Wolves-Hawks-Kings

[Mattya]

Wolves In:Josh Smith
Wolves Out:Kevin Love

Reason: For me as much as I love Kevin Love's impact, it really hurts us not having another rim protector. Lately I think Kevin Loves defense has been a lot better, and his impact is huge as he is the only guy that seems to get to the rim consistently, and is shooting nearly 90 percent from there. I think it improves the team overall on both sides of the ball though. It will be interesting to see some of your guys opinions, as we do take back more salary as well.

Kings In:Jamal Crawford
Kings Out:Sam Dalembert

Reason: I'm a bigger Jamal Crawford fan then most and think a Evans Crawford duo would be very tough to guard as both are bigger guards that can handle the ball. The only question is if their is enough ball to go around.

Hawks In:Kevin Love, Sam Dalembert
Hawks Out:Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford

Reason: just reading their board a little, the really want a center and to improve their rebounding. Jamal Crawford wants a change, and this trade saves them money. This makes their post game into one of the strongest in the east in my opinion, with a lot of varieties of Lineups. This makes them a little thinner on the wings but I think Brewer could be added if necessary.

Sorry for spelling errors, typed this from my phone.

[allweneedisLOVE]

Kevin is not the problem. We give up about 65 wide open 3's a game.

[Mattya]

Kevin Love is also a culprit of giving up open shots too. He has to because he is to slow laterally to recover if someone drive past him. He also needs help on defense, and when doubles come wide open shots are there. I'm not saying Smith is going to stop all the uncontested shots, but a Josh Smith and Darko defensive combo, won't need help from double teams most nights.

[teven_1]

We also become even more inept on Offense. I don't watch J smoove on the regular but dont think he has much of a post game, and don't know how good his straight up D is. Always thought he was more of a wing player put at PF cuz they don't know where exactly he fits.

Watching our loss the Warriors was very disheartening, we flat out just didn't play. Personally I put the onus on our guards. With Webster and Flynn out they are easily our weakest positions.

[shangrila]

Kevin Love outrebounds entire teams on his own. He's not going anywhere.

[mandurugo]

I'd definitely do it, but I'm not so sure Sacramento would. Smith is without a doubt an upgrade over Love.

[shangrila]

See, I would have said that at the start of the season. But I don't think, outside of blocks, that Smith is much better then Love. He's a worse rebounder, worse shooter, comparable scorer I guess, etc. There's just not as big of a gap as there was at the start of the season at this point.

[mandurugo]

See, I would have said that at the start of the season. But I don't think, outside of blocks, that Smith is much better then Love. He's a worse rebounder, worse shooter, comparable scorer I guess, etc. There's just not as big of a gap as there was at the start of the season at this point.

This year Smith is shooting at a higher percentage than Love at shooting percentage and 3-point percentage (though not at the free throw line), perhaps there is some advanced stat metric that changes this in Love's favor? As you point out he blocks significantly more shots than Love, he also gets a many more steals a game and assists a game than Love. He is a very good defensive player who is also getting it done on offense - I still think he is easily the better player of the two.

[shangrila]

But how much of his FG% is the easy stuff, like alley oops on the fast break, that Love doesn't really get? I'd be honestly surprised if Smith turned out to be a better half court scorer.

Assists? I'll admit that was surprising, but having watched Smith play it makes sense. He handles the ball a lot more then I thought he should and he regularly grabs a rebound, takes it down the court and passes off to a trailing Joe Johnson for 3.

But both have their pros and cons, so I guess it's just personal opinion.

[Peezo]

I'd definitely do it, but I'm not so sure Sacramento would. Smith is without a doubt an upgrade over Love.

I would say that it is absolutely DOUBTFUL. I don't know who is better, but I probably prefer Love. I think a lot of basketball fans/teams/coaches would as well. That to me is the definition of doubt.

I don't hate the trade, but I think Love is also a superior shooter (from all spots on the floor minus the paint) than J Smoove so I would rather have the floor spacer for this squad.

[mandurugo]

I would say that it is absolutely DOUBTFUL. I don't know who is better, but I probably prefer Love. I think a lot of basketball fans/teams/coaches would as well. That to me is the definition of doubt.

I don't hate the trade, but I think Love is also a superior shooter (from all spots on the floor minus the paint) than J Smoove so I would rather have the floor spacer for this squad.

ah, my mistake - I meant I have no doubts about who the better player is. But it seems strange to insist Love is the better shooter when statistics argue otherwise. Perhaps you've checked a site that shows percentages from different locations on the floor - I certainly haven't. But as you and Shangri-la both say, who is better is just personal opinion. The real question is who is a better fit for the team, no other question is relevant. I think Smith would significantly improve the wolves, though I certainly understand there are fans who disagree. I think the loss in rebounding would be more than made up in having a player who makes an impact on the defensive side of the game, can reliably shoot the three, and can actually finish an alley oop on the break, lead a break, and score in the paint. This is not to suggest Love is a terrible player, he is a pretty good starter. I just think his limitations will be exacerbated in play-off games.

[SO_MONEY]

Count me in!

I would say with the way Love is playing and the fact we are absorbing salary from a team I would like to see a pick of sorts head our way, but I would do it anyways.

[Devilzsidewalk]

its okay, but I really doubt trading a PF w/ one set of clear strengths and weaknesses for a PF w/ another set is going to make much difference. Doesn't fix the main problem of no half court offense from the perimeter

[Mr Dew]

A few thoughts...

1.) Why does this have to be a 3-way deal? This could easily be two separate trades.
2.) Love for Smith is debateable and probably fair value for both teams, but isn't Smith a better compliment to Horford than Love would be?
3.) Why would Atlanta trade Crawford for Dalembert? He is one of the top 6th men in the NBA, plays a vital role for them and both guys are going to be FAs. Even if they can't resign Crawford, it seems like they would be better off just holding onto him and letting him walk than trading for Dalembert and letting him walk.
4.) Even though I still prefer Smith, I don't see Kahn trading the one guy on our team that provides the national exposure that Love does and is developing into a potential all-star.

[Darko Miliminutes]

Trade Love for Tyreke. DMC and Love...let's go sell it to sac town.

[Worm Guts]

No

[slinky]

ah, my mistake - I meant I have no doubts about who the better player is. But it seems strange to insist Love is the better shooter when statistics argue otherwise. Perhaps you've checked a site that shows percentages from different locations on the floor - I certainly haven't. But as you and Shangri-la both say, who is better is just personal opinion. The real question is who is a better fit for the team, no other question is relevant. I think Smith would significantly improve the wolves, though I certainly understand there are fans who disagree. I think the loss in rebounding would be more than made up in having a player who makes an impact on the defensive side of the game, can reliably shoot the three, and can actually finish an alley oop on the break, lead a break, and score in the paint. This is not to suggest Love is a terrible player, he is a pretty good starter. I just think his limitations will be exacerbated in play-off games.

I am not sure making 9 of 23 3 pointers makes him a reliable 3 pt shooter.

Some links to consider. Not the whole story, but some interesting bits if you go off eFG. Love is better in close and inside, but Smith a better jump shooter. Check out the opponent 48 as well. Is JSmith that much of an improvement over Love defensively? Keep in mind blocking shots is not the only part of defense. (Read: Andris Biedrins threads for more evidence)

http://www.82games.com/1011/10ATL10.HTM
http://www.82games.com/1011/10MIN13.HTM

I just don't think Love is the problem. And because of that I am not willing to give up on him for a guy who may be a slight upgrade but also makes 4 times as much as Love. Would much rather spend the cap money on some players to help out over the next year and use bird rights to resign Love to a deal over the cap, then spend the cap on smith now, and not have as much cap money left for FA/trades.

Wouldn't be disappointed if it happened, would love to see Darko and Smith swatting shots. And Smith flying down a wing. But I still believe as I did last year with Jefferson, that if we get improved perimeter defense we wouldn't be having this discussion. I especially have not been impressed with the PG on ball defense. Wide open 3 pointers occur when the PG gets into the lane and everyone else needs to help.

FWIW, there is nothing all to special about Josh Smith playoff numbers in ATL