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
FreshmakerGT
June 27th, 2012
10:12 pm
Argh…we never should’ve traded Gasol away in the first place! But yeah getting him now at the cost of Josh would be dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb. Maybe the Lakers will take Duck instead?
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:13 pm
Pau would have no shot in hell at the hall with the Hawks unless he played with a superstar like Kobe here. Pau in Memphis didn’t even win a playoff game. Ray, stfu. This is stupid. Playing with guys like Kobe, Lebron and Rose is a lot better than Joe Johnson as your #1 or yourself as a #1.
Sugar Ray
June 27th, 2012
10:14 pm
Look at you getting all upset now. Hahaha!
Jumpshot Josh!
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:15 pm
@Ray
Trollin me son?
Astro Joe
June 27th, 2012
10:16 pm
Sugar Ray, that pool hall line had me LMAO.
random
June 27th, 2012
10:16 pm
Air Zaza you clearly know nothing about the nba and yet i find it hard to believe someone like you calling me stupid? Its very hard for me to be offended by your comments.
Slimjr
June 27th, 2012
10:18 pm
Danny saves the Day! LOL!
Sund kick rocks yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gasol is not coming to Atlanta…Whew………..
Just Joe
June 27th, 2012
10:18 pm
I think this is old news and is a post-draft move anyway, which means Josh may not even be around by then. What will Houston offer???
Slimjr
June 27th, 2012
10:20 pm
two escorts to the rim? No thanks…..
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:21 pm
random, isn’t it your bedtime? I know your parents do not let you stay up past 10PM.
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
10:21 pm
To be real, Pau’s shot at the HOF is based mostly on his International credentials, and not his NBA days, though the Championships will certainly help.
And I believe that Sugar Ray likened him to a “modern day Kevin McHale”, and NOT that Pau was “better than McHale”. Which he certainly is NOT.
I still want someone to tell me which player we could trade Josh for, who would be better than Gasol.
Still waiting.
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:24 pm
Top 3 to 5 pick
A lot of mid 1st Draft picks
Tyson Chandler
Joakim Noah
Melo
Package for Dwight Howard
Andrew Bynum
John Wall
Package for Ricky Rubio
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:25 pm
He’s not a modern day McHale.
Al Jefferson
Kevin Love
Z-Bo would all be better choices for that.
Pau Gasol is Pau Gasol
An all around big with no weaknesses skill wise.
random
June 27th, 2012
10:33 pm
air zaza you still raging mad? im not a kid either notice im not using profanity of no such unlike you. An if i were a kid just think you would be arguing with a kid, how mature does that make you. lol
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
O’B, I’m still not against letting Josh walk after next season. A team isn’t going to the Finals with Joe or Al as their second best player, or with Josh as their best player. So I couldn’t care less if the Hawks woke up with Josh and Al off the roster with Joe amnestied. Ferry is great at evaluating draft picks. If I’m a new GM with a 6 year deal, I’m open to rebuilding the ENTIRE roster if necessary.
If we are honest, over the last 2 seasons, since signing his deal, Al has not produced enough in comparison to his numbers. His numbers haven’t been that much better than Okafor or even Camby’s (when healthy). Paying $12 Million for 14 and 10 isn’t necessarily a great deal. Its decent value, but we can’t say he’s been the player we all envisioned after his first two seasons in the league.
SuckerFree
June 27th, 2012
10:36 pm
LeBron James is 27…shoots (settles for) long jumpers when he should take it to the rim and then overnight…..he realized his worth and proceeded to dominate from the area he is most effective.
I know LBJ is the MVP and best player on Earth. I know this. But Josh Smith is a top 20 player (15 is arguable but 20 definitely) and last year we saw flashes of maturity.
With a player of Josh’ talent level you have to live with the bad. You just live with it.
Yes he takes 1 too many jumpers when he’s playing great. That’s the same way Rondo will get thrown out of a playoff game, or Lebron will launch airballs at the end of games or Westbrook will take 30 shots to Durants 19, or Wade will jog back on defense after a no call.
Deal with it because when he’s gone we will miss him. If you think Pau Gasol will come here and average 20 and 10 you are high
Ra'mon
June 27th, 2012
10:39 pm
O’B, I’m saying you look at the Hawks big three, and Josh is the only player (IMO) who still will improve.
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:40 pm
@Ramon
Al is much much better than Okafor. Al is probably one of the most gifted players in the NBA. We just do not have the personnel to use him correctly.
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:41 pm
I think Al and Josh are still improving.
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
10:41 pm
To me, the only name on the list that the GM would listen without giggling is Noah. You overrate Josh to a huge degree. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve said repeatedly that I wish he’d stay, but it’s useless to throw out names of players who have multiple All-Star selections (Melo) as if Josh is their peer. Gimme a freakin’ break.
And NO ONE is giving us a top 3 to 5 pick for Josh, not knowing if he’d be a rental. Dream on. This isn’t a fantasy league. And Josh alone is not a good enough draw for a team to take a chance.
And did Chandler and Noah make All-NBA three straight years? I didn’t think so.
Tell me the packages you envision for Rubio and for D12.
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:42 pm
Josh isn’t a rental player. He’s not Deron or Dwight. Teams don’t clear cap just to sign Josh Smith. If anything, he would sign an extension. He would sign one here if we offered.
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:43 pm
@Sautee,
You severely undervalue Josh Smith. As far as I am concerned, we agree to disagree.
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:44 pm
Josh had better overall numbers last year than everyone of the guys I listed outside of Bynum.
Air Zaza
June 27th, 2012
10:45 pm
and Dwight
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
10:47 pm
Air Zaza,
The “modern day McHale” comment was Sugar Ray’s, so I’ll let him defend that.
To me there is no player in the league that I would compare to McHale. He had a rare blend of amazing footwork, skill, AND craftiness around the rim. The only other player I can think of with that combo was Olajuwon.
random
June 27th, 2012
10:48 pm
Its not about the numbers its about what fits best for the team
KevinM
June 27th, 2012
10:48 pm
“Astro Joe
June 27th, 2012
10:05 pm
Lakers want a better deal. LOL. Kupchak is looking for a top 10 pick”
AJ, I say the Lakers want MKG, and they are trying to get to 5 to get him. I think it was you who said that Joe doesn’t make sense there because of the shots he takes away from Kobe….you’re right about that.
MKG fits on a lot of teams…teams that have enough offense. I would like him here, but I don’t trust Al/Joe/Josh for another year. It may have to go that route, but Josh won’t be coming back, mainly because someone else will have to pay him and Ferry won’t do it.
One more Josh note: I remember him coming up and comparisons to Kirilenko, a guy who could do a lot of things. Well, you see where Kirilenko is today, not exactly being fawned over by the league.
I’m not sure Josh’s value will get any higher than it is today.
Now is the time to go get pick #5 and get us a guy we can develop alongside Joe, Al, & Teague.
So, in looking at 5, which Sac def wants to get rid of, you gotta take that shot, and they are looking for a PG if Lowry has been as rumored to them as he has. I believe they would love to snatch Josh and put him next to Cousins. Get that 5 pick, take the best of what’s after the first 4, and then use 23 to fill a bench role.
No need to take Tyreke if we don’t have to either…..we need to take away some salary first. Keep it simple…Josh for the 5 straight up, then take a shot at Nash. Then Teague can be moved if needed and fill another role.
Will it take 10M/year to get Nash? I think so.
Nash / Joe / new starter / Al / Zaza
2 draft picks
Still can’t find a sensible deal for Marvin….he has amnesty written all over him.
High-sider
June 27th, 2012
10:51 pm
“from espn.com;
The Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics are all actively pursuing a trade for Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford, according to a report by Comcast SportsNet Northwest…” – O’Brien @9:38pm dated 6/27/2012
And some of you (bloggers) said Jamal Crawford was a “washed-up has-been” whose best days were behind him (Crawford) but, yet, he is being aggressively pursued for his services by two EC playoff teams – one (team) made the 2012 ECF (Celtics) and the other (team) made the 2012 EC Semifinals (76ers). GM Danny Ferry, what are you doing?
O’Brien, thanks for the update (on Jamal Crawford).
KevinM
June 27th, 2012
10:51 pm
DAldridge has us taking Melo with the 23rd pick. Can’t we do better than a project?
Get me a shooter at 23.
Hey Slim, DA has Nicholson heading to OKC at 28……can he beat out Cole Aldrich?
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
10:52 pm
“Josh isn’t a rental player. He’s not Deron or Dwight. Teams don’t clear cap just to sign Josh Smith. If anything, he would sign an extension. He would sign one here if we offered.”
OK, so you are saying that, say Sacramento traded us the #5 pick for Josh, that he would stay there and sign an extension rather than bolt to Brooklyn to play with Dwight? Seriously?
falCans
June 27th, 2012
10:56 pm
DUMBEST TRADE EVER!!! GASOLFOR HORFORD WOULD BE BETTER BECAUSE YOUR TRADIN ONE SOFT FOR ANOTHER SOFT. JOSH SCORES REBOUNDS PASSES AND BLOCKS. GASOL CANT MATCH SMOOVES PRODUCTION ND COSTS TWICE AS MUCH. FERRY TOO SMART FPR THAT
random
June 27th, 2012
10:56 pm
Sautee that air zaza guy doesn’t know nothing man, hes making himself look like a fool plain and simple.
SuckerFree
June 27th, 2012
10:56 pm
@Sautee
YOu know and I know that Josh Smith has been snubbed 3 straight years on the all star game. They elected to put Roy Friggin Hibbert in over Josh Smith this year and that was just a collosal crime. Every year ESPN has him on the snub list but no shoew
Other players know that Josh Smith is the real deal and not only is he the real deal he is one of the most difficult matchups in the NBA and easily one of the most unique players. Josh Smith is a beast
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
10:57 pm
High-Sider,
about this: “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 are you basing this accusation on?
Big Cat
June 27th, 2012
11:04 pm
Didn’t Gasol play for the Hawks years ago before he was traded to Memphis? Once is enough. We don’t need him back!
Sautee
June 27th, 2012
11:04 pm
SuckerFree,
“YOu know and I know that Josh Smith has been snubbed 3 straight years on the all star game. They elected to put Roy Friggin Hibbert in over Josh Smith this year and that was just a collosal crime. Every year ESPN has him on the snub list but no shoew”
NO doubt Josh got snubbed. No doubt at all. But it wasn’t Hibbert, who is a center, and the coaches (who vote on the players other than starters) had to vote for a center to fill out the roster.
Rondo, who Stern named, was probably who knocked Josh out, if he didn’t knock himself out with the Nothing But Associates quip. But he certainly deserved to be there, for the last couple of years.
Slimjr
June 27th, 2012
11:06 pm
KevinM, gosh I hope DA IS TOTALLY OFF ON THE Hawks pick? I too don’t want another Big Stiff that gets cut before the season begins…Wow!!!
O'Brien
June 27th, 2012
11:09 pm
Slimjr,
Bosh could average 25-28 pts. a night with his offensive skills if he were the #1 or #2 option.. He’s [holding back] to [fit in] with Miami’s schemes…..
In Toronto, Bosh did have good numbers. But in 7 seasons in Toronto, he only led his team to the playoffs twice. And both times, he lost in the first round.
So if Pau Gasol deserves some heat for never leading his team past the first round, then Bosh deserves some heat as well (and Gasol led his team (Memphis) to the playoffs more often than Bosh, not to mention Gasol was playing in the tougher West).
Wabe,
You do realize that Josh is a free agent after this season, and can walk away, right…which means we would lose him for nothing. And then what?
doc
June 27th, 2012
11:13 pm
Could not post thru iPhone but suggested I might take pau for josh and Marvin if I got Matt Barnes too and maybe a draft pick from the lakers. I’d do almost anything to move Marvin for a change of scenery …. mine.
Glad some folks have projected the point guard you like will be available when we pick and we grab him.
Will head down to phillips tomorrrow to check out the scene and the new restaurant.
Contractor
June 27th, 2012
11:16 pm
I don’t know a ton about basketball, but could we not ship Joe Johnson’s butt off and keep Josh Smith? Smith has way more upside and ability than Joe Johnson in my eyes. I was baffled with that HUGE contract. Could have gotten any other player in the league for that much and done away with Joe Johnson’s over the hill butt.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 27th, 2012
11:20 pm
“Do you play the year with Josh and hope he can be convinced to re-sign, and risk losing him for nothing?
If we lose him for nothing, fans will kill the ASG, and the Hawks will take a step back.
If you try and trade him at the trade deadline, you will not get much for him, because the team that trades for him will only have him for half a season, and maybe the playoffs.”
I’d rather go all out this season and lose him for nothing next summer than add three years and nearly $60 million worth of a player who is going to keep this team mired in the exact same place they currently are.
I would hope, though, that Ferry realizes that this core can’t go anywhere and starts blowing it up this summer, before the season starts. Like I have said before, any breakup of this core has to start with Joe and Marvin. In addition to them, if Josh is to be traded, it may be better to trade him this summer, but I think they can get high picks for him at the trade deadline too. Trading him at the deadline only makes it harder to get established players, who I don’t really want anyway if they are signed long-term and/or are old.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 27th, 2012
11:25 pm
“You must have missed those championships Pau was leading the Lakers to when Kobe was stinkin’ up the joint. ”
The dangers of forming opinions based on stats, encapsulated in one sentence.
Gasol won zero playoff games as the best player on his team in Memphis. Not series, games. Even Josh managed to win two playoff games this year as the best player on his team.
Seriously, you just said Gasol was more important to that team than Kobe. This boggles the mind.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 27th, 2012
11:26 pm
I have no problem with saying Gasol is better than Josh. My objection to a Josh for Gasol trade isn’t about how good those players are in a vacuum. But wow, saying he led the Lakers to championships? Bath salts are not good for you, dude.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 27th, 2012
11:32 pm
Also, while we are comparing Josh and Gasol, defense matters. Josh has been a top 10 defensive player in the league for several years now. Gasol has never been close to that level.
SteveW
June 27th, 2012
11:36 pm
Josh and Marvin for Pau – The numbers:
2013/14 contracts:
JJ – 22 mill (approx.)
Pau – 19.3 mill
Al – 12 mill
That’s 53.3 mill for 3 players. And you have Teague and ZaZa as Free Agents. Throw this years 1st pick, and maybe Ivan, your looking at 67 mill + for 7 players.
I don’t think that’s happening.
SteveW
June 27th, 2012
11:36 pm
Assuming Teague and ZaZa sign for somewhere around 6 million per year.
@thesportsgoons
June 27th, 2012
11:38 pm
The Hawks Need Josh Smith…..
SteveW
June 27th, 2012
11:43 pm
The Rockets still say that if they don’t acquire Dwight, they go after Rudy Gay or Josh Smith according to Hoopshype.
Lowry, KMart, and a pick Josh and Marvin? Hmm, a backcourt of Lowry/Teague and JJ/KMart is tempting, with JJ playing some 3 also. Depends on the pick maybe.
Start:
ZaZa
Al
JJ
KMart
Lowry
With Teague, Ivan and 2 1st picks coming off the bench – good salary situation going forward also, with KMart coming off the books after next season, and Lowry cheap.
Hmmm again – I’d really have to think about that one. Maybe trade KMart for something else…
SteveW
June 27th, 2012
11:48 pm
About the only way I see us keeping Josh is getting rid of JJ and Marvin. At least Marvin.
Boston the bastion of Defense, wants Jamal. Interesting. Why would a culture of D want an atrocious defender? Sarcasm is dripping. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Nash can’t defend either, is 38, and folks are saying he’s going to get 10 mill per year.
Maybe you can hide Guards with defensive liabilities sometimes.
And you have got to put the ball through the hoop in a halfcourt game sometime!!!
SteveW
June 27th, 2012
11:55 pm
I’m not sure what Orlando wants for Dwight – But Lowry, Scola, Kmart and 3 1st picks is a massive amount.
Orlando would have 4 1st picks , 12, 16, 18, and 19 this season. What else are they going to get for Dwight?
And if you can’t get superstars, you better be really good 2 deep at each position to even have a chance at winning anything. Still probably won’t get you there