OT: If Joe Smith gets a buyout, Cleveland is his choice...

campybatman · Post #1 » by **campybatman** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:43 pm

The players (big men) with an expiring contract on the Thunder include Chris Wilcox, Donyell Marshall and Joe Smith. My feeling, based on this article, Marshall (trade) and Smith (buyout) seems like the likely candidates on the way out. I would extend Wilcox but he probably has the better trade value.

Curious if Boston could get in on this, but it appears uncertain.

Thunder forward Joe Smith has been traded eight times in his career, including by the Cavs last summer, and No. 9 could be on the way. Monday the Thunder are expected to signed restricted free agent forward Nenad Krstic to a offer sheet. The New Jersey Nets will have a week to match, though many suspect they will not.

If Kristic joins the Thunder, league executives believe Oklahoma City will look to trade one or two of their excess big men. On the final year of his contract and an established veteran, Smith is a candidate.

The Cavs cannot trade for Smith under league rules. However, there is also a chance he could request a buyout and become a free agent. In that case, the Cavs may give him a look and the feeling could be mutual. Smith will be a free agent next summer as well.

"I would have interest in the Cavs, I'm not sure they would be interested in me," Smith said. "They would be an option."

http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/1 ... ip_en.html

MVP16 · Post #2 » by **MVP16** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:47 pm

He didn't say Cleveland is his choice. He said it's an option...implying that he is going to consider several teams.

BillessuR6 · Post #3 » by **BillessuR6** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:47 pm

They traded him away and now he wants to go back? Come to Boston Joe...

Kefa461 · Post #4 » by **Kefa461** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:48 pm

Smith would be a good fit here....he's played with KG before in Minny. 8-)

chakdaddy · Post #5 » by **chakdaddy** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:53 pm

That article certainly doesn't state it as strongly as the topic, he just says Cleveland would be an option.

And I believe Donyell Marshall is a Philadelphia 76er.

I read on the thunder board though someone said that "Joe Smith would never play with Garnett again" voluntarily at least, was there some bad blood?

campybatman · Post #6 » by **campybatman** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:23 pm

Damn. Talk about nitpicking. He has a desire to rejoin Cleveland. That team is his choice as in if he'd a choice, they're a team at the top of his list.

Posters just love contradicting you on this board. Jeez.

Gant · Post #7 » by **Gant** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:37 pm

I believe Joe Smith and Garnett are close friends.

GuyClinch · Post #8 » by **GuyClinch** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:29 pm

Damn. Talk about nitpicking. He has a desire to rejoin Cleveland. That team is his choice as in if he'd a choice, they're a team at the top of his list.

Maybe you should learn to read rather then keep whining. The article says he has an "interest" in the Cavs. Who knows if they are on top of the list.

cfan79 · Post #9 » by **cfan79** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:53 pm

chakdaddy wrote:That article certainly doesn't state it as strongly as the topic, he just says Cleveland would be an option.

And I believe Donyell Marshall is a Philadelphia 76er.

I read on the thunder board though someone said that "Joe Smith would never play with Garnett again" voluntarily at least, was there some bad blood?

What do they know? I've read on many occasions that they're good friends.

Post #10 » by **Celtics_Champs** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:59 pm

We will just have to wait and find out. Remember last year P.J. Brown was kind of a surprise. I wonder if ainge surprises us again.

Edit: Yeah, the article doesn't really state that. lol. I am sure marbury has said boston is an option, but that doesn't mean we should start a thread saying, when NY buys out marbury, he's coming to boston.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #11 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:16 pm

thebirdman wrote:They traded him away and now he wants to go back? Come to Boston Joe...

Yes, please!

Fencer reregistered · Post #12 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:34 pm

Kefa461 wrote:Smith would be a good fit here....he's played with KG before in Minny.

More than just played with him.

Joe Smith is the guy they gave the illegal contract to that cost them all the picks, because KG wanted him around so badly.

cfan79 · Post #13 » by **cfan79** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:37 pm

LOL, Mchale can't do anything right. He not only makes bad picks and trades, but he also loses picks for stupid reasons. How does he still have a job?

Post #14 » by **Worm Guts** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:48 pm

Fencer reregistered wrote:
Kefa461 wrote:Smith would be a good fit here....he's played with KG before in Minny.

More than just played with him.

Joe Smith is the guy they gave the illegal contract to that cost them all the picks, because KG wanted him around so badly.

That wasn't the reason why.

cfan79 · Post #15 » by **cfan79** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:50 pm

Mchale got penalized for talking to Joe Smith about a new contract before the free agent signing period. I don't see what the big deal was.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #16 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:04 pm

The pathetic thing is, Minny screwed their franchise over for JOE SMITH...not even a guy who is a star, JOE SMITH!! :lol:

cfan79 · Post #17 » by **cfan79** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:07 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:The pathetic is, Minny screwed their franchise over for JOE SMITH...not even a guy who is a star, JOE SMITH!!

haha, at least he was a number 1 pick, but so was Olowokandi, Pervis Ellison and Kwame Brown.

InBoobieWeTrust · Post #18 » by **InBoobieWeTrust** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:21 pm

Cavs would probably get Joe for the same reason Dice said Cleveland was his #2 choice over Det....because we can offer a bigger contract(and are a contender)

cfan79 · Post #19 » by **cfan79** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:25 pm

InBoobieWeTrust wrote:Cavs would probably get Joe for the same reason Dice said Cleveland was his #2 choice over Det....because we can offer a bigger contract(and are a contender)

I still don't get why Mcdyess didn't go to Boston or Cleveland. Both teams are in a much better position to win.

Post #20 » by **Worm Guts** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:29 pm

cfan79 wrote:Mchale got penalized for talking to Joe Smith about a new contract before the free agent signing period. I don't see what the big deal was.

No, the Wolves got penalized for signing Joe Smith to an illegal contract.