Josh Smith?

[fotownbuckeye]

Apparently he has told the Hawks he wants to be traded.

Would we have any interest?

Money wise it could be done for Beasley, Wes and Randolph

[bluethunder0005]

I love Smith's game. His man defense isn't great but his help side defense is amazing. He's a really good scorer as well, especially if you can make him stop taking long jumpers. Plus despite what anyone may believe he is a SF and plays his best at that position. I'd gladly take him on this team.

[The J Rocka]

http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2012/03/08/a ... logs_hawks

Even as Josh Smith is having a strong season for the Hawks he has let the team know he wants to be traded as the March 15 deadline approaches, according to people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.

And the reasons for Smith’s dissatisfaction with the team now have to make the Hawks wonder if they will be able to sign him to a contract extension next season.

By the end of last season Smith wanted out of Atlanta because he believed he was singled out for unfair criticism by coaches and media. Those concerns have died down for the most part this season but now Smith believes he needs a fresh start with a franchise where he can better reach his potential on and off the court, according to one of the people with knowledge of Smith’s thinking.

The person said one of Smith’s complaints is that he believes the Hawks didn’t do enough to promote him for selection to the All-Star team, which he thinks contributed to lesser players being voted to the team by Eastern Conference coaches. Smith, an Atlanta native who has played his entire seven-year career with the Hawks, also would like to play for a franchise he believes is more committed to winning a championship.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Hawks have taken calls from teams interested in acquiring Smith—Golden State is among the teams who have inquired. But the Hawks so far have given no indication that they intend to part with Smith, who likely would command a high price in a trade.

[Krapinsky]

I love Smith's game. His man defense isn't great but his help side defense is amazing. He's a really good scorer as well, especially if you can make him stop taking long jumpers. Plus despite what anyone may believe he is a SF and plays his best at that position. I'd gladly take him on this team.

What are you basing this on? He hasn't played any SF this year, and barely played any last year -- during which time his numbers were better at the PF position. The year before that he also didn't play SF at all.

Maybe he can defend the perimeter adequately enough, but on offense he is not a primary ball handler and he is not someone you want taking a high volume of 3 pt shots. In Adelman's offense in particular, he likes a SF that can stretch the floor, and especially hit that corner/side 3.

I like Smith a lot, but let's get real, on the Wolves he would play the same role that Adelman is using Derrick Williams in.

[Klomp]

I could see a Smith/Gasol type trade. NO WAY does Smith have Beasley/Johnson/Randolph value, thats way too low.

[Viljanen]

Isn´t Smith similar to D.Williams? They look similar to me. I think I would stay with ours.

[LordBaldric]

This guys sounds like a major league doofus. Upset that the team didn't promote him enough for the All-Star game? Really?

[Saltine]

I don't think he's a good fit, he's making $12.4 million, $13.2 million next season, and he has a 15% Trade Kicker. He isn't worth $15 million next season, Williams provides similar production, more offense and less defense, for 70% less. And his trade value is rather high, something like Williams+Beas+picks. Way too high for a guy who can leave in 1 year, and who has a lot of issues with his shooting.

[[RCG]]

If Hawks want Webster + Beasley + Miller then turn Williams into Gordon.

Rubio/Ridnour/Barea
Gordon/Lee
Johnson/Smith
Love/Smith
Pekovic/Milicic

But I would be perfectly fine with keeping the roster as constructed!

[Narf]

I don't think he's a good fit, he's making $12.4 million, $13.2 million next season, and he has a 15% Trade Kicker. He isn't worth $15 million next season, Williams provides similar production, more offense and less defense, for 70% less. And his trade value is rather high, something like Williams+Beas+picks. Way too high for a guy who can leave in 1 year, and who has a lot of issues with his shooting.

If that's his trade value i wouldn't touch him.
I don't think it is, and if he could be had for a reasonable price I'd love to get him. Smith would be a great small ball PF with Love at C and Beas or Williams at SF.

[Narf]

Also, if the reports are true and Smith wants out I think he'd waive his trade clause.

[karch34]

Isn´t Smith similar to D.Williams? They look similar to me. I think I would stay with ours.

Agreed. Doesn't do anything for me at what it would cost.

[Breakdown777]

I like Josh Smith as a player, but I don't know how he fits in here. I think its interesting that he wants to leave where he grew up, similar to what LeBron ended up doing....only Smith is asking for a trade from his hometown. Maybe a move like this would help him mature a bit, but I'm not sure.

There are quite a few big names that have been up for grabs all season. I wonder if many of these borderline all-star and legit all star types will end up swapping teams when they all realize that nobody is getting Dwight.

[zerogravity15]

I don't think he really fits here. He can play some 3, but I think his best position is at the 4. It's nice that can he hit a 17-20 ft jumper, but he's better around the the basket instead of floating around the perimeter.

[Saltine]

I'm not sure why people always want to get more PF's around here, if he plays at SF we might as well put Williams at SF and forget the trade...
Smith's shooting sucks, seriously sucks this season.

two-point shots -> 31 percent (39% last season (45% and 47% with dunks))
free-throw percentage -> 57.7 percent (72.5% last season)
Both are sliding, not a good sign for a 26 year old.

[Scottypax]

When did Derrick Williams become a defensive minded player? He's not really comparable to Josh Smith. One player is a starter the other is a potentially packed bench player.

We need to get more aggressive and more size. Josh Smith fits that role. It's a coach's duty to help industrialize on a players positional arch. I don't think Josh Smith has been under the tutelage of great coaches while he's been with the Hawks.

Certainly more size is always healthy. A player that will play team defense. Derrick Williams is not a team defender and he's definitely too young to be a caliber starter. I like Williams but I'm not willing to wait three years until he's consistent enough to start. If we can get a starting caliber player back in return, I'm all for it.

Our defense will carry us. Our offense is already ranked quite high. Most games we find ways to score. I want to be able to beat the Spurs, OK, and Memphis. All three of these teams have size and play team defense.