The Josh Smith trade rumors: I’m not buying any of them – yet
Once and future teammates? Not so fast, my friend. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The volume on the Josh Smith trade rumors has been cranked up to 11 — “Spinal Tap” joke — and somebody needs to dial it down. I nominate … myself.
It has been reported that the Hawks are gauging interest in Smith ahead of tonight’s NBA draft, which only makes sense. It has also been reported that Smith wants out of Atlanta, which I’m not sure is the case, and has even submitted a list of teams he wouldn’t mind joining. (The list, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, includes Boston, Houston, Orlando and New Jersey.)
Smoove-related speculation has been running the highest in Orlando, where Smith’s best friend (meaning Dwight Howard) plays, and Boston. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that discussions between the Hawks and the Magic are “totally legit.” But now we ask: Other than Howard himself, who among Magic men would the Hawks want?
Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel notes that, not counting Howard, Orlando really has only “four tradable assets” — Jameer Nelson, Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick. If the Hawks trade Smith for any combination of those, Rick Sund is nuts. And whatever else you might think of the Hawks’ general manager, he gives the impression of being a pillar of sanity.
And there’s no way the Magic are trying to deal Howard for Smith. It’s way too early for that. At this stage Orlando GM Otis Smith is seeking to assuage his big man’s doubts that his team is serious about winning a title, and what better way to placate Howard than to add his old Atlanta Celtics wingman?
As for Boston: A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE reports that the Celtics have had “no discussions” with the Hawks. Again, it’s hard to find a trade match for Smith on that roster. Kevin Garnett is scheduled to make $21 million next season, or roughly $9 million more than Smith will. As Blakely writes, Ray Allen is only under contract for one more year at $10 million and might be seen as a replacement for Jamal Crawford, who’s apt to leave as a free agent. But do you want to swap a 25-year-old power forward for a 35-year-old shooting guard?
The belief here is that the Hawks will have a tougher time than many think finding a trade match for Smith. He’s far too gifted to give away, but his excesses have become so well known that a good team isn’t apt to disrupt its rotation to make room for him.
This isn’t to say a trade can’t happen. It very well could. (It has been suggested that a third team might be needed to make a deal with the Magic work.) I’d be surprised if it happens today or this month, though.
By Mark Bradley
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160 comments Add your comment
Runner-
June 23rd, 2011
12:53 pm
Oops, sorry about that thought you included Smith in the deal. My mistake
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
12:55 pm
Yea I know what you are saying. I just threw that out because Howard wants to play with josh. If josh cant come to the magic because they dont have what the hawks want in return, so maybe he will come to atl and play with josh…and it would be messed up if josh got traded to the magic and howard ends up leaving still leaving josh hanging in orlando lol
Runner-
June 23rd, 2011
12:59 pm
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=5w44ytm
Runner-
June 23rd, 2011
12:59 pm
Either of these trade should do, throw in some draft picks for the Hawks and it should work out
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=5rotc4s
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=5w44ytm
Runner-
June 23rd, 2011
1:00 pm
or http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=5rotc4s
Throw in some draft picks for the Hawks and it should work out
albatross
June 23rd, 2011
1:02 pm
j smoove is the gayest nickname but then agian all atl teams have gay nicknames…matty ice, j-hey, j-smoove…give me a break
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
1:02 pm
I would only do this trade if we didnt have joe locked up with this huge contract, but we have a SG so im not sure about it
Runner-
June 23rd, 2011
1:06 pm
Yea I dunno if Martin is a good defender or not but putting him at SF might be worth a shot, either that or move Joe at SF since he’s not a true SG anyway
Holy Cow
June 23rd, 2011
1:08 pm
My point is this…we keep waiting for Smith to figure things out. “Oh, he’ll be a monster in two years, blah, blah, blah.” I think we are doomed to stay at the same level as long as we have this mis-matched “core” crew. Nobody wants Joe’s contract. Nobody wants Marvin. It’s either gotta be Smith or Horford, unfortunately. Just keep waiting in that pumpkin patch Linus, Smoove will be great next year.
cdog
June 23rd, 2011
1:10 pm
the hawks would be wise to trade for dwight howard. with josh smith or al hordford, they’re going to not make it to the finals.hordford or smith traded will help their chances of getting to the finals with howard as a hawk.
Runner-
June 23rd, 2011
1:11 pm
I think Horford can be a monster if the PF position is given as all his after we unload Smoove. He can focus on his offense more and stop worrying so much about rebounding and defending
Holy Cow
June 23rd, 2011
1:11 pm
By the way, where is Najeh Davenpoop today?
Vol_In_Ohio
June 23rd, 2011
1:14 pm
Agree with the article in that the potential deals listed make no sense. However, The Wolves seem desperate for a veteran big and they want to move the #2 pick. It actually seems like a fair trade to me.
I doubt Josh would be happy in Minnesota. His attitude about where he goes might be as effective as a no trade clause. I’d take the draft pick myself.
David
June 23rd, 2011
1:15 pm
Really are yall nuts overall Josh is the best player on this team easily do he take stupid shots yep but if he get that under control he could be a all time great in Hawks history, look at his numbers.
CJ
June 23rd, 2011
1:16 pm
2010-2011 Regular Season Shooting Percentages:
Josh Smith – .447 FG%, .331 3P%
Joe Johnson – .443 FG%, .297 3P%
I think we’re getting angry at the wrong person for shot selection. Also, Josh brings a defensive element to the game that is not replaceable. His 2.23 Career Block per Game are 4th amongst active players. Not replaceable.
Runner-
June 23rd, 2011
1:18 pm
@ CJ, shot selection is not about the percentage, it’s about when you take the shot. I’ll take Joe’s shot selection over Smoove’s any day of the week. Most of Joe’s were open 3’s anyway, they just weren’t going down. Most of Smoove’s were contested, pointless 3’s that came at crunch time, some of which cost us some important games
J.J.M.
June 23rd, 2011
1:18 pm
I would rather have josh over horford though but that may just be me…Horford doesnt block shots and cant really post up…yes he has been to the all star the last 2 years but lets face it josh has been snub the last 2 seasons(maybe because his attitude)
CJ
June 23rd, 2011
1:23 pm
@Runner, I think you have it the other way around. Most of Josh’s were open 3’s. No one guards him outside of 20 feet. I think people just forget when Joe takes a bad shot because the perception is he is a high percentage shooter.
Jamaaliver
June 23rd, 2011
1:25 pm
CJ- No one is excusing JJ. But he did still lead the team in scoring and assists last year.
Josh quits in games…often. And he plays the same position as Horford. He needs a new start. We need a SF or starting caliber Center.
Josh has talent, but he’ll break your heart. He’s never actually own anything at any point in his career. he’s too weak to guard big Forwards, too slow to guard quick Forwards.
And his 1.6 blocks per game don’t exactly make him irreplaceable.
DawgDad
June 23rd, 2011
1:26 pm
The Hawks brass has said they want the team to get more physical “by subtraction and by adding some role players”. I’m no basketball expert, but on the surface subtracting Smith doesn’t seem to fit that equation. Crawford will walk, Marvin will move, a couple of bangers will be added, and the core will stick around.
tyger
June 23rd, 2011
1:26 pm
Hawks would be fools…
JSmoove is the heart/soul of this team…
Want more empty seats, trade JSmoove…
Why cant you find a salary match? b/c his equals make $15Mper+
Better luck trading Horford, he’s a beast but exposed in playoffs…
And that’s the difference, Smoove has unlimited potential, Horford has a ceiling…
Smoove can raise/lower his game to the level of competition, thats a rare commodity…
Anyone is tradeable but don’t bring me another dog w a different set of fleas!!!
cattledawg
June 23rd, 2011
1:28 pm
Im not a huge basketball fan, but heres my question for those that are. How come Atlanta cant attract a big time free agent? It seems to me that nba players love atlanta. Would dwight Howard not want to come home and be a star?
CJ
June 23rd, 2011
1:30 pm
@Jamaaliver I was going on a Career Blocks per Game because last year his legs were clearly bothering him during the season. He is a very frustrating player to watch, I’m just saying, there are things he brings to the table that are unique.
John
June 23rd, 2011
1:30 pm
If the Hawks trade anyone, they should trade Al. His skill set is replaceable, whereas, Josh’s isn’t. Do you guys understand what a hit we would take defensively by trading Josh. The major problem this season was Drew’s refusal to play Teague. I am convinced he would have added 5-7 wins to the season had he played regularly. I like Jamal, but the Hawks need to let him go and sign two good bench/role guys. Let Hinrich back up Teague and Joe. I think Marvin’s game will improve with Jamal gone, as will Joe’s. Jamal dominates the ball, and though he can score in bunches, he plays no D.
DawgDad
June 23rd, 2011
1:30 pm
“Smoove can raise/lower his game to the level of competition, thats a rare commodity…”
I’m not thinking Smith is moving (see above), but players who LOWER their game to the level of competition tend to BE commodities.
I don’t buy into the Larry Drew weak coach stuff either. He played for Norm Stewart at Missouri and others in the NBA; he’s had some solid tutelage.
Veteran Fan
June 23rd, 2011
1:32 pm
Josh, Zaza, Marvin and next year’s #1 and this year’s #2 to the Timberwolves for Kevin Love, Darko, and the pick to get Kanter from Turkey. JJ to whoever has the rights to Fredette and resign Jamal. Line up Kanter, Horford, Love, Heinrich, and Teague with Jamal, Fredette, and Darko coming off the bench. Great on the boards, very good defense, consistent offense. Serious contender for at least 5 years.
John
June 23rd, 2011
1:33 pm
I have been with the Hawks through thick and thin. I have watched nearly every game through the terrible years, but if they trade Josh for anyone on the Magic not named Dwight, I will pick a new team until the Atlanta SPIRIT sells the team and Rick Sund leaves. Plus, Al at PF does not stand a chance to make the All-Star team or All-NBA team. He benefitted from the lack of quality centers in the league. Josh is much closer to an all-star at PF than Al. Don’t you think Mark???
DD
June 23rd, 2011
1:37 pm
Too much baggage with J-smoove. The guy has a ton of talent, but is a head case and a baby. He is poison to the team. We need to dump him.
MistaGamer
June 23rd, 2011
1:37 pm
@Runner – “pointess 3’s that came at crucn time, some of which cost us some important games” is just the hyperbole I hate being thrown around. Joe and Jamal both took way more bad shots, and may way more bad plays in crunch time that cost us games than Josh.
I’m not against the idea of trading Josh under all circumstances. But unfortunately, people will only see that rooting to just get rid of a guy that produces better than +90% of the players at his position is cutting of your nose to spite your face when he is gone.
Trading Josh away from this team is not this mythical/magical “addition by subtraction” thing that some people keep insisting on trying to pull out of the hat. Even if there was a such thing, that would imply that Josh is what is wrong with this team, and that couldn’t be futher from the truth. So, if you got rid of Josh and don’t get a Dwight howard type in return, the problems with this team just get much bigger.
Rattler4life000
June 23rd, 2011
1:40 pm
For all those that want Josh traded, but you want to keep Al? Why? After seeing Al in this past playoffs play soft as a you know what!!.. So we’d rather keep a 6–10 set shooter, with no post game, doesn’t like to be physical, doesn’t block shots and rebounds every now and again???? Really??? If you thought the arena was empty on some nights, just wait.. It was nice being a consistent playoff team, now franchise going backwards again!!! DISGUSTED!!!! Josh has a rare skill set and is a solid player on both ends of the court, where is the intensity on the team without Josh…ummm not from Al, not from Joe….anyone???? I’m listening……
Mike
June 23rd, 2011
1:44 pm
@cattledawg
Now that is a simple answer.
Atlanta Spirit Group
Their ownership sucks and now everybody know that, so it is going to be hard to attract the piece to the puzzle, more and more I think about it this. I think we just blow it up and start anew, like the Falcons did. Its too painfully to see stupid trade options and dealing with this inept ownership
Blow it up
dap01
June 23rd, 2011
1:45 pm
I am confident in Rick Sund. I am sure that he is busy at this very moment with all of the creative options that his brilliant mind has developed.
This is going to be a long night…..season…..
JF McNamara
June 23rd, 2011
1:46 pm
They should’ve traded him years ago. Why does he get so much hype anyway? He’s the 12th best power forward in the NBA. He’s just a good player and is equivalent to Luis Scola or Gerald Wallace.I would trade him in a heart beat to not have to deal with him, and bring in a closer to pair with Joe J and Horford.
http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/playerstats/11/5/eff
John
June 23rd, 2011
1:47 pm
Well said Mista. Plus, Josh is closer to being an All-Star at PF than Al. Al is really good, but he has made All-NBa and All-star teams because he could be plugged in at Center which is a really weak position in the league. Al is close to reaching his limit. Josh is not and even if he is, he is still better. Josh even has a better post game. When he uses them, Josh has some legitimate post moves.
JackP
June 23rd, 2011
1:57 pm
I think that Jay Bilas is full of………..well……..hot air.
Halsey
June 23rd, 2011
2:11 pm
I don’t know about trading Smith. It’s easy to become impatient with NBA players. Smith is still just 25. Many NBA players don’t hit their primes until around 30 years old or older. Smith may have more upside remaining than many realize.
Boycott ASG
June 23rd, 2011
2:23 pm
Bradley, why are you writing about the unwatchable ASG Hawks again? No body gives a flip about them, at least as long as they remain owned by those “masters of disaster”, the ASG.
horse
June 23rd, 2011
2:39 pm
TRADE THE ENTIRE TEAM FOR A SICK HORSE……….THEN SHOOT THE HORSE!
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
June 23rd, 2011
2:39 pm
I’ll give you “JSmoove” for a bag of Funyons and the letter W.
This just in… JSmoove just airballed ANOTHER three.
Holy Cow
June 23rd, 2011
3:08 pm
@Tyger – “Smoove has unlimited potential, Horford has a ceiling”…When do we think he might get past the unlimited potential and actually get around to playing the way someone with unlimited potential plays? Five more years? Ten more years? Like I say, you guys keep on waiting in the pumpkin patch. I’m sure the Great Pumpkin will come next year.
@Rattler – “where is the intensity on the team without Josh?” I don’t know, Josh’s only intensity seems to be whining at referees for their perceived slights toward him. He’s so intense he can’t even run downcourt?
jarvis
June 23rd, 2011
3:28 pm
On the bright side, we have Joe locked up for another 5 seasons.
Jt
June 23rd, 2011
3:28 pm
I know that Josh Smith is an enigma. He is frustrating for the true Hawk fan. Cause sometimes he is the best player on the floor (of either team) and at other times he can make you cuss out loud. But, you know, I blame the Hawks franchise as much as I blame Josh. They have mishandled him. Here is a guy who has as much talent as any Hawk since Dominique- and in many ways mirrors him. He grew up in ATL and grew up a Hawks fan. Won the slam dunk championship in his 2nd year (I think it was 2nd yr) and did it in Nique’s jersey( which demostrated a sense of Hawks history and respect). Yet the franchise failed to embrace him and market him and he knows it. I know he doesn’t have Nique’s personality but they are similar in so many ways and yet Hawks fans love DW. He grew as a player and Josh is able to do so as well. I do not question Josh’s commitment to winning- I think someone like Woodson was needed to bring a perspective to him. But now what? Who failed? He has gotten better every year. Who would you rather keep right now if you could choose- Horford and Josh and get rid of JJ? Or keep Horford and JJ and trade Josh? I say keep Josh and Horford. I think he has held up his end of expectations based upon where he was drafted and future potential- I am not sure the Hawks have done so.
kb
June 23rd, 2011
3:35 pm
This is the reason the Hawks have nevvvvver get to the Finals. Foolish fans as a whole and dumb mgt are the reasons this team has laided an egg, not Josh Smith. He just needs a seasoned coach who has a ring to gain respect from Josh (Pat Riley, Greg P, and now Rick C. of Dallas.) The only reason with any merit that Josh S is being traded is because Josh is one of the tradable pieces this team came move and get something back in return (Al Horford is the other.)
We can’t move J. Johson because of that stupid contract this mgt team gave him. No other team in the league their right mind is going to trade for that. M. Williams is a bust. We spent three draft picks for a shooting gaurd who is now learning to play point (Remember Acie Law? Remember Jordan Crawford?) We had Joel P of Portland and gave him away for a bag of peanuts.
I hope they move Josh and he gets a ring way before the Hawks. This team always had foolish GMs (Remember Stan Kasten before this bluffoon Rick Pfund; Remember Billy Knight?) who didn’t know what in hades what to do. I wished Belkin would owned the team and washed this crap of mgt group away. But to blame Josh S for the failures of this team is foolish. Yes, he needs to mature and yes he must be accountable for his actions. But no one has put the rest of this roster under the hot lights as much as Josh S has been. Where was Al H, Joe J, Jamal C, and Marvin W. in both the Orlando and Chicago series? The team so called leader Joe J. is a mental midget. Roast him too…. A team goes as far as the leader takes them…
These Hawks need to chew on that for a moment…..
Trading Horford and Sy to Houston; Motiejunas- JordanHill-Thabeet-Malcolm Thomas
June 23rd, 2011
4:13 pm
Its funny because we have Smith on his Game 4 press conference saying he’ll take all the blame and he didn’t know he was being blamed for Game 3 loss until they told him right there and then.
Has Big Al ever taken responsibility? were screwed with Al
Add to the fact that all these rumors link back to an ajc articles… I understand clicks= $$ for journalists to eat but this is laughable IMO
Holy Cow
June 23rd, 2011
4:21 pm
I’m all for Joe, Horford, Smith and Marvin four 4 packs o’ tater chips.
Holy Cow
June 23rd, 2011
4:23 pm
Trading them all for four bags of tater chips that is. As constructed this time cannot reach the finals.
Hallelujah!!!- Hawks to be sold
June 23rd, 2011
4:24 pm
SI is reporting the Hawks are about to be sold!! Could the ownership nightmare be over?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/06/23/hawks.sale/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp
Hallelujah!!!- Hawks to be sold
June 23rd, 2011
4:25 pm
SI is reporting the Hawks are about to be sold!!! Could the ownership nightmare be over?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/06/23/hawks.sale/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp
CO_Braves
June 23rd, 2011
4:30 pm
Well, looks like we might be getting our wish: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/06/23/hawks.sale/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp.
Columbus
June 23rd, 2011
4:37 pm
Minnesota for #2 for Josh to get Canter would be GREAT if it would work. I would think they would want a guard from us also which we happen to have. This was reported by Yahoo sports FYI.
Also the Hawks ara about to be SOLD! Halleluah!!!!!