATL. #2 GET CREATIVE AND FIND A DEAL FOR JOE JOHNSON That can work.
Josh can’t be replace Joe can.
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
7:08 pm
O’Brien, I would trade Josh or Al to Charlotte to get Beal. But I know Charlotte only does that deal with Al because they know Josh would leave. But yes I would do that deal so quickly. Beal is one of the best athlete in basketball since to hit the draft since Wade at that size. I look at it as we would be playing this next season with the exact same reason except for with Beal, and Joe at the 3. Because we just played an entire season with out Al, and didn’t lose play off position.
By the way, Gasol can be traded for Josh or Al straight up without Marvin because LAL has the trade exception for $9 Million they got from Dallas for Odum. (I may be wrong)
Ray
June 27th, 2012
7:09 pm
Also stop being racist or stereotyping it honestly makes all races look bad.
terrell
June 27th, 2012
7:11 pm
Lmao @ fools giving up their season tickets if Smoove is traded. Wtf? U mean to tell me you paid your hard earned $ for a guy who’s not even an all-star? I like Josh(sometimes) too, but I’m not giving up my tickets if he’s moved. Hell to the naw. Its not like we’re trading Lebron or Durant. I Guess youd just rather go thru another mediocre season and lose him for nothing. lol
Mike Fratellos Evil Twin
June 27th, 2012
7:12 pm
No JOSH SMITH! It’s off to the races! Slam Bam Thank you Mam! PLease tell Larry Drew to get out from under the bus!
terrell
June 27th, 2012
7:13 pm
Not knocking Josh, but NOONE should be untouchable. ESPECIALLY IF THEY DONT WANT TO BE HERE.
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
7:14 pm
Terrell, Smoove wasn’t an all star, but he is the best player on the team today, and was all season.
Mike Fratellos Evil Twin
June 27th, 2012
7:15 pm
Nobody defends the block like JOSH! (No racial stereotyping intended)
tjhook
June 27th, 2012
7:16 pm
LMAO at my boy MIKEY FRATELLO!!
Barton
June 27th, 2012
7:16 pm
Well I skimmed most of the posts… just thought I’d throw my no into the mix as well
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
7:17 pm
I’m telling you guys, Josh no longer wants to be traded with the hiring of D. Ferry.
terrell
June 27th, 2012
7:18 pm
I’m just suprised that everyone didnt see this day coming. They gave Joe MAX $(smh), resigned sorry Marvin(laugable), and old a.. Bibby(too many years) remember???
Grandad
June 27th, 2012
7:19 pm
Sautee
High-Sider does not need evidence.
All he has is racially charged biased opinion.
He and whomever he refers to;
are the only folks ever to be hurt, sad, unjustly accused, tormented,
raped, murdered, pillaged, put upon, born poor, done without,
gone hungry, been fatherless, gone through divorce, jobless, or grief stricken.
Also his coterie of preference while suffering in misery;
simultaneously are the worlds best athletes who generate and earn
pus spend $millions upon $millions of $dollars.
Although they are not compensated fairly;
and should receive reparations on top of said $millions to assuage
their misery even further.
____________________________________________
editors note:
All sarcasm intended directly at H-S and no one else.
” Where irony meets ebony ”
G-dad … the lame-ass humorist v H-S
random
June 27th, 2012
7:19 pm
I dont think some of u realize that in the 2 times that L.A. won championships, Pau played center most of the time b/c bynum stayed hurt. You might can say hes soft but being a 7 footer with lenth can pretty much defend the rim.
tjhook
June 27th, 2012
7:20 pm
Clean your colon about Mike Fratello’s comment. He’s just saying Josh just needed somebody to call him out on his bad on-court habits. Drew just hasn’t stepped to Josh (or ISO JOE) and told em to stop trying to be a hero on their own. Follow the Boston Celtics motto because that’s team play. Everybody’s accountable.
KevinM
June 27th, 2012
7:20 pm
“second i think i just found a resolution to many of your dreams to get rid of Marvin Williams and it would benefit us and the other team. Marvin to Charlotte for Tyrus Thomas and Charlottes #31 pick. Charlotte wants to get rid of Tyrus Thomas very badly and their salaries are identicle.”
Thomas has one extra year than what Marvin brings…..I’m can’t see bringing Thomas in to sit behind Al and Josh.
We might as well buy out Marvin, but the ASG won’t do it. That is the key to going forward. At least Joe still plays at a high level.
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
7:20 pm
However, as a fan of Josh Smith, I would LOVE to see the Hawks be crazy enough to trade Josh to the Lakers for P. Gasol. Kobe, Bynum, and Josh would be very fun to watch. LAL probably would require that the Hawks include Teague and Zaza not Marvin. And if the Lakers make that deal, watch for them to make a play for Nash or Miller to run point.
Grandad
June 27th, 2012
7:21 pm
* Plus not pus … !
I hate typos.
KevinM
June 27th, 2012
7:21 pm
Josh will want more than Al at the end of the year, and there is no way we compete with another team who will overpay.
We got to get something for him now….a change in the captaincy.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 27th, 2012
7:22 pm
Break-even trade in the short term, bad trade in the long term.
random
June 27th, 2012
7:23 pm
heck to think some of u wanted sammy, all that guy is is defense and hes sorta like stephen jackson plays when he wants to. Oh so yea you guys forgot how soft collins is, but yet hes known as the dwight stopper? lmao ppl be forreal
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
7:27 pm
Here’s a question for EVERYONE. Your team gets called soft and its stated you’re a bunch of nice guys. Is P. Gasol the first player you go and acquire to change that perception?
Grandad
June 27th, 2012
7:28 pm
Pau Gasol is a better Basketball Player than Josh !
Period.
If not for the age difference the trade could not even be considered.
Josh possibly leaving – makes it plausible.
Pau Gasol is an elite player.
Najeh and I disagree … acknowledged Naj.
Pau Gasol will help the Hawks win games now, moreso than Josh !
Yawl do not understand the respect PG has around the League.
No – not a SuperStar.
Neither is Josh.
Gasol imminently more skilled.
Josh twice the athlete.
Final Point = regardless / I trust Mr Ferry !
random
June 27th, 2012
7:32 pm
I agree with u gdad idk why people thinking its gonna make the hawks worst, if gasol were to come we would have 2 great midrange shooting big men. An most of the time last season josh took mid range jumpers anyways. An at least we would have a pg pushing the ball.
Ray
June 27th, 2012
7:33 pm
@ Random
Like I said a blog ago we got Sammy on the Team his name is Zaza Pachilua(probably misspelled that)
@ Najeh
Ya damn right it’s a bad trade long-term.
Btw even if Pau did play Center in LA he won’t do it here unless we’re serious about going for a championship.
Does a lineup of Teague, Joe, Marvin, Horford, Pau Scream serious at you?
vs.
Say the Thunder’s lineup
Mike Fratellos Evil Twin
June 27th, 2012
7:35 pm
On a serious note people….This management group from the roach to the coach has demonstrated an abiding fear of CONFLICT! The most conflictive guy the organization had is now coaching in New York. Not exactly falling on his face or his sword either!
Its all about Basketball IQ! I am convinced that Larry Drew was the safe hire. God forbid a black man with an attitude in the deep south! We need us a cultured black man. Dewayne Causey was a better coach with better credentials!
Billy Knight went out like a buster! Enter Rick Sund! For my part….for the budget he was allotted, Sund did a remarkable job! Vlad Man, MCGrady, Pargo. Great bench! I paid more for a Colombian hooker than ASG paid for their bench
We still won. This team needs a tweak not invasive surgery. ASG thinks they are cutting out the cancer by dealing JOSH! They may be cutting out their Heart! For the Record…..when Zaza and Smith play the block its like tumbling Legos in the lane.
Al Horford will be back to give us one of the quickest front lines in the NBA!
Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!!!!!!!!!!!
Hire a mentor and make him grow up!
Ray
June 27th, 2012
7:35 pm
@ Ra’mon
Not me I’m going for someone like Perkins or David West even a Posey type player.
When the national media called us out for being Nice guys this is what we come up with a trade for Pau Gasol entering probably his declining stage of his career for all we know.
Yet someone who hasn’t gotten to his we’re about to trade away and watch him win championships more than likely.
Ray
June 27th, 2012
7:39 pm
@ Mike
I liked that previous post you had.
4 players we are better off with Teague, Josh, Horford, and Zaza the other two can be dumped.
Losing Josh or Horford would be the Heart and Soul or the team.
tjhook
June 27th, 2012
7:39 pm
Mike Fratelo – Preach! Or as Magic Don Juan would say, “Church!!
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
7:42 pm
G’D, Gasol disappears more in games than Josh ever does. You say PG is respected around the league. Jason Kidd is respected around the league, but I wouldn’t trade Teague for him. Josh is half the cost of Gasol. And Gasol has disappeared in the playoffs for two seasons in a row. Josh as the best player on his team took his team to the playoffs. Gasol as the best player on his team, never even won a playoff game. That’s the end of the debate. Gasol can guard one position, and that’s PF. Josh can guard 3 positions for extended period of times, and all 5 positions for possessions. Josh in the Lakers organization would be more productive than Gasol. And did I mention he costs way more than Josh?
TMACfan
June 27th, 2012
7:46 pm
Trade Josh to LA, he will have the Kobe Dog Leash there.
Hope he gets used to it.
TMACfan
June 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
Seriously what he deserves for repeatedly calling out a fan base.