Is Detroit Interested In Josh Smith?

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:17 pm

The Pistons are reportedly keeping an eye on the status of Atlanta swingman Josh Smith, according to The Detroit News.

Smith is a restricted free agent, and is reportedly seeking a deal in excess of $11 million.

If the Hawks aren't willing to give Smith that much money, the Pistons are expected to make a play for the athletic forward.

Link

evildallas · Post #2 » by **evildallas** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:23 pm

So far this off season I've read that Philadelphia, the Lakers, Miami and Detroit may all be interested in Josh Smith. By the time this is done, I expect most of the league will be listed as interested in Josh Smith at > 11M per season and still read that Atlanta doesn't want to pay that much.

I had hoped that the willingness to take on Bibby's salary would be a sign to everyone that the ownership group was willing to spend, but I guess there are no bounds to the rumor season.

JoshB914 · Post #3 » by **JoshB914** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:31 pm

Step 1: Chris Broussard says that "some say" the Hawks will not match an offer of 11M+ this off season.

Step 2: Detroit News reads the story, and writes in their paper that the Pistons would be interested if that was the case (who wouldn't).

Step 3: Si.com takes the story off the Detroit newswire and prints it as a rumor.

And that is why 95% of rumors end up being complete BS. Who knew that "some say" would become such a reliable source? Of course it's great to have an active rumor mill in the offseason and it makes for good discussion, but I don't put much stock in the Detroit story itself, which is based on nothing other than a paragraph from an ESPN Insider.

conleyorbust · Post #4 » by **conleyorbust** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:08 pm

JoshB914 wrote:Step 1: Chris Broussard says that "some say" the Hawks will not match an offer of 11M+ this off season.

Step 2: Detroit News reads the story, and writes in their paper that the Pistons would be interested if that was the case (who wouldn't).

Step 3: Si.com takes the story off the Detroit newswire and prints it as a rumor.

And that is why 95% of rumors end up being complete BS. Who knew that "some say" would become such a reliable source? Of course it's great to have an active rumor mill in the offseason and it makes for good discussion, but I don't put much stock in the Detroit story itself, which is based on nothing other than a paragraph from an ESPN Insider.

Haha, indeed. "Some" could be his senile grandma for all we know.

td00 · Post #5 » by **td00** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:24 pm

This is the first offseason in a while that the Hawks are actually among the headlines. When I would read the top news stories across the NBA on hoopshype, there would hardly ever be a snippet on the Hawks. Perhaps there is something good going on here.

I could just imagine that Woody would like a few top vets to come here and try and make his job easier. I have heard that he does have good rapport with Rasheed not that it means anything here.
Having Sheed back here in Atlanta doesn't sound realistic the more the rumors continue.
At one point, I thought having the opportunity to get Chauncey would be a nice get for the Hawks.
I stiil do, and would prefer him over Bibby, but to me it isnt realistic anymore unless Dumars is serious about gutting the current roster and try to get younger for his next playoff run.
If Dumars does lose 2 of his startes, I think they are no longer the threat they have been in the playoffs. Does Detroit really think that Stuckey takes over for Chauncey that easily? I don't.

But, the ASG has to pony up and keep Smoove, or get a great deal to justify getting rid of him. I would not think that there would be many here who would prefer to lose him in place of someone else. All the talk is about Smoove, but getting Chills to sign will be just as challenging. Its a shame that the ASG waited this long for both as it impedes us trying to improve the overall roster.

Post #6 » by **HMFFL** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:30 pm

evildallas wrote:So far this off season I've read that Philadelphia, the Lakers, Miami and Detroit may all be interested in Josh Smith. By the time this is done, I expect most of the league will be listed as interested in Josh Smith at > 11M per season and still read that Atlanta doesn't want to pay that much.

I had hoped that the willingness to take on Bibby's salary would be a sign to everyone that the ownership group was willing to spend, but I guess there are no bounds to the rumor season.

Don't forget about the Mavericks.

Detroit still has some pieces that we could use if we decided to do a SNT. I fully expect Josh Smith to be a Hawk next year and just find the articles to be rather entertaining.

evildallas · Post #7 » by **evildallas** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:53 pm

HMFFL wrote:Don't forget about the Mavericks.

I missed that one, but it doesn't surprise me. Although it's a bit weird in that they have a top flight PF. I believe Josh Smith is a max player at PF, but not at SF (just like AK47 and Shawn Marion). Detroit could offer interesting sign and trade options, but I believe it results in a short term window (there is another thread on this). I believe we have a longer window by investing in Josh Smith, but there is no certainty that we'll ever reach the promise land. I am certain it would suck to watch Josh in a Pistons uniform for the next decade.

Hawks · Post #8 » by **Hawks** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:31 pm

I am actually enjoying this. It will be interesting to say the least. Hawks should keep him in the end but they will likely be paying for it. Then again it is their fault for not re-signing him when they should have.