MUST READ: Hawks next move?

[ATL DirtyBird]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... eling-love

GMs believe that Smith will be put on the market due to our cap concerns. Wow. Read it and lets discuss.

[HoopsGuru25]

I was actually worried until I saw who wrote the article. Chad Ford is clueless when it comes to the Hawks.

It's pretty obvious as to what the Hawks are doing. They've already cut corners on the draft,coaching search,and bench(not using the MLE and not negitionating with Crawford)to keep their "core" group of players together long term.

[Jamaaliver]

I believe there may be some truth to the story. But, it wouldn't make sense for us to trade J-Smoove for draft picks or an expiring deal. He is the biggest box office draw the Hawks have.

I'm not particularly a fan, but his highliht reel dunks are what brings the fans to the arena.

I am still in favor of packaging Crawford and Smoove and a First Round pick for a run at a legitmate all star at Center, SF or PG.

But right now, even with his poor shot selection and bad attitude, he's worth more to the team.

[evildallas]

No one in the media follow the Hawks close enough to give intelligent commentary on their moves.

Al was signed as a reasonable compromise. The new CBA could have lowered how much he could make or maybe it wouldn't have. He gets security. If he went to RFA then he would have likely gotten a max offer or close to it, so the Hawks get a discount over likely costs.

Jamal likely being gone next summer, yes that's true unless the team plays so well in post-season that it merits holding the team together into luxury tax area. Not being able to replace him? Well Jordan Crawford was drafted to fill that role ultimately. The team needs to contributions on a budget like some other teams get to augment the core getting paid. Being close to the luxury tax or even over next season won't matter because the ownership could stomach it for a year knowing that Bibby comes off the next summer. BTW, Jamal resigning is actually slightly higher now that Al is inked because matching an RFA offer for him would definitely have cost us Jamal.

Josh being traded? If that theory is so that the Hawks can play Al at PF then it ignores the defensive impact of Josh Smith and that we don't have a true C to plug in. There will ultimately come a time when Josh's future with the Hawks must be decided, but it isn't as soon as Chad Ford seems to think. It's 2012/2013, either that summer or by the trade deadline, but that was the case regardless of Al's signing. Josh's next contract will depend a lot on whether his skills evolve to be less dependent on physical gifts. At that time either Joe's huge contract will force the Hawks to make a tough decision or the new CBA might make it so that Josh signs an extension that ends the same time as Al and Joe's deals.

Once again the Hawks are going to need contributions from people on rookie deals and players making the minimum to round out the roster but that was always the plan.

[ATL DirtyBird]

^It would make no sense at all. Joshs defensive impact cant even be measured. If he were to leave we would immediately become one of the worst defensive teams in basketball.

[ATLballer]

If we could trade for a legit PG or Center then I would possibly trade Smoove allowing Horford to move to PF. But realistically who out there at center could we net for Smoove? I don't see anyone parting with a legit center.

[killbuckner]

Josh Smith is signed to a reasonable contract, is a borderline allstar, and is just 24. I just don't see how the Hawks woudl trade a piece like that unless it was to upgrade the roster. Dumping Marvin and rolling with Evans I could see. Dumping bibby and trying to figure something out at PG. But Josh Smith just isn't in the same category and this sounds like GM's engaging in some wishful thinking.

[TheMan44]

HEY!

Give me Josh Smith.

I'll give you J-Richardson and a cheap-shot power forward like Earl Clark or something.

Get it done! Now!

[MaceCase]

HEY!

Give me Josh Smith.

I'll give you J-Richardson and a cheap-shot power forward like Earl Clark or something.

Get it done! Now!

Sorry, you've already filled your former Hawk named Josh quota, enjoy.

[evildallas]

It's funny looking at the other boards. Two teams had posts about Horford being off the market next summer and two other teams had posts about Josh Smith possibly being on the market. The rest of the teams had no comment.

[tgo2223]

Sorry to troll. Im just curious as to whats being said with different players and different teams. Im a sixers fan myself . Im just wondering if u guys ever considered trying to trade for Melo. Maybe
Smith for Melo or
Smith+JJ for melo+nene
I didnt bother trying to match salaries, just throwing it out

[evildallas]

Sorry to troll. Im just curious as to whats being said with different players and different teams. Im a sixers fan myself . Im just wondering if u guys ever considered trying to trade for Melo. Maybe
Smith for Melo or
Smith+JJ for melo+nene
I didnt bother trying to match salaries, just throwing it out

We talked about it on the site this summer, but a couple of things work against it. First, our ownership is unlikely consider having two max salary players at one time. Second, we aren't on Carmelo's wish list. So he would become an expensive rental. His wife really wants to be where her career can flourish and I think that has been reduced to New York and Los Angeles. He seems to have his heart set on the Knicks. Personally I think the Clippers or Nets make a smarter fit, but it's his life.

[HMFFL]

Sorry to troll. Im just curious as to whats being said with different players and different teams. Im a sixers fan myself . Im just wondering if u guys ever considered trying to trade for Melo. Maybe
Smith for Melo or
Smith+JJ for melo+nene
I didnt bother trying to match salaries, just throwing it out

I doubt the Atlanta Spirit Group would make that type of investment even if Carmelo Anthony agreed to sign a contract extension.

Rumors are still floating around that the Hawks are for sale and are among the teams that are having a difficult time finding a buyer.

[Azsports77]

You guys are funny your owner and front office has a reputation for messing things up. They way over pay to resign a jerk in Joe Johnson who is a glorified role player I mean he is making over a 100 million that alone is insane. Now they sign Al Hartford to an extension worth 60 million which is fine he is worth that but the problem is how can they afford J Smith after both Johnson's horrifically big contract and AL Hartford 60 million .Ford may be a tool but unfortunately he is correct with his assertion your owner group will not go over the tax threshold not after last seasons shameful playoffs embarrassment I would hope they realize the insanity of being over the tax for a team that got annihilated last season in the playoffs. Also there the same people that instead of bring a superstar a real superstar to Atlanta they decided to over pay for a role player and why did they do that because they where dumb enough . So don't be surprised when the trade deadline comes and the HAwks trade J smith its inevitable.

[parson]

I just have to believe that the people who think Smoove'll be traded are forgetting about Jamal Crawford's expiring contract. That, or they somehow think we'd rather have Jamal than Smoove.

Nothing's changed from this summer: we'll trade Smoove for a PG (a really good PG) or for a center (again, for a GOOD center). There's no other reason to trade him.

[HMFFL]

You guys are funny your owner and front office has a reputation for messing things up. They way over pay to resign a jerk in Joe Johnson who is a glorified role player I mean he is making over a 100 million that alone is insane. Now they sign Al Hartford to an extension worth 60 million which is fine he is worth that but the problem is how can they afford J Smith after both Johnson's horrifically big contract and AL Hartford 60 million .Ford may be a tool but unfortunately he is correct with his assertion your owner group will not go over the tax threshold not after last seasons shameful playoffs embarrassment I would hope they realize the insanity of being over the tax for a team that got annihilated last season in the playoffs. Also there the same people that instead of bring a superstar a real superstar to Atlanta they decided to over pay for a role player and why did they do that because they where dumb enough . So don't be surprised when the trade deadline comes and the HAwks trade J smith its inevitable.

Jealous that we actually have a talented team and that we kept our star free agent this past off-season?

Cheers to your new additions: Hidayet Turkoglu & Hakim Warrick

That Amare Stoudemire guy was just a role player who you let go for two actual role players.

I'll take the ASG over Robert Sarver.

Back to the topic on hand.

[ATL DirtyBird]

You guys are funny your owner and front office has a reputation for messing things up. They way over pay to resign a jerk in Joe Johnson who is a glorified role player I mean he is making over a 100 million that alone is insane. Now they sign Al Hartford to an extension worth 60 million which is fine he is worth that but the problem is how can they afford J Smith after both Johnson's horrifically big contract and AL Hartford 60 million .Ford may be a tool but unfortunately he is correct with his assertion your owner group will not go over the tax threshold not after last seasons shameful playoffs embarrassment I would hope they realize the insanity of being over the tax for a team that got annihilated last season in the playoffs. Also there the same people that instead of bring a superstar a real superstar to Atlanta they decided to over pay for a role player and why did they do that because they where dumb enough . So don't be surprised when the trade deadline comes and the HAwks trade J smith its inevitable.

You sir, are dumb.

[parson]

OK, so I looked at Rotoworld's rumor that a Smoove-for-Kevin Love deal is being whispered (http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/player ... ?sport=NBA). Whew!! Talk about a lowering of defensive ability.

On the positive, Love would be $8 million cheaper, allowing us to keep Jamal. Also, Love would fit the offense better and rebound better.
On the negative side, we'd become a severely vertically-challenged defense.

But if we're going to do that, why not just move Marvelous to PF (he'd defend the position better than Love), Joe to SF and start Jamal. Then we'd save all of Smoove's money (please note the sarcasm). My point is - IF we trade Smoove - it'll HAVE to be for a center (or really, really good PG).

[ATLballer]

You guys are funny your owner and front office has a reputation for messing things up. They way over pay to resign a jerk in Joe Johnson who is a glorified role player I mean he is making over a 100 million that alone is insane. Now they sign Al Hartford to an extension worth 60 million which is fine he is worth that but the problem is how can they afford J Smith after both Johnson's horrifically big contract and AL Hartford 60 million .Ford may be a tool but unfortunately he is correct with his assertion your owner group will not go over the tax threshold not after last seasons shameful playoffs embarrassment I would hope they realize the insanity of being over the tax for a team that got annihilated last season in the playoffs. Also there the same people that instead of bring a superstar a real superstar to Atlanta they decided to over pay for a role player and why did they do that because they where dumb enough . So don't be surprised when the trade deadline comes and the HAwks trade J smith its inevitable.

Learn how to type. LOL get out of here moron. Every team in the NBA would love to have Horford at the price we got him and JJ is way more than a role player. He is a top 5 SG in the NBA. Get a clue dummy!

[parson]

Hey, Azsports77.

How about Smoove/Bibby for Nash/Lopez/Dudley? You get younger and re-gain an athletic slasher at PF. Bibby holds Dragic's hand. In 2 years, you'll lose Nash, anyway, and Bibby will leave the same time. The end result for you, then, will be Smoove for Lopez. We just got 2 years of Nash to make up the difference.