Atlanta Hawks: On Josh Smith

[evildallas]

I understand Josh Smith ire. The team didn't have faith in him, they didn't build around him, and they used the system against him. To me Josh Smith has gotten as good as his is in spite of the organization and not because of it. The move to use the RFA rules against him made sense at the time. Josh's dependence on physical advantage to succeed was unlikely to carry him through another contract extension. Even now I question whether he's honed his skills enough to be worth a max deal (which is what it would take to resign him).

Now while understand his ire, he needs to let it go for his own good. He should hide these feelings. Doubts about whether the team is structured to compete for a title. Valid. Plans on approaching it purely as a business decision. Fine. Holding a grudge for 5 years is going to cause potential new bosses question whether you are a wise investment. My advice don't complain about how restricted free agency works because nothing can be gained from it.

I don't know about the thought he can't sign an extension, but I do know he shouldn't. My understanding of the Extension rules is that he could add 3 years to his contract and the first year could be 107.5% of his ending salary. I'm unclear if that would be an instant increase or the following year, but either way it is less than the max. It would either be 4 years at 59M or 63M. If you he finishes next season and signs elsewhere for the max he'll earn 79M over 5 years. If he finished next year and then received the Joe Johnson treatment (absolute max from Atlanta) he'd mad 102M over 6 years. Each of those terms is from this summer. Does Josh think he'll sign another contract for 16-20M a year at age 30? or does he think he can get a max deal next summer? Next summer is far more likely than age 30. The rules as currently constructed just don't favor the early extension for him or anyone else who thinks they can get the max for their 3rd deal.

One final point. I'm not sure Josh's trade value is that high right now. The problem is that unless you know you are going to pay him the full max next summer he might walk. Toronto would be a good trade partner, but fans fear he'd walk next summer. Same story with Milwaukee. You'll hesitate giving up too much if you fear you might just be getting a 1 year rental. Furthermore, if you doubt Atlanta's willingness to max him you might avoid the trade and just try to sign him outright.

[ballislife]

I'd trade the 8th pick for him from Toronto... the only problem would be after a season, when he's a FA. If there were some assurances that he would welcome the change and be optimistic about the situation, I'd go through with that deal.

[Little Digger]

MT has strong sources inside the warriors offices

here's a line from his post-lottery article

And don't be surprised if the Warriors make a play for Atlanta forward Josh Smith.

http://www.montereyherald.com/sports/ci ... -nba-draft

[HMFFL]

I just created a topic related to Sund and his latest Q&A. Here is the question related to Josh Smith.

MC: Will you try to sign Josh Smith to an extension?

Sund: I’m not going to get into contract stuff.

MC: Josh had a great year production-wise but–

Sund: I think it was the best year Josh has had, at least in the four years I’ve been here. I’ve said it for the record and I’ll say it again: Irrespective of how the voting came out, he should have been an All-Star. I thought Josh had an absolutely terrific year. He did a great job of making sure, hey, we lost some huge production with [Al] Horford and he picked it up.

MC: But his offensive efficiency fell off, and a large part of that is because he’s taking more shots away from the basket and not shooting–

[FCNATL85]

Would you go for this?

Gasol and Mc Roberts with LAL 1st 13

Smoothe, 2nd ATL 12 to LAL along with C. Magette

T. Thomas to ATL along with CHA #2 (Drummond?)

ATL shed some salary and get some return for Smoothe. Still keep this year draft. in bold the additions. build some competition at the C position. Still plenty of tradeable assetts with Marvin, Thomas and Zaza depending on needs and production...

Teague- Miller (FA)- resign Pargo
JJ- resign Tmac and Green
Marvin- Pietrus (FA)- best SF available in draft (Harkless, Taylor, Miller or else...)
Horford- Thomas- Johnson
Zaza- Drummond- Manhimi (FA)

[Superiorblogman]

We should unload Josh and Joe together and really build something special by getting Jerry Sloan as coach. Maybe he does not want a veteran club as some have asserted and removing Joe and Josh from this club would basically make it a new team that a new coach could mold

[HMFFL]

Report: Warriors Interested in Iguodala, Granger, Gay, Batum, Smith

The Contra Costa Times reports that Golden State will shop its No. 7 Draft pick to get a veteran small forward. The Warriors certainly are not aiming low: “The Warriors will also explore using the No. 7 pick to get a veteran. The Warriors’ starting lineup — which is already set at four positions with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee and Andrew Bogut — is in desperate need of athleticism and experience. So Golden State may not want to give such a prime position to a rookie. Golden State has long since had interest in Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, who is exactly the playmaking athlete the Warriors need at small forward. Other small forwards high on their list, according to league sources, are Portland’s Nick Batum, Indiana’s Danny Granger and Memphis’ Rudy Gay. And don’t be surprised if the Warriors make a play for Atlanta forward Josh Smith.” http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... tum-smith/

Hmm, if they view Josh Smith as a small forward, so be it.

I think our management would possibly be interested in the 7th pick if GS would include another appealing piece.

[evildallas]

Report: Warriors Interested in Iguodala, Granger, Gay, Batum, Smith

The Contra Costa Times reports that Golden State will shop its No. 7 Draft pick to get a veteran small forward. The Warriors certainly are not aiming low: “The Warriors will also explore using the No. 7 pick to get a veteran. The Warriors’ starting lineup — which is already set at four positions with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, David Lee and Andrew Bogut — is in desperate need of athleticism and experience. So Golden State may not want to give such a prime position to a rookie. Golden State has long since had interest in Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, who is exactly the playmaking athlete the Warriors need at small forward. Other small forwards high on their list, according to league sources, are Portland’s Nick Batum, Indiana’s Danny Granger and Memphis’ Rudy Gay. And don’t be surprised if the Warriors make a play for Atlanta forward Josh Smith.” http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... tum-smith/

Hmm, if they view Josh Smith as a small forward, so be it.

I think our management would possibly be interested in the 7th pick if GS would include another appealing piece.

I want to play Josh at SF, so I'm fine with their plan (Jeff, Joe, Josh, Al, and Zaza). The 7th pick is appealing but the problem is the salary match coming back in the deal. I think it would require both of their 1st rounders (7th and 30th) because of the bad contract coming back (either Biedrins or Jefferson). The 3 firsts in this deep draft would allow the Hawks to rebuild their bench with young talent. I've seen projections that Brad Beal might fall to 7th if not maybe Tyler Zeller works. At #23, Fournier, Moultrie, Teague, Wroten, or Quincy Miller could all be in play. At #30, Festus Ezeli is good investment or maybe Wroten if he falls. For the ASG the 30th pick is better than a 2nd rounder because it looks in for 4 cheap years. If a 2nd rounder breaks out you could have to pay them earlier and more. Regardless of the combination I'd like to get a center to develop, a forward to hopefully replace Marvin as his contract expires, and a guard out of the 3. Might even use our 2nd on Tyshawn Taylor as a back up PG. I want to load up on young talent this year because next year and possibly the year after are looking shallow for draft talent.

To be honest though, Toronto could offer the 8th pick and send back less salary because of their cap situation. For instance, the 8th and Amir Johnson for Josh Smith saves approximately 5M this season in cap room (includes signing the #8 pick) should be more attractive to the ASG than Biedrins and the #7 and #30.

[HMFFL]

I want to play Josh at SF, so I'm fine with their plan (Jeff, Joe, Josh, Al, and Zaza)

Ah, I like the idea of Josh Smith playing at the 3, but my concern is his defense against the quicker 3's in the game. My biggest concern with Josh Smith is his future and money, so that is why I believe he won't be here during the long-term.

[azuresou1]

I think at this point the team is stagnant, and both the team and Josh should move on. You wouldn't stay in a relationship where neither party is really happy or growing; why should we expect the same from the team?

Trade Josh, no hard feelings on either side. It just didn't work out.

[Geaux_Hawks]

Yeah, I've come to the conclusion as well that this marriage just won't.work out. It had legs, but I think Joe's contract really kills it for us. JJ at 80 million would put this team in a better situation to build some more. Now I think its time to just part ways, of course for good value though.

[jagstang76]

Personally, I'd rather see JJ and his bad contract dealt with than let Josh go. I realize that has a very small likelihood of happening, but Josh has kept us more competitive than Joe has. Josh is more of a leader and the heart of the team. We have a greater chance of finding another 2 that can make shots like JJ than finding a dynamic player like Josh.

If I had to be honest, they both need to be moved. Josh because of the issues and hard feelings, and Joe because of his stupid contract. That doesn't mean rebuilding, but it does mean putting together a different core.