HoopsWorld: Josh Smith to L.A.? (DET update p9)

emplay wrote:honestly no - it's really quiet right now - and everyone seems to think LA is standing pat - you can take taht to be true - or that they're keeping things quiet re: any potential deals.

I do believe given the opportunity the Lakers would move Odom if they felt it improved their team dramatically - I know they're monitoring Chicago with Deng/Hinrich - and I know they had interest in Smith a week or so ago.

But I haven't been able to get more yet - possibly cause there is no more - or possibly because it's just kept intentionally private.

emplay wrote:honestly no - it's really quiet right now - and everyone seems to think LA is standing pat - you can take taht to be true - or that they're keeping things quiet re: any potential deals.

I do believe given the opportunity the Lakers would move Odom if they felt it improved their team dramatically - I know they're monitoring Chicago with Deng/Hinrich - and I know they had interest in Smith a week or so ago.

But I haven't been able to get more yet - possibly cause there is no more - or possibly because it's just kept intentionally private.

wallangong wrote:i love Smith's game and i'd probably do the trade, i would just like to see actual accounts from observers before i compare the work ethic of a guy who's leveled off and another who has a questionable attitude. just MHO.

Laker_fan_in_Ne wrote:Unless I missed something

JSM wrote:

Sekou K Smith of the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote:
There are at least two, blockbuster sign-and-trade proposals the Hawks are chewing on regarding Smith (one from a Western Conference power and the other from an Eastern Conference big dog) that could dramatically change the landscape in Hawksville.

KB24@CL wrote:

Perfect Makes Practice wrote:

Armani wrote:Cleveland?


they have nothing outside of lebron to offer.

Wally's expiring contract.

hmmm...why would they want Wally's expiring K when they can just let Josh Smith go and not resign him?

L4L wrote:

wallangong wrote:i love Smith's game and i'd probably do the trade, i would just like to see actual accounts from observers before i compare the work ethic of a guy who's leveled off and another who has a questionable attitude. just MHO.

Many of us have heard and seen interviews with players talking about Smith's work ethic etc. I was simply giving you the objective numbers to back up the claim.

For what it's worth, LO's numbers never went through, NEVER, the same kind of gradual increase in any category.

sleepin4matty wrote:

UKUGA wrote:One other minor thing I'll throw in if the Lakers can add Smith is that with him on the roster, Kobe no longer has to be "the show", he can simply be the best player.

May not seem like much, and some may disagree; but, the point is that Josh Smith is in the top 5 (maybe higher) of "gotta see this guy play in person" talents in this league.

Not only will Smith contribute to the team from a competitive perspective; but, he also adds an element of excitement that will keep butts in the seats, and allow the Lakers to continue to increase ticket prices. He can do all the high-flying dunks and great defensive stops needed to spark the team and crowd, while allowing Kobe, who will be 30 next month, to focus on more of a floor game.

Before you anyone gets angry and disagrees, this is in no way me saying that Kobe will no longer be as exciting a player. It's simply me noting that with the addition of Smith, Kobe no longer has to be "Mr. Excitement" for 48 minutes, especially the way he was in 06 and 07.

Good point. Us trading LO for Smith would be awesome. We automatically replace all the blocks we lose w/ Ronny going North and we replace Odom's rebounding at SF too.

L4L wrote:^^They had a piece on him during the ATL vs. BOS series. I'll see if I can't find it somewhere.

Six_Six_One wrote:

KB24@CL wrote:

Perfect Makes Practice wrote:

Armani wrote:Cleveland?


they have nothing outside of lebron to offer.

Wally's expiring contract.

hmmm...why would they want Wally's expiring K when they can just let Josh Smith go and not resign him?

lol, seriously.

But it all seriousness, I think the teams involved in this are - in order:

West - Suns, Mavericks, Lakers
East - Sixers, Pistons, Celtics

The Suns are in desperate need of defense, athleticism and rebounding. But the first thing they need to address is their aging point guard issue; they traded away their only young solid point in Marcus Banks. Maybe should've moved up the draft for Bayless? A quick sign and trade in a deal offering Diaw and Barbosa could fair well with Atlanta's game plan.

The Mavericks need an athletic swingman to compensate for their softness. Can they win a championship with Smith? No, I don't think so. But he would be a very logical acquisition at this point, and if he can work it out, I think Cuban would be all over this possibility. Josh Howard is in all likelyness the odd man out here, and he's a damn good enough player for Atlanta to at least seriously consider. But losing Smith does HUGE damage, and I'd look to at least get a high scorer and legit second option to compliment Johnson especially if Bibby bolts.

The Lakers obviously have Lamar Odom to dangle as a trade piece, but I don't necessarily believe that Atlanta is targeting an expiring contract. God knows Odom will bolt out from Atlanta, and if he does so does Mike Bibby. An interesting thought, but I don't see the Hawks jumping on this one. Also, nobody really talks about this, but I could see the Lakers letting Odom go once he hits free agency so they could max Bynum out.

The Sixers can offer Andre Iguodala and some picks, and maybe toss in Dalembert to make salaries match. I think any deal not involving Brand and Miller for J-Smoove is a good one. I think this is the team we are hearing about.

The Pistons could be a viable option as well, but who would they deal? Certainly not billups. Atlanta already has Bibby. Maybe Hamilton, moving Johnson up to the 3. Prince? Their are some good options here, so maybe.

The Celtics missed out on re-signing Posey and not being able to sign Maggette. Left with a void at the 3, it's only obvious that they at least have interest, but unless Atlanta is willing to send Smith to the team that beat them in the first round in return for no real talent, then I don't see this happening at all.

Teams most likely involved: Suns and Sixers/Pistons

Six_Six_One wrote:

KB24@CL wrote:

Perfect Makes Practice wrote:

Armani wrote:Cleveland?


they have nothing outside of lebron to offer.

Wally's expiring contract.

hmmm...why would they want Wally's expiring K when they can just let Josh Smith go and not resign him?

lol, seriously.

But it all seriousness, I think the teams involved in this are - in order:

West - Suns, Mavericks, Lakers
East - Sixers, Pistons, Celtics

The Suns are in desperate need of defense, athleticism and rebounding. But the first thing they need to address is their aging point guard issue; they traded away their only young solid point in Marcus Banks. Maybe should've moved up the draft for Bayless? A quick sign and trade in a deal offering Diaw and Barbosa could fair well with Atlanta's game plan.

The Mavericks need an athletic swingman to compensate for their softness. Can they win a championship with Smith? No, I don't think so. But he would be a very logical acquisition at this point, and if he can work it out, I think Cuban would be all over this possibility. Josh Howard is in all likelyness the odd man out here, and he's a damn good enough player for Atlanta to at least seriously consider. But losing Smith does HUGE damage, and I'd look to at least get a high scorer and legit second option to compliment Johnson especially if Bibby bolts.

The Lakers obviously have Lamar Odom to dangle as a trade piece, but I don't necessarily believe that Atlanta is targeting an expiring contract. God knows Odom will bolt out from Atlanta, and if he does so does Mike Bibby. An interesting thought, but I don't see the Hawks jumping on this one. Also, nobody really talks about this, but I could see the Lakers letting Odom go once he hits free agency so they could max Bynum out.

The Sixers can offer Andre Iguodala and some picks, and maybe toss in Dalembert to make salaries match. I think any deal not involving Brand and Miller for J-Smoove is a good one. I think this is the team we are hearing about.

The Pistons could be a viable option as well, but who would they deal? Certainly not billups. Atlanta already has Bibby. Maybe Hamilton, moving Johnson up to the 3. Prince? Their are some good options here, so maybe.

The Celtics missed out on re-signing Posey and not being able to sign Maggette. Left with a void at the 3, it's only obvious that they at least have interest, but unless Atlanta is willing to send Smith to the team that beat them in the first round in return for no real talent, then I don't see this happening at all.

Teams most likely involved: Suns and Sixers/Pistons

Indianballer wrote:I would just like to add Kwame is gone to the effin pistons. Lakersmad a huge mistake not getting this guy.

Indianballer wrote:For Dallas Josh Howard for Josh Smith is a lateral move. I think both are equally talented but in their own ways. Plus Dallas didn't even consider trading Howard for Artest, so I could see the same reluctance for Josh Smith but I'm sure they would def. think about it.
.

Indianballer wrote:Thats actually a good point, didn't think about that. Josh Smith is very similar to Kenyon Martin and the Nets thrived when those two were together so you never know.
BUT The fact that Josh Howard can actually shoot the ball is a much larger plus in my mind. Josh Smith will block 3-4 times a game, while Howard can be set up for the Jumper from Kidd 10-15 times a game.

LakersN4 wrote:

Indianballer wrote:Thats actually a good point, didn't think about that. Josh Smith is very similar to Kenyon Martin and the Nets thrived when those two were together so you never know.
BUT The fact that Josh Howard can actually shoot the ball is a much larger plus in my mind. Josh Smith will block 3-4 times a game, while Howard can be set up for the Jumper from Kidd 10-15 times a game.

2 seasons ago on a team with Jefferson & Carter, who play a similar perimeter oriented game, Kidd still got a ton of his assists setting up Mikki Moore who had a career year. Kidd thrives when he has a teammate who can attack the rim.. Besides, they still have Dirk/Terry out there most of the time.. Along with plenty of other guys who can knock down jumpers.. The 1 thing they don't have is a guy who can get to the rack at will