NBA Trade Rumor: Hawks Shopping Josh Smith Aggressively
Josh Smith (photo. adidas)
Don’t let the story of the boy who cried wolf affect how seriously you take the Josh Smith trade rumors circa 2009. Granted, we heard the same thing on a bi-weekly basis for the entirety of the off-season last year: the Hawks want to get rid of Smith because he’s been a difficult guy in the clubhouse, but he’s not that much of a problem that they’re willing to sell him on the cheap.
The fact that this is the second year in which the rumor popped up on first day of the offseason says something about the situation.
The Hawks can’t afford all of the secondary pieces currently on their roster; Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia, and Flip Murray are free agents. Normally those guys would lose out when pitted against a prodigious talent like Smith. But the on-and-off pouting has soured some people in the Hawks’ organization on the 23-year old forward.
The big trade rumor flying around (if you’re already tired of the Shaq-to-Cleveland talk) centers on the Hawks’ Josh Smith. Several league sources told ESPN.com that the Hawks have been working hard the past few weeks to see whether they can find a taker for Smith.
However, Atlanta is limited in who will take Smith, not just because of the sizable contract he signed last summer (5-year, $58 million back then), but also because there’s a $6 million “trade kicker” that requires immediate payment from whatever club trades for him. ESPN’s Chad Ford spoke to an NBA GM who said that the list of owners who’d pay that extra chunk of change right now is pretty limited.
“You are going to see very few owners willing to do things like that anymore,” one GM said. “I’m not saying he’s impossible to trade. There are a few owners like Paul Allen, James Dolan, Mark Cuban and maybe Daniel Gilbert who would pay the money. But there aren’t many.”
If there is someone out there willing to pay that extra money, and offer Atlanta something in return, I’d imagine that they’re more likely to pull the trigger now than ever before.
Source: ESPN
June 16th, 2009 at 9:28 am
RICK773 says:
Can’t see many teams that have a glaring need for him. Maybe NY if the lose Lee or Cleveland if they lose sideshow.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am
smoove chips says:
guy’s a decent talent,but I did’t know it took that much shyt to get him.All the GMs just mentioned don’t NEED a player of his type that bad or already have one.which explains why he’ll stay a hawk for another year.
Or alternatively he could rent the bestseller by Shawn marion “how to make teams trade you instantly”
June 16th, 2009 at 9:36 am
fallinup says:
Unless Josh is there demanding a trade. I doubt he gets moved at Atlanta’s will. Teams are waiting next to the phone the second shit gets too hectic in ATL. The fact that he’s known for issues, will keep teams from calling ATL. Why not wait until they can get him for cheaper?
June 16th, 2009 at 9:41 am
TJ 2 says:
i just get so sick of seeing teams signing players to these contracts, then wanting to trade them later and because of the way they structured the contract they cant! its like should u have thought about this before presenting the contract!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:57 am
karizmatic says:
Josh Smith really isn’t worth the money he gets paid, he’s a nice high flyer but the way the power forward (finesse forward) position is being played these days, he really needs to spend a lot more time developing his jump shot to justify that kind of pay. If he’s up to be traded I could definitely see him on Dallas, to me that’s the only realistic trade here.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:15 am
BRUCE says:
I am willing to bet the house, if there is a coaching change, there will be a change in J. Smith attitude.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:18 am
jzsmoove says:
The Raptors could use some talent this way dont know how unless Bosh is included and parts to make it happen. If the Hawks dangle a 1st rd pick to unload Smith will only sweeten the deal.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Joey says:
He’s really the homeless man’s LeBron james (a super athletic forward who can put the ball on the floor but has no shot), so he makes no sense in Cleveland.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Joey says:
joe Smith sucks!!!
June 16th, 2009 at 10:30 am
NTstateOFmind says:
not sure what team would need someone who can jump out the gym yet cant throw a rock in the ocean
June 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
nerditry says:
He makes sense in NY if David Lee is gone, but his trade to them feels like a return to he Isaiah teams. He’s moody, inconsistent and has not shown the growth needed for a player entering his sixth year in the league.
I’d rather keep Zaza for much less money and pickup a real PG and center in the process.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Rare Air says:
Josh Smith has always struck me as a guy with all the tools who doesnt really care all that much. Financially the deal seems to be a bit of a reach, it could be one of those deals where given a new situation he comes ready to play. I agree with the point though that if he isnt demanding a trade than whats the big issue and how much of a problem can he possibly be?
June 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Sweet English says:
Ha Ha @ Post 8
That shoud be Josh’s new nickname.
Lebron ‘The King’ James
Kobe ‘Black Mama’ Bryant
Kevin ‘Big Ticket’ Garnett
Josh ‘jump out the gym but cant throw a rock in the ocean’ Smith
June 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Sweet English says:
Oops - Mamba*
June 16th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Arrogant says:
The Sacramento Kings need to Go get him… they got the pick, got the coach.. got the main go to guy… now add the pieces. Throw maybe Gooden and Jackson expiring contracts at them….
I also wouldn’t mind him moving back to sf (when he gets a shot)and running along side the bulls…Tyrus and smith would make a daily highlight reel…
June 16th, 2009 at 11:09 am
dmozz says:
@11, u were right with ‘mama’
June 16th, 2009 at 11:35 am
E$ says:
no thanks, he’s a team killer
June 16th, 2009 at 11:38 am
nowwhatyo says:
if i remember correctly, smith could have gotten a lot more money from other teams when he originally signed his contract. he was praised for signing a “reasonable” contract and staying in atlanta. and now atlanta can’t find a taker… he’s shown no growth since then.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Kobeef says:
I can’t resist the opportunity to go on record and say I said last year that the Hawks should have let smith go to Memphis when they threw that contract at him.
Marvin Williams can do everything Smith does for the Hawks and is a better shooter.
Here’s the deal:
Josh Smith to Memphis for the #2 pick (Hasheem Thabeet) and the contract formerly known as Marko Jaric. Memphis gets the player they wanted last year and starts:
PG - Conley
SG - Mayo
SF - Gay
PF - Smith
C - Gasol
Atlanta starts
PG - Bibby
SG - JJ
SF - Marvelous
PF - Harford
C - ZaZa
June 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Kobeef says:
An in 3 months time, Atlanta Starts
PG - Bibby
SG - JJ
SF - Marvelous
PF - Harford
C - Thabeet
June 16th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
k-mav says:
Josh Smith to the Mavs. He would re-energize the Mavs.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
sxm says:
smooth for monta ellis?
June 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Diego says:
I doubt the Hawks will resign Zaza–so he won’t be around next year. (I’d rather have them go after Gortat.) Marvin is just too fragile/injury-prone.
Unless Bibby can be had on the cheap, don’t resign his old butt.
J-Smoove is way too immature and doen’t know his own limits. I don’t like Woodson, but he has shown a TON of patience with Smith.
I like idea of trade to GS for Ellis. Also, grab J-Chill back from Greece, and sign Gortat from Orlando.
Next year’s team:
First team:
PG - M. Ellis
SG - JJ
SF - J-Chill
PF - Horford
C - Gortat.
Second team:
PG - [Acie Law?]
SG - Flip Murray
SF - Marvin
PF - Soloman Jones
C - Randolf Morris
Actually, Flip would be 2nd team point guard too. (Just like this year.) Not a great 2nd team, but a pretty solid–and also fun to watch–starting 5!
June 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Diego says:
Mo Evans would be in the mix in that 2nd team too.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
JuiceMode says:
Josh Smith for Josh Howard, straight up.
Same position, matching salaries, both have “issues” with their team. It would give them a fresh start. Plus Josh Smith might be a good compliment to the Diggler. And playing with Kidd will definitely help his game. Josh Howard will give the Hawks the consistency that Smith lacked.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Bron42 aka Had Springs Before Slamball says:
@kobeef, aren’t rudy gay and josh smith pretty much the same dude minus some muscle?
@Juicemode, that could work but smith can’t play SF, so unless dirk is playin center full time or hes playin sf on offense…Kidd would def have josh smith lookin like a young kenyon martin though. I don’t see howard helpin the hawks though, hes like marvin williams but good.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Kobeef says:
@Bron
Yeah, pretty much but it could work since both are big and athletic enough to play PF or SF.
Rudy is actually longer (7′3 wingspan vs Josh’s 7′0) and has a higher vert than JSmoove (40.5 vs Josh’s 39.5) so if anything Rudy would play the PF in this combination.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
DAVID SYPHOE says:
HERES THE REAL DEAL
GO GET ANDRE MILLER PG (TOTAL FREE AGENT) WITH SOME OF BIBBY’S MONEY AND THEN TRADE JOSH SMITH TO NEW ORLEANS FOR
TYSON CHANDLER 7′0 CENTER. AND BECOME AN UP TEMPO TEAM.
SEE YOU DEEP IN THE PLAYOFFS 2010. BIBBY IS GREAT, YOUR PG HAS TO LEAD YOUR TEAM IN ASSISTS.
PG MILLER- SG J JOHNSON-SF MARVIN W -PF AL HORFORD-C TYSON
CHANDLER.
PS. THINK ABOUT SIGNING JARRETT JACK PG
REAL DEAL
June 16th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
hooper5013 says:
Josh Smith is a stud. Marvin williams is butt crumbs. Rudy Gay isn’t better than Josh, any team that wouldn’t take him is dumb! I would use his trading cards as weedplates. Josh is good. I don’t see what all the hate is for. Yeah he is not a great shooter but neither are D Wade or LeBron and he plays must better Defense that either of the 2. As a matter of fact, scottie pippen was a shit shooter too, as was Grant hill (he has come on here at the end of his career), Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler. Maybe he won’t be as good as them when it’s all over, but to call him trash and a headcase, and cancer is just shit. At any rate go ahead Atlanta be stupid as hell and trade the best player on your team. Did everyone else tune out during the playoffs? Kid showed up. Dumbass hawks
June 16th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
hooper5013 says:
marvin williams trading cards are the ones i use for weedplates for the record*
June 16th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Lee says:
Lakers sign and trade for Odom or Ariza
June 16th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Bron42 aka Had Springs Before Slamball says:
@hooper, Dwade is a wayyyyyy better shooter than josh smith. like miles ahead of him. And a better over defender too. I mean josh’s key skill is blocks meanwhile wade is one of the best shot blockin guards in nba history stat wise. He averaged more blocks a game than josh and lebron.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
"Tha Boddy" Lies Speak Truth says:
To tell the truth I don’t see why there aren’t alot of guards averaging atleast a block a game.How many teams in the league don’t have a gunner at the PG/SG position who will give their defender enough chances to slap a shot or 2???
June 17th, 2009 at 12:07 am
hooper5013 says:
@Bron42
he ain’t way better son. He is better though. Josh has long ass arms and he plays great defense on the perimeter also. And no matter who comes in the whole he strong enough and athletic enough to get up there with them and throw it away, ask dwight and lebron. The kid can play is what I am saying and his lack of a jumper shouldn’t automatically make him a shiteater.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:13 am
CDouble says:
Stats aren’t all that matters in being a good defender. You can lead the league in steals and still be a shitty defender for gambling too much (looking at you Wade, CP3 and a younger AI). Many lockdown defenders don’t have eye popping, league leading stats (Battier). I don’t think Smith is necessarily a lockdown defender, but I wouldn’t say Dwade is necessarily better than him for averaging more blocks per game. I would say both are above average, but would never lock anyone down really. Throw Amare in there too. He’s a stat padder on D, can get 2 weakside help D blocks per game, but will get lit up by his man; usually for going for those weakside blocks.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:38 am
MrBraddy says:
How About J-smooth to Orlando for turk & skip?
June 17th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Ariose says:
Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY3y7d8-fdU
Please watch this and stop hating PLEASE. Josh Smith IS NOT A CANCER. It is very disrespectful for the national media(who only watches ONE Hawks game per year) to disrespect our franchise by perpetating such lies b/c they don’t want to take the time to actually PAY ATTENTION to the Hawks and write a piece that is FACTUALLY CORRECT. J-Smoove being a cancer is only thrown out like that whenver we play on TNT or ESPN(which is like once a year).
If the national Media actually took the time to talk to our local Beat writers and sports jouralists they would see that this junk is false. You ppl should be fired for printing such false information without factual research. It really pisses us hawks fans off. We want to be excited whenever we get some attention from media oputside of Atlanta, but we always end up dissapointed b/c you guys just throw out lies/trash that isn’t true about our team. I guess if your name is not Kobe, Lebron, or Wade then you people don’t care what you write about them.
FYI-Sekou Smith(Beat Writer for the Atlanta Hawks) has already confirmed the the Hawks ARE NOT SHOPPING JOSH SMITH.
….Eat Crow….
June 17th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
smoove chips says:
Straight up trade for Sasha,adam morisson and lamar’s entire twix stash for the 09-10 season.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
smoove chips says:
Just kidding guys.we keepin the twix.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
phillee says:
I like the idea of going after PG Miller free agent and trading Josh for a center. I think Chandler is cool but I also like Biedrens from I believe Golden State. Josh is exciting as hell but I rather win ugly if I had to. Someone else is right, PG must lead team in assists and Joe Johnson can’t be leading scorer, assists and 3PT. Need PG
June 19th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
JoshSmithFan says:
Josh Smith can be Lebron’s Scottie Pippen. Hawks will not make the playoff next season if they traded Josh Smith. A team that heavily relay on defense, how are they going to defend the paint? Joe Johnson was horribly in both series of the playoff. Josh Smith carried the team against the Heats. Bottom line, just trade Josh SMith, cause he needs to play for a better team than the choke-up Hawks. Go Josh Smith.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
DWW30 says:
Here is the deal the hawks need a true center thats all we need to go deeper in the playoffs. I get sick to my stomach when the front office sit back and let a guy like Gotart get shopped around and i have not heard the hawks name come up once for him coming here. Point blank they need a center because Josh is a good shot blocker but you need a center that can block and rebound beside josh and zaza do need to come off the bench and be a backup i do not want to see al starting damn center this year lets make a move hawks damn get gotart please!