Josh Smith a Sun?

[ray ray]

There's some talk around the league that the Suns are going to make a run at Josh Smith. There's a good possibility that the Suns are going to offer Atlanta their own pick that we currently own and Barbosa for Josh Smith in a sign and trade. The Suns are going to offer him a Tayshuan Prince contract starting at 9 mil and finishing at 14 mil. There is speculation that Josh Smith does not want to return to the Hawks for whatever reason.

The Suns are going to try their hardest to Josh Smith to pair him up with Amare and Nash. They are also going to make some room to try to sign GG for about 2-3 yrs. The Suns have a plan in place and they like the possibilities of teaming up Josh Smith and Amare both offensively and defensively.I really don't see this happening in my opinion but Steve Kerr has made up his mind not to take a downfall once Steve Nash and Shaq retire. They you would have Amare at about 17 mil, Boris at 9mil, Josh Smith at 10 mil then they would make a play for Chris Paul.

We shall see.

[Mr. Sun]

Sounds like someone made this up out of thin air.

[albasuna]

I don't know what to believe but it would make a bit of sense to get Josh Smith to give Paul some incentive to sign with the Suns. That Barbosa + #1 for Josh Smith is a bit interesting, I dunno what to think of this.

[The Nash Era]

Don't know whether to believe it or not, but I'd do it.

There goes all 3 point shooting, but I wouldn't mind at all for someone like Smith who can protect the rim and run the break as good as anyone in the league and put on a show with his dunks.

[Mr. Sun]

I tell you, it makes more sense to just use the pick then trading it (a draft pick is always going to be easier on the budget). I rather trade Bell because LB has a few more tricks and is younger to keep Giricek. I think having someone like either Hibbert or Randolph would make CP3 think of the scoring possibilities.

[TASTIC]

NBA Live isn't real folks....well it's real bad, but not reality.

Smith would be a top 3 guy I'd want on the Suns though...definitely someone to target...

[JustMoe]

How is this even supposed to work? Smith is going to be a free agent after this season, and sign&trade deals can't be made before the draft, therefor it's impossible to trade Barbs + the Hawks pick for him, meaning we'd have to draft the guy Atlanta wants, wait a few months and then complete this trade.
And besides: Mace is absolutely right, this is nowhere close to what the Hawks could get for Josh, not to mention his actual value.

[-SDU-]

ray ray, you have come out with some supposed "rumours" from supposed "inside sources" before and never have they turned out to be true

if you want to discuss Josh Smith as a sun, and possible trades, cool, im all for it. I actually would LOVE josh smith here and would definately do the trade you mentioned, but do i believe that its actually been discussed by anyone intimately involved in it? no

just rumours fed to people eager to hear them by people who are purely speculating

for the record, i like it, would do it and hope it happens

amare smith front court would PWN

wherever he goes, i dont think smith wants to stay either

[scootfu602]

I don't really know whether to believe this or not, but if it is a valid rumor....I would do it in a heartbeat. Get it done Kerr.

[impulsenine]

Josh is great and everything, but we already have two great PF's. Shouldn't we be more worried about our backup PG and C spots?

[ClosAZ]

2 thoughts on this. 1st being I can't see the Suns taking on another big contract given their current salary structure the next 2 years after this.

2nd since the Suns currently don't like playing their rookies I wouldn't be surprised to see them move the Atl pick. What I'd like them to do if a team bit out there is trade the Atl pick and Barbosa for a top 5 pick and a defensive wing guy out there for example

[WTFsunsFTW]

Ray Ray is a lying rumor-mill guys. If you aren't familiar with his previous "talk around the league" reports, do yourself a favor a print this thread out and use it as toilet paper. It will come to more use that way.

Should be locked imo. Blatant attempts to spreading undocumented rumors should be banworthy.

[chrice]

What I'd like them to do if a team bit out there is trade the Atl pick and Barbosa for a top 5 pick and a defensive wing guy out there for example

Barbosa has value, but the problem right now is that, with the Hawk's standings, we would have a hard enough time trying to move from a non-lotto pick into the top 5 if we packaged him up. Even if we were able to pull off a trade to move up that high, the player we would get in the package would probably be worthless. Josh Smith is a guy who can defend at the 3/4.

[HootieRules]

Not a chance Atlanta does that.

If the Atlanta pick falls in the lottery and we can get a solid point guard like Augustin I would go that direction. You'd have a lot of flexibility when Nash and Shaq retire capwise. You'd have a nice backcourt with a young point and Barbosa and Amare up front. I guess it all depends on whether you think guys like Augustin or Collison could be legit NBA floor leaders but from what I've seen they are studs.

[TASTIC]

Dbdynasty....paging Dbdynasty...


I call bluff...unless you have some sources ray ray? if you do, PM me, otherwise I'm locking this before you get flamed more than a queen in Utah

[Biff]

Lay down the crackpipe buddy. The Hawks will do everything they can to keep Smith and his value to them is a lot higher than Barbosa and a mid round pick.

[jax98]

Outsider looking in (Bulls fan)

Josh Smith has extremely low basketball IQ and wouldn't understand how to play with Nash. He's a guy who has become very overrated due to inflated stats and block count. He gets half his blocks from behind because he lets his man beat him off the dribble in the first place.

Barbosa is on an absolutely terrific deal and is the superior player. There's no reason to trade him away, especially when Raja Bell is older and will decline one day.

I agree that you need a SF for when Grant is gone, so I have a player for you if you're interested..

Andres Nocioni. He has his limitations, but is on a decent declining salary and is a tough player. He shoots too many 3's for the Bulls' liking, but on Phoenix that would be welcomed.

A 3-team deal with Toronto involving Rasho Nesterovic could be interesting for all parts:

Phoenix trades:

F Boris Diaw $9M

Phoenix receives:

F Andres Nocioni $8M
2009 2nd round pick

Toronto trades:

C Rasho Nesterovic $8.4M (Expiring)

Toronto receives:

F Boris Diaw $9M

Chicago Trades:

F Andres Nocioni $8M
2009 2nd round pick

Chicago receives:

C Rasho Nesterovic $8.4M (Expiring)

Bulls clear some necessary salary, Toronto gets an all-around SF to compliment Bosh and Phoenix gets a SF who can score, rebound and play 2 positions (SF/PF)

Thoughts?

[-SDU-]

my desire to have nocioni on this team is well documented here

but so is my blind faith towards diaw

i would do the trade, but only just

i still think that if we keep diaw, and start him when hill retires, we will be glad we did

[nevetsov]

Not bad, Nocioni is a great player and would thrive with the Suns but by trading Diaw we are effectively losing our backup at both the PF and C positions. As its likely that Skinner will not be back next season, that would leave us with no one behind Shaq and Amare.

Nash
Bell/ Barbosa/ Strawberry
Hill/ Giricek/ Nocioni/ Tucker
Stoudemire
O'Neal

Despite his up and down performance overall this year, Diaw's versatility gives us a valuable dimension off the bench and is firmly entrenched as our third big. Diaw has shown signs of improvement since the Marion trade, and now that his role is more defined, we are expecting a more consistent effort, and a production output that is worthy of his $9M salary.

[jax98]

my desire to have nocioni on this team is well documented here

but so is my blind faith towards diaw

i would do the trade, but only just

i still think that if we keep diaw, and start him when hill retires, we will be glad we did

I had a feeling Suns fans would be torn on this. So if it needs tweeking, I'm definitely game. Nocioni isn't an upgrade over Diaw in terms of talent. I was just thinking you could use a guy like Noc in the playoffs where he brings a lot of toughness and never takes a play off. He can frustrate the hell out of every opposing SF and his offensive style would fit well with Nash & Amare, since he can slash and shoot the three-ball.

The Bulls would like to move him, so it can open up minutes for Tyrus Thomas & Thabo Sefolosha. Nocioni has also falen out of favour in Chicago because his style of play doesn't fit our team that well, whereas a team like Phoenix or Golden State (up-tempo) would be perfect for him. I even think Nocioni could be a 20 pt scorer on a team like that.

Not bad, Nocioni is a great player and would thrive with the Suns but by trading Diaw we are effectively losing our backup at both the PF and C positions. As its likely that Skinner will not be back next season, that would leave us with no one behind Shaq and Amare.

Nash
Bell/ Barbosa/ Strawberry
Hill/ Giricek/ Nocioni/ Tucker
Stoudemire
O'Neal

Despite his up and down performance overall this year, Diaw's versatility gives us a valuable dimension off the bench and is firmly entrenched as our third big. Diaw has shown signs of improvement since the Marion trade, and now that his role is more defined, we are expecting a more consistent effort, and a production output that is worthy of his $9M salary.

I definitely see your issue with that.

Had Aaron Gray not been such a positive surprise for us, I would have offered him as well. The 2009 2nd rounder I suppose could be changed to a 2008 2nd rounder so you could pick up a big body in the draft. I know it's not going to be an impact player, but I don't see any other possibility..

Toronto is low on big men themselves, so I don't see who they could give up. But since this trade would be made over the summer, it gives you guys time to find a serviceable center in free agency.