New Sekou blog: Smith, Morris

[atl_fan]

Switching lanes
By Sekou K Smith | Saturday, July 26, 2008, 10:11 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

THE BASEMENT - This time a month ago I was busy calculating just how long it might take for the Hawks to wrap up negotiations with both Josh Smith and Josh Childress before putting the finishing touches on the roster in time for training camp.

Little did I know that I’d be sitting here this morning trying to wrap my dome around the fact that there’s a good chance neither Smith nor Childress would be in a Hawks uniform this season.

Childress, of course, is already gone.

Smith, on the other hand, is still in the crosshairs. But it’s not looking good for the Hawks on that front.

There are at least two, blockbuster sign-and-trade proposals the Hawks are chewing on regarding Smith (one from a Western Conference power and the other from an Eastern Conference big dog) that could dramatically change the landscape in Hawksville.

The “proverbial” ball appears to be clearly in the Hawks’ court regarding both opportunities, and we should presume many more. Because if they are resigned to the fact that they don’t intend to pay Smith a salary commensurate with what he feels he’s worth, then there only recourse is to sign-and-trade him.

The leverage we all assumed the Hawks had with their own restricted free agents went up in smoke last week when Childress bounced.

Anyone that doesn’t think Smith will wait this thing out as long as the Hawks is living in a dream world. If you don’t think he’ll sign a qualifying offer, play out his season and walk next summer as an unrestricted free agent you’re crazy.

If the Hawks want to get anything in return (and keep in mind they get absolutely nothing if he plays out the year and walks, NOTHING), they have to act now.

The tricky thing about sign-and-trades is that all sides not only have to agree on the deal but all three sides want to walk away from the deal the winner (whether it’s acknowledged by others or not).

With one loss already on the books this summer, the Hawks simply cannot afford another.

AFTER THE FACT: If you believe what you read, half the NBA considered going to Europe before Childress decided to take the groundbreaking leap.

I don’t believe. I think it’s extremely convenient (and totally disingenuous), mostly for these agents involved, that they can lay claim to being pursued by Olympiakos or any of these other European teams after the fact.

Whether you love or hate the decision, Childress and his camp have to be given credit for their vision. So for everyone else to claim to have spurned the same opportunities is just a bit sketchy to me.

ON THE VERGE: There hasn’t been a whole lot of chatter about Randolph Morris since he made an appearance at the Hawks’ mini-camp at Philips Arena.

But several of my spies contend that he’s set to join the Hawks’ roster for this upcoming season (on a two-year, minimum deal that would allow the Hawks to bolster their frontcourt rotation significantly).

This would also be a splendid opportunity for Morris to dig in and make his status in the NBA permanent (not necessarily with the Hawks but just in the general sense) by proving that he’s a legitimate big man.

And the opportunity to play behind Al Horford and perhaps Zaza Pachulia should provide ample opportunity for Morris to make his case.

MO, MO, MO: I do like the acquisition of Mo Evans, though not necessarily as a replacement for Childress.

How smooth would it have been to add him to the mix along with the Hawks’ top eight rotation (from the playoff series against Boston)?

The role Evans can play for this team has nothing to do with offense and so much more to do with what he can do defensively.

The Hawks have needed a defensive stopper (if you will) to help alleviate that pressure on Joe Johnson. Evans could be the off-the-bench stopper the Hawks haven’t had the past few years, a guy that comes in alongside Johnson on the defensive end and a guy who can also stroke the ball from deep to keep team’s off balance on the other end of the floor.


http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared ... lanes.html

[raleigh]

Good news on Morris.

Not sure what to think of the Smith news...

[JoshB914]

Why do these guys refuse to pay Smith?

[atl_fan]

I think the news on Smith depends on what we get back, My preference is to just sign him. But if we get a young big man, a fture 1st and add some more depth to our bench, I couldn't complain.

[HoopsGuru25]

I think one of the teams he's talking about is Detroit. I have no idea who he would be talking about in the West...maybe Utah is offering AK and some other garbage. Even if the deal is equal value(which I'm not sure it would be)I'd prefer to keep Smith if all he wants is $12 million a year.

[JoshB914]

I don't understand what the hold up is with Josh? You'd think that the Monta Ellis contract would give ASG/Sund/Smith a very clear indicator of what he's worth.

[HMFFL]

It doesn't help having a natural 4 playing the 5. That allows more doors to open for the ASG and makes it easier for them to pursue a SNT that involves Josh.

[Hawks]

Just make something happen. It is becoming clear Smoove isn't likely to return now. Just do the deal already.

[Harry10]

i'm guessing the EC big dog are the Pistons, and i'm guessing the WC power might be the Nuggets.

[Hawks]

Not sure why it would be the Nuggets. They have nothing we won't beside Melo and they are not trading him.

[Harry10]

Not sure why it would be the Nuggets. They have nothing we won't beside Melo and they are not trading him.

SA and HOU have nothing to trade, i don't see NOH wanting to change their roster, Diaw and Barbosa are not good enough to get Smoove, i don't think the LAC would trade Kaman for Smoove, that only leaves LAL and DEN, and Odom and Farmer are not equal value for Smoove..... but i'm just guessing.

well, DEN was willing to trade Melo for Richard Jefferson ..... and Smith is alot better than Jefferson.

[BMF Jet Jaguar]

i wonder who the two teams are

okafor?

[BMF Jet Jaguar]

or the mavs might trade josh howard plus picks

chicago could do deng+noah or something

odom(NOOOOO)

denver? melo?


EDIT: its probably andris beidresjaslka from GSW for the west.

[Walton'sBeard!]

Not sure why it would be the Nuggets. They have nothing we won't beside Melo and they are not trading him.

SA and HOU have nothing to trade, i don't see NOH wanting to change their roster, Diaw and Barbosa are not good enough to get Smoove, i don't think the LAC would trade Kaman for Smoove, that only leaves LAL and DEN, and Odom and Farmer are not equal value for Smoove..... but i'm just guessing.

well, DEN was willing to trade Melo for Richard Jefferson ..... and Smith is alot better than Jefferson.

Well, Portland might like Smith playing here at SF. We have some trade assets (including a large expiring). But I certainly wouldn't call us a "western power". I also wonder what team this guy is refering to.

[BMF Jet Jaguar]

ha you don't want smith playing the 3 for you.

[geeman]

Re: New Sekou blog: Smith, Morris
by HMFFL on Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:05 am

It doesn't help having a natural 4 playing the 5. That allows more doors to open for the ASG and makes it easier for them to pursue a SNT that involves Josh.Best Atlanta Agent. Thanks Again

I think is the question really is who would you perfer play power foward long term Josh Smith or
Al hordford.... I love Josh but, to me Al is a no brainer! AND IF THIS YEAR IS ANY INDICATOR WE WILL HAVE TO MAX OUT AL HORFORD. maybe now is a go time to move Josh Smith. Could you see Al and Carmelo or Lamar at your forwards and JJ ....Wow

[reazun]

well Im glad I waited to buy that Smith jersey. I wish we could keep him, but if we get a good trade for him then its ok. Now its time to see if Sund is worth anything. Truthfully, I think Sund will screw it up. He sucked in Seattle. But im trying to be optimistic. Maybe we can land Okafor or something.

[Skyhawk1]

The Hawks must trade J. Smith in case both parts can't reach a long term agreement this off season. You don't want to get nothing in return for him. I'm glad the Hawks are not willing to pay Smith an all-star kind of money though, cause he's good, but far from being at the elite level. Yes, he plays for a .500 team , so let's just be rational for a second. Think about a trade involving our hometown heroe + anyone outside JJ and Horford for C. Billups, Sheed ? What about the Mavs with J. Howard ? I know we'd have to get a big somehow in that deal. I think we got some good options out there. I love what the Pistons could offer us. They're the team you want to trade with due to their "desperate" situation. Get it done Sund !

[princeofpalace]

This is the only quazi Pistons related rumor that Im willing to entertain at all but I just dont know what would get it done. The rumored Tay + Amir for Smith deal doesnt really interest me and I doubt its that appealing for you because Pistons are extremely weak at SF and quite frankly Smith is more suited at the powerforward position and I doubt that Hawks would be willing to give up Smith for another SF and a project. But I really like Smith and see him potentailly becoming a 20/10 player in a couple of years so I hope that this rumor would be legit and that the Eastern conference big dog would be Detroit.

[NDaATL]

Detroit has nothing on their roster worth Smith. Nothing. I really can't see how the ASG is being this stupid, just sign Smith. 12 million a year is a GREAT deal for Smith.