Poll time: What would you think of Smith-for-Bynum deal?
Andrew Bynum has some baggage but he would give Hawks a legitimate center. (AP photo)
The other day I wrote that it might be time for the Hawks to part ways with Josh Smith– not just because he’s the most likely trade candidate in their core, but because it’s becoming clear that he’s getting tired of being blamed for everything when something goes wrong.
The Smith-bashers in town favored the column. The Smith fans hated it, some taking it as another media assault on Smith. Fact is, as I wrote, I agree with Smith that he takes more blame for the team’s shortcoming than he deserves.
Loading ...But that column sparked immediate trade rumors, including this one: Smith and Kirk Hinrich to Los Angeles Lakers for Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest. Barring other moves, that would leave the Hawks with a starting five of Bynum (center), Ron Artest (small forward), Al Horford (power forward), Joe Johnson (shooting guard) and Jeff Teague (point guard).
That trade is nowhere close to reality right now — it was concocted by media members for the sake of discussion, and because it seems plausible. The Lakers could be looking to move Bynum after his postseason meltdown, and they also may pursue a deal for Orlando’s Dwight Howard, which would make Bynum expendable. (One outlet, Hoopsworld, also is speculating whether the Clippers will pursue Smith.)
Bynum obviously has had his issues. But he would give the Hawks their first legitimate center in years and allow Horford to move to his more natural position of power forward. If the way Teague played against Chicago in the playoffs was not an aberration, suddenly the Hawks could be set at point guard and center, and when is the last time we could say that?
So I’m not saying this trade is going to happen. But since there seems to be so much interest in this topic, I figured I’d turn it over to you. What would you think about a Smith-Hinrich for Bynum-Artest deal? We’ll also put up a poll and see how the voting goes.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Earlier: Cowardly Bettman ignoring evidence of Thrashers fans
Earlier: Countdown: Bettman, Spirit on Facebook, angry beaver, Monta’s tattoo
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435 comments Add your comment
Air Zaza
May 25th, 2011
2:02 pm
Chris Paul is our only hope. I was on a Hawks blog site and read this.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3h6jg4l
That would make us legit title contenders and it’s possible if New Orleans wants to trade Paul.
Mr. Perfect
May 25th, 2011
2:03 pm
Starting Lineup:
PG Teague
SG Hinrich
SF Johnson
PF Horford
C Bynum
6th Man Jr Smith( wants to be in another place)
Role Zaza
Bench Wilkins( Good Defender)
Bench Collins
Role Williams (Rebounder) but sucks offensively
3ptmess
May 25th, 2011
2:04 pm
Bring Billy Knight (special assistant to GM) back to trade Johnson, Williams & Hinrich to Cleveland or some other disparate franchise for whatever they are willing to offer that the NBA will allow. Go after Howard. Hire a coach that will create an offense that does not leave Smith in 3 point land. Woody had the right idea but no support from ASG. Maybe the GA, Fulton County and City of Atlanta could buy the Hawks, then a hire management company to run the organization with the intent to be profitable within 3 to 5 years.
Kariqua
May 25th, 2011
2:09 pm
Lets keep it real folks. The Hawks screwed up when they resigned JJ for the max. JJ is making more money than Wade, Bosh, and Lebron.Go figure!! Joe cant even get his own shot. You can not build a team around JJ . The only way the Lakers will trade Bynum is for Howard and future considerations. You can not build a team around JJ
Air Zaza
May 25th, 2011
2:10 pm
No one is going to give you an expiring for Joe Johnson or Marvin. I think I only bet is through trade.
Andy Hawk
May 25th, 2011
2:10 pm
Who thinks up these idiotic Q’s. wish I had a job like that,whew…
Swaga1
May 25th, 2011
2:11 pm
I definitely don’t like this trade….back to the drawing board. I can’t believe that anyone would even think about trading for Ron Artest and Byum. I say keep Josh Smith and Trade Joe Johnson and draft picks, hell even throw in Daffy Duck Marvin as icing for Chris Paul or Dwight Howard. We have enough trash of our own with Marvin and Joe we don’t need take someone else’. How about a new head coach before you trade Josh Smith for punks like Artest and Bynum. Smith is way better than both like i say get rid of the dead weight in Marvin and Joe we need to get better not be stuck with the status quo. I will promis you Phillips arena will be like a ghost town if you trade for these guys.
Phucker Jenkins
May 25th, 2011
2:13 pm
Do it already!!!!! Josh is a locker room cancer and it’s obvious everyone except the fans are afraid to tell him to stop shooting 3’s!!!!
AGTFan53
May 25th, 2011
2:15 pm
This sounds like a bad joke without a punchline. Can we trade all the Smith bashers for real fans instead?
CharlieCriss
May 25th, 2011
2:19 pm
Dont trade for Bynum! Bynum is third part of the Lakers gang of thugs. Artest, Odum and Bynum are the lakers gang of bandits and thugs and they are also SORE LOSERS. First is was Artest who collared Berrea. Then after Artest got suspended, Bynum and Odum continued Artests thuggery when Odem clobbered Dirk Norwinski with a forearm to the shoulder and then Bynum did the same thing to Berrea. These 3 thugs should be part of street gangs instead of masquerading as lakers.
Flames, Knights, and Thrashers Fan.....Sigh!
May 25th, 2011
2:23 pm
Um, NO THANKS! Yes, Josh can be a head case and takes TOO many bad shots, but Bynum is damaged goods and a DIRTY player (just ask Barea) and no need to even discuss the Artest baggage cart. Keep what we have unless we can get a GOOD deal for Mr. Smith. Do not want to see Bynum or Artest in Hawks uniforms….EVER!
trade now
May 25th, 2011
2:25 pm
Make this trade, ASAP! The hawks need big time talent—the mediocre players they have now will not win anything.
Jeff
May 25th, 2011
2:29 pm
It is amazing to me how many people in ATL have zero basketball sense. J Smoove is immature sure, but he is also one of the top 3 defenders / rebounders / jumpers in the league. Ron Artest’s game has been garbage for the last 4 years now. Bynum gets hurt every year because the human body should not be 7′1″. While I agree Smoove will be traded as it is obvious we will be the 4th best team in the east for the next 5 years, the people who think Smoove had no impact on this team is clueless. He leaves a bad taste in your mouth because of his sour attitude, but in the end, you cannot deny he effects a basketball game from all sides, and really how many players can you say that about in the league? The fact that he shoots jump shots is the fault of the Coach. You have a game plan, if a player does not follow it, you sit him down, until he learns.
We could do a lot worse than J-Smoove folks.
Jeff
May 25th, 2011
2:32 pm
Also newsflash – there is a salary cap in the NBA, which means Joe Johnson will not be TRADED EVER
Ted Striker
May 25th, 2011
2:37 pm
I’d pull the trigger on this trade if it were feasible.
Ken Strickland
May 25th, 2011
2:37 pm
There’s no way I’d even give thought to trading anyone to the Lakers for a 7′ injury prone punk like Bynum. And what idiot suggested we add Artest? I’d insist on MBarnes over Artest any day. The most logical trade suggestion would involve talking with the Clippers.
Anthony
May 25th, 2011
2:39 pm
Although I think Joe would thrive on a team with a better offensive game plan.If Cleveland wants Joe Johnson for the 4th pick in the draft. That deal should have been done yesterday. I’m still upset about the Hawks signing him for a max contract. I understood why the Hawks gave Koncak, but not Joe Johnson.
Trent
May 25th, 2011
2:44 pm
Heck no!!!!! What does Bynum bring to the table? His dirty play does not need to come to Atlanta, Plus he is not healthy enough to play a full season. Sports Lady, Are you looking at the same games as we are? Josh think he is a all around player..ie shooting 3’s, long range jumpers… You name it. Josh has reached his peek and need to be shipped out of Atlanta. If Josh learn what works for him he would be a better player than he is now. He needs to play within his game and not play outside his game. I’m not hating on Josh, I’m stating facts..
joey1
May 25th, 2011
2:45 pm
we need to trade for d howard his best friend is j smith he would love to play along him
Trent
May 25th, 2011
2:46 pm
Joey1, Not going to happen(d.howard) Atlanta can’t afford Howard with the money they paid J.J.
Dukester
May 25th, 2011
2:48 pm
Once again Ken we agree. Bynum will miss 25 games every year we dont need him. Here is what we need in this order.
A coach with a bigger ego than Josh than can approach Josh like a man and gain Josh’s respect.
Some how move Marvin contract I really dont care what we get in return either.
Sign either Tyson Chandler or Sam Dalembert. or trade for Brendan Haywood.
And by the way ASG please go all out pay what you need to pay. I mean pay the luxury tax to get a center in here. There is no turning back. Give this team 2 years with a real coach and center. If they cant win then bust it up.
ThreeTeam
May 25th, 2011
2:49 pm
Three Team Trade – Lakers, Magic and Hawks -
Lakers get – J. Smoove, H. Tugolou
Magic get – A. Bynum, Marvin Williams
Hawks get – Dwight Howard, Derek Fisher
1st Game Lineup
PG – J. Teague
SG – K. Heinreich
SF – J. Johnson
PF – A. Horford
C – D. Howard
Bill Stanfill
May 25th, 2011
2:51 pm
Absolutely don’t want Artest as a Hawk.
I’d rather have Josh Smith-kind-of-trouble that Artest-kind-of-trouble.
Bynum is a maybe.
Why trade trouble for trouble?
Marvin Williams
May 25th, 2011
2:52 pm
I heard I was being traded to Cleveland for a Craig Ehlo jersey.
atlfan
May 25th, 2011
2:53 pm
since the 05-06 season Bynum has played 46,82,35,50,65 and 54 games consecutively. What you think Bynum gets healthier as he gets older? All you have to see is Ming and Oden. Uless you have a backup like Odem and gasol, what are you going to do the other 40 to 50 games he will miss? Jeff was probably one of those guys who wanted Hawks to sign Shaqe last season. We all know what he did with Boston. Artest? Really? What are we trying to solve by bringing Artest?
lifedog
May 25th, 2011
2:53 pm
Smith to the Clips for their center, whose name I can never remember, would be a good deal.
Dan
May 25th, 2011
2:54 pm
Yeah that stupid idea makes no sense! Bynum is an upgrade at center, but he is as fragile and injury-prone as they come. And Ron Artest. Are you kidding me? Why would the Hawks want that cancer. Offensively he is washed up and defensively not as good as he used to be.
I say if we trade Josh we should get real value for him.
jim
May 25th, 2011
2:55 pm
The Hawks won’t be anywhere as good as they were this year if they dump Josh Smith.
i_am_soulstar
May 25th, 2011
3:02 pm
Maybe Smoove for Bynum straight up, but not Smoove and Kirk for Bynum and Artest,
mark
May 25th, 2011
3:04 pm
Josh Smith is one of the only Hawks that plays with heart. Sometimes he gets down and hist inspirational power does affect the whole team then down. But one other player has definitely reached a plateau, is completely uninspirational and consistently fails when we need him the most. Trade Joe, use his value in others eyes and eat some of the cost if we have to.
KevinM
May 25th, 2011
3:05 pm
“Get Real Hawks Fans
May 25th, 2011
12:00 pm
What do you guys think of DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers. Very long and Athletic. Could we go after him perhaps?”
Way back from page 2………..Jordan probably in line for a bigger payday than we can afford. Again, you gotta ask, who as a FA has Quick Rick brought in here that has made any impact?
Next…..and for those who are pondering Bynum, why dont’ we just throw it all in there………..Kobe and Odom for Joe/Josh/Kirk…we might as well..it makse as much sense.
You want a team who is willing to deal and is going to get a makeover? Go talk to Jerry West.
John Johnson
May 25th, 2011
3:08 pm
I feel the Hawks should trade for Lou Hudson or Spud Webb. If they play their cards right, they might could get Kareem Abdul Jabar.
mark
May 25th, 2011
3:09 pm
How about save a year and trade Joe and whoever else to Orlando for Howard?
Josh is the heart of the team.
Danny Manning
May 25th, 2011
3:10 pm
Hey, trade Nique to the Clippers for me! I am a budding star, but Nique is old and his contract is expiring. I know you guys are in first place and playing well, but I promise this will work out!
Jimbo
May 25th, 2011
3:14 pm
Leave Josh Smith alone!!
JAP
May 25th, 2011
3:20 pm
Josh Smith is a good basketball player, but with the right coaching, he has the potential to be dominant. He is too tall and too big not to be dominant. At 6′10 and about 260lbs, he can dominate ALL power forwards with the right coaching. I saw in the playoffs that Josh was finally driving to the basket. Everytime he did it, he made the shot, went to the free throw line, or both. If he works on that in the offseason, no one will be able to guard him. I wish we could get a true center, but Joe Johnson was paid that ridiculous amount of money. Hopefully the people at the top can work something out.
Mitch Kupchak, Lakers GM
May 25th, 2011
3:20 pm
thanks Jeff. I voted yes.
Mash
May 25th, 2011
3:21 pm
I don’t think we should trade Josh, but if we do – get Kevin Love! We need rebounds.
tyger
May 25th, 2011
3:25 pm
Great deal!
Bynum, who plays 20 games more than Oden
Artest, a truly psychotic individual
Col. Shultz any other teams you want to do favors for?
Mike is Back
May 25th, 2011
3:28 pm
Shultz, if you are serious about improving the Hawks…THEN figure out a trade scenario to move JJ…can you imagine being stuck with JJ, Artest, and Bynum contract…GEEEEEEEZ!!!
WHOS GOING TO BLOCK SHOTS…when Bynum knees needs a couple months off…which has happen a lot in his NBA career…hmmmmm.
I guess watching Yao suffer through his debilitating injuries…isn’t enough to warrant caution…in Bynum case…Heck, as long as we move Josh…what tha heeeell…no ulterior motive in this blog. lol
DS
May 25th, 2011
3:29 pm
Marvin & Zaza for Kaman
Move Josh only if we can get Rudy Gay, but we know Memphis won’t do that. So make Josh lose some weight and play the 3 permanently.
Joe Johnson
May 25th, 2011
3:30 pm
Were you guys talking about trading me? I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you over the sound of the dump truck dropping a load of money on my front lawn.
Corpse of Donald Sterling, Clippers GM
May 25th, 2011
3:31 pm
Blake Griffin, Josh Smith, Deandre Jordan, with Eric Gordon and Chris Paul in 2013.
Delicious.
We’ll give you Chris Kaman he was an all star center once you know. He lets Al Horford get more elbow jump shots so he can dominate guys like Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire Dirk Nowitzki and the corpse of Kevin Garnett.
Horford is the future. Thank you for these beautiful black bodies jeff schultz.
-signed, pervert owner
John Wade
May 25th, 2011
3:31 pm
yeah, let’s trade our best player for a center with bad knees and a mental case who is liable to start pummeling somebody in the stands.
Rufus1
May 25th, 2011
3:37 pm
If Josh in the heart of the Team….THEN THE HAWKS HAVE A HEART MURMUR!!!
Get over Josh Smith… 7 years no Jumper, no left hand, emotionally unstable and he makes 12mil a year.
I would rather TRADE JOSH FOR LAMAR ODOM… 6′10, lefty, dribble, shots 3’s, rebounds, blocks shots and he makes 8mil a year.
Marvin Williams
May 25th, 2011
3:39 pm
@Joe Johnson
whew, I guess I’m safe even though a musclebound Josh Smith outperformed me and took my starting job in the playoffs.
Neither of us are good 3s but at least u punish guys like Keith Bogans when they guard you!
Oh and thanks Josh for not saying the only way to get rid of me and bring back size is to package me with Horford.
You know I was selected over Chris Paul and Deron Williams right? I’m a starter in this league just at the 2. Too bad the franchise is blind and thinks 14 points on 12 shots and pedestrian wing defense next to undersized big men is key to a contender
Daniel
May 25th, 2011
3:41 pm
What about Hinrich and Smith for Flynn and Minni’s 1st round pick. Flynn plays backup pg and then get Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter.
True Hawk Fan
May 25th, 2011
3:41 pm
Not willing to trade a young Josh for an old Artest either. Bynum intrigues me but injury history makes me wary. Maybe his stock dropped a little after cheap shot and you can make deal that finally benefits the Hawks instead of the other team for a change. You’re going to need a better SG than Kirk. Starting SG? Come on now. That’s not championship thinking.
Walker, Texas Ranger
May 25th, 2011
3:42 pm
Duh?, no entertainment capital. How about the hip hop captial!
blake
May 25th, 2011
3:42 pm
Josh Smith is still very young and we seen that when he plays ” his game ” he is pretty much a monster…… Were as AB is often Injuried….. I would much rather have smoove than Bynum… BUT if we can trade JJ for the lakers water boy. I would do that trade in a minute