Hawks To Seek Sign-And-Trade Scenarios For Josh Smit (Pg. 6)

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo wrote:Before the trade deadline passed, the Boston Celtics had one final choice to make on the franchise's future: In a three-way deal that would've secured Josh Smith and surrendered Paul Pierce to Dallas, Atlanta wanted Boston's first-round draft pick, too.

As much as any of the proposed deals discussed in February, perhaps this had been the closest Pierce had come to parting with the Celtics, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Dallas had constructed a package that included Jae Crowder, Brandan Wright and Dahntay Jones to Atlanta, with the Mavericks and Hawks exchanging positions in the 2013 NBA draft.

Nevertheless, Boston wouldn't relent on the pick and the deal died on meeting-room grease boards in three cities. Celtics coach Doc Rivers has always understood that general manager Danny Ainge's reshaping of the roster is inevitable, but he's never been in a hurry to lord over a rebuild.

Josh Smith: Atlanta Is The Worst Sports Town



The Atlanta Hawks didn’t trade star forward Josh Smith despite the swirling, and endless rumors. But with his impending free agency this summer, there are serious doubts about Smith’s future with the Hawks. Due to a lack of strong fan support, Josh admits that playing in Atlanta isn’t the easiest thing. Per the NY Daily News: “It is a little difficult (playing in Atlanta),’ said Smith, an Atlanta native. ‘Last year like I was telling everybody, we were ranked No. 1 worst sports town in the United States. It was just the whole city, baseball, football – but football always has a crazy fanbase – it is a little bit difficult. But hopefully we can turn it around sooner than later.’ Smith isn’t making this up. Atlanta has the worst fan support in the country, according to Forbes, having supplanted Seattle in last year’s dubious rankings. It seemed fitting that about an hour after our conversation with Smith he played in a half-empty Philips Arena, where the Hawks’ effort matched the atmosphere in a lifeless 93-80 loss to the Nets. Smith wasn’t saying success or popularity was impossible in Atlanta. It’s just ‘a little bit difficult’ when the team isn’t getting support, despite five straight playoff appearances. The Nets of New Jersey could relate. Smith used Oklahoma City as an example of a team ‘bringing global attractions to a small city. …But you have to have those big names like the Kevin Durant’s and Russell Westbrook’s.’”

revgen wrote:I agree that D12 is likely staying here in LA. However, I think Josh was hinting at what Hawks management is aiming for in the offseason.

therealdeal wrote:But guys... Marvin Williams though.

jimbo327 wrote:Atlanta would be a ghost town if Smith is gone. There would be zero entertainment value left.

JSM wrote:

jimbo327 wrote:Atlanta would be a ghost town if Smith is gone. There would be zero entertainment value left.

I wouldn't necessarily say that. By not overpaying Josh and letting him walk, Hawks can get two big FAs. Ferry is proving to be a much wiser GM than Atlanta has had in a long long while.

Hawks fans have a love-hate relationship with Josh. They love the D and the dunks, but the chucking and seemingly the thousands of missed 3 irritates the hell out of everyone here. It'd be like if MWP was our #1 option and we had to deal with that on a larger scale every night.

Source: Josh Smith 'Highly Unlikely' To Return To Hawks In 13-14



Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

Josh Smith is staying home — in Atlanta with the Hawks. For the time being.

The Atlanta native and subject of intense trade discussions was not dealt Thursday, and he will play the rest of the season for the Hawks, who are 29-23 and in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

On Thursday, Smith said Atlanta will be on his list of teams he considers when he becomes a free agent. However, all politics is local. The Atlanta native does not want to irritate the home fans, but a person familiar with Smith's plans told USA TODAY Sports that it is "highly unlikely" that Smith re-signs with Atlanta. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the private nature of the negotiations.

Smith, 27, had been the top player projected to be traded with an expiring contract that will pay him $13.2 million this season.

But after considering trade proposals from several teams, including a down-to-the-wire offer from the Milwaukee Bucks, Hawks general manager Danny Ferry decided to keep Smith.

Ferry, unsure if the Hawks wanted to re-sign Smith or if Smith wanted to re-sign in the offseason, searched for a deal, trying to get some value in exchange for Smith. Ultimately, Ferry didn't like the offers he received.

"We value Josh," Ferry told NBA TV. "He's been important to our program here the last several years, and I've enjoyed working with him this year. He's an important part of this team, and we look forward to finishing the year well with him."

Smith averages 17.2 points and 8.6 rebounds for the Hawks. In his nine seasons, all in Atlanta, he has averaged 15.2 points and eight rebounds.

Ferry has been remaking the team's roster since taking over in June. The team is nearly $40 million under the salary cap headed into the offseason and has seven contracts that expire after 2012-13. Atlanta also has team options on two other players.

That is significant money to spend on next season's payroll. Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul are the expected centerpieces of the 2013 free-agent class, but luring either player to Atlanta will be difficult. Ferry will try, especially in regards to Howard, who like Smith, is from Atlanta. Expect Ferry to go after Howard aggressively.

The Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Bucks were among teams that had at least cursory discussions with Atlanta.

Atlanta's decision to keep Smith thrills a team like the Houston Rockets or Denver Nuggets, who could sign him as a free agent. Smith can earn a max contract starting with next season, but on Thursday, Smith said he has never asked for a max contract.

But he does want to get paid. If Smith lands with another team next season, the max contract he can receive is for four years, $72.39 million, starting at $16.95 million in 2013-14.

Since Atlanta holds Smith's Bird rights, it can offer him a five-year, $97.49 million deal. While that's a lot of money to leave on the table, both sides might be ready for a fresh start without the other. There's no bad blood. Just time to move on. There are good breakups.

Smith will be just 31 years old when he is due for a new contract in 2017-18. After this summer's lucrative deal, he will have the opportunity for another big payday in his early 30s.

Hawks Offered Josh Smith Three-Year, $45M Extension



The Atlanta Hawks offered Josh Smith a three-year, $45 million contract extension before the season.

According to sources, the talks never got serious because Smith made it clear that he wanted to make it to free agency.

League rules on extensions kept the Hawks from offering anything longer than three extra years during the season.

The Hawks then tried hard to trade Smith prior to February's deadline.

therealdeal wrote:Interesting.

I just don't see Smith making that kind of bank in other cities. Where else is he going to get paid like that AND be part of a good team? There's not many teams this summer with money to spare.

abeer3 wrote:

therealdeal wrote:Interesting.

I just don't see Smith making that kind of bank in other cities. Where else is he going to get paid like that AND be part of a good team? There's not many teams this summer with money to spare.

you sure about that? i think lots of teams have cash this summer. my quick count says at least 16 teams should have something more than 10 million to spend. granted, several of these teams probably need to retain their own guys, but still...there's money to be had. with smith being one of the top free agents available, you'd think he'd have a good shot at getting paid big.

The Rock wrote:Houston can use a PF. If Dwight re-signs they might go after Smith

Chillbongo wrote:

The Rock wrote:Houston can use a PF. If Dwight re-signs they might go after Smith

Dude if Houston got Smith I would s*** myself. Do they have the cap space?

Harden + Smith + Parsons + Asik + Lin?

Do those players scarily complement each other or is it just me?