Will the Hawks Trade Josh Smith?

According to Sekou Smith of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Hawks have a few serious options if trading restricted free agent Josh Smith is something the team's willing to do. Reportedly, a Western "power" and an Eastern "big dog" have sign-and-trade proposals on the table. No further clues, though Hoopsworld has some suggestions of variable intrigue.

As mentioned in Saturday's Ben Gordon discussion, sign-and-trades don't pull as much return as the typical trade. (Marcus Camby trades need not apply.) But with a talent like Smith, the Hawks must get something decent, whether it be picks or a prospect or a decent frontcourt scorer to fill in some gaps and sell some tickets. If the Hawks lose Smith for little after losing Josh Childress for nothing, those 37 wins in 2007-08 will look like a heretical dream, not a repeat chance.

I remained astounded Memphis has not gotten involved here. The only team with cap space, the Grizzlies could renounce Kwame Brown and offer Smith whatever he wanted -- and surely more than what Atlanta would be willing to match. (Something like $53 million for five years probably would not get matched by the Hawks.) Smith's fair value at that price, and the Grizz desperately need frontcourt help. With both Smith and Emeka Okafor still flailing in the wind, that Memphis remains disengaged with this summer's market is almost a detriment to the league as a whole.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-27-2008 @ 12:46PM

bgassassin said...

With Kwame Brown being unrestricted, if the Grizzlies were going to do something it would have been probably done by now.

7-27-2008 @ 1:49PM

TwinsTerritory said...

There was a rumor involving the Wolves, Golden State and Atlanta where Smith would go to Golden State.

7-27-2008 @ 11:53PM

asad said...

HEY JOSH IT'S SUNNY IN DETROIT!!!!!!
AND WE WILL LOVE YOU UNLIKE ATLANTA!!!

7-28-2008 @ 2:22AM

Jesse said...

No Memphis is being a very very smart team about this. Look the already have a young core with Conley, Mayo, and Gay runnin up and down the court and they have 2 decent low post prospects in Gasol and Darrell Arthur. By not adding a high price player they are helping their team in two ways-1. Instead of paying maybe a little to much for a talent that will only get them maybe 10 more wins next year and maybe getting them out of the lottery,they are staying put and their record will again get them a good prospect next year. 2. They are saving that money for the Summers of Sale in 2009 and 2010 when there will be many players that are much more worth the high dollar like LBJ, D-wade, Stoudemire, Bosh, T-Mac, Dirk, and Boozer. Can you imagine that squad with Amare or a Bosh type. Plus with that much cap room they could sign one of those stars plus another lower type star. Them and the Blazers are going to be set in about 3 years.

7-28-2008 @ 1:23PM

How about a sign and trade to Philly for AI. It just kinda popped in my mind. Im thinkin J. Smith could play the 3 spot well and be able to guard other SFs. Your lookin at Miller, Green, Smith, Brand, and Dalembert. Or they could experiment with Young at the 2 and have Miller, Young, Smith, Brand, and Dalembert. I think they need to make a small trade for J.J. Reddick to help their outside shooting woes since Orlando has way to many 2's and do not want him anymore. And for Atlanta your lookin at Bibby or Law, Johnson, AI, M. Williams, and moving Horford to center. Or possibly signing N. Kristic before he goes overseas?

8-08-2008 @ 4:05PM

I stand corrected. Since the Griz have offered more than the suggested amount in this blog piece, let's see if it stands.