Hawks Trade Rumors: Josh Smith Reportedly Being Shopped To Orlando

by Kris Willis on Jun 23, 2011 8:22 AM EDT

According to a report, the trade rumors involved between the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic are legit and the Hawks are actively trying to move Josh Smith. As far as Orlando goes, it makes perfect sense. They are tying to convince Dwight Howard to stay and not leave as a free agent and bringing in one of his best friends in Josh Smith would likely go a long way in helping that situation. The question is what does Atlanta get in return?

This is where I don't think the rumor has any merit. As Kurt Helin points out, the two guys that Orlando has that match salaries the closest is Hedo Turkoglu and Gilbert Arenas and that simply isn't happening. Helin also points out that Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick works but it would leave the Orlando back court decimated and it would cause Atlanta to likely make more moves as their guard situation would become extremely muddled.

Personally I like Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson but not in exchange for Smith. Would a third team have to be involved? These rumors aren't going away quickly because of Howard's upcoming free agency and is likely only one of the many to come this summer.

The underlying issue in the report is that Atlanta does appear to be intent on moving Smith. Here is the quote from Ken Berger's article.

Executives say the Hawks have expressed an eagerness to move Smith and would like to shed salary in the process.

I still can't fathom Atlanta sending Smith to Orlando but it remains to be seen whether or not the goal is to add another piece that fits with the team or to simply shed salary. If the salary ramifications prove to carry more weight then this situation is worth keeping a close eye on.

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There's no way

for them to shed salary and move Josh Smith and become a better team. Who out there is cheaper and is a better player than Josh? I can assure you Orlando doesn’t have him or any collection of them.

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Why would we want to help Orlando?

Why give them reason to keep Howard? Why help them by giving them a highly productive 25 year old power forward who excites (and frustrates)?

If they treat Josh Smith like they treated the 31st pick last year (cha-ching!), like an ATM, then I am calling for the Highlight Factory to be empty next season.

by Jason Walker on Jun 23, 2011 8:29 AM EDT reply actions

I'm laying it out right now

It was very hard for me when we traded Nique and then after Manning pretty much pooped on us. It was again hard for me when we moved Mookie (the first jersey I bought with my own money). But, in both situations, I stuck it out because the Hawks are my team, even if it was only a cursory glance at the boxscore on the web. The ASG are really trying my patience though. I absolutely love the fact that we are in the playoffs now, but the continual ignorance of this ownership and management group is getting to the point that it’s almost unhealthy to be invested in it for the time being.

If they move Smith because they f’d up by signing JJ to a stupid max deal a second damned time, I can promise you that I’ll be following the Jacksonville Giants more closely than the Hawks over the next few years. I would have absolutely no justification for giving them any of my time, effort, or money at that point.

"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.

by Jesse28 on Jun 24, 2011 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions

The more I think it's dumb to dump Josh Smith because of the ramifications of Joe's contract, the more I feel it's likely to happen.

by Jason Walker on Jun 23, 2011 8:32 AM EDT reply actions

Yep.

by Adam80 on Jun 23, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I should add

The moment they signed Joe to that contract, it became almost inevitable that they wouldn’t hold on to both of Horford and Smith. They extended Horford last season; now all we have to do is wait…

by Adam80 on Jun 23, 2011 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually I heard a different rumor too

Trade Lion to Orlando, get muscleman to come to Hawks. He will play for his hometown, and with Smoove. They may have to trade one more piece.

Regardless, chances of a trade within a division either way, would be very small.

And to give up Smoove, you best get multiple draft picks in future years (i say at least two first round draft picks and possibly three) in addition to some other pieces, of which Orlando has really nothing Hawks want any more (we could have used Jameer per Teague emergence, but not now).

We are not trading Smoove unless it is for some premium players and multiple first rounders.

by ATLpaul on Jun 23, 2011 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

I've been saying this since the end of the season

dealing Horf for Dwight.

d-wade=d-ouche

by captainamerica* on Jun 23, 2011 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Al, Marvin, Joe for Arenas and Dwight?

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 23, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

It's ridiculous

Unless that trade involves Dwight Howard, there’s just no way in hell they should consider it. I actually do think being traded would be the best thing for Josh, but it won’t be the best thing for the Hawks. Atl Spirit is the only group who couldn’t possibly find a way to get value for their most talented and at worst second best player.

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 8:33 AM EDT reply actions

You certainly have a lot of faith in the ATL Spirit

ATLpaul. I don’t know where it’s coming from. They gave up too much to get rid of Bibby and bring in HInrich, yet we’re supposed to believe they’re going to play this Josh Smith situation intelligently. Forgive me if I’m a little skeptical.

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

What the hell, Sund?!

NO WAY! Not within the division! I don’t want those shitty Orlando reserves and for what Hedo, Bass, and Reddick? Please… it’s Howard or nothing the way I see it.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Jun 23, 2011 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

NOOO!!!!!

If the Hawks trade Josh Smith to the Magic for anyone that does not involve Dwight Howard, I think I will officially stop being a Hawks fan. This is coming from someone who watched nearly every game during all of the bad times and stayed as positive as possible. Trading our second best player (after Joe, not Al) to our division rival is unfathomable. There is not one player on the Magic that is the least bit intriguing other than Howard. This would be worse than Dominique to the Cippers.

by swell4 on Jun 23, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think Dwight is staying in Orlando

no matter who they bring in. He just doesn’t have the nerve to say it.

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

Couple things...

1. Josh Smith is NOT going to get us Howard. So forget that scenario.
2. Nobody else on the Magic are worth it.
3. Even the Hawks aren’t dumb enough to trade him to our biggest rival. Right?
4. If they dump him for spare parts, the ASG is truly broke and needs to sell to ANYONE.

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Jun 23, 2011 8:47 AM EDT reply actions

You are...

a) asking for regret when Smith and Howard form the most insanely athletic 4/5 combo in NBA history and decimate us for the next 10 years.
b) going to regret parting ways with Smith when he flourishes alongside Howard, and becomes an All Pro
c) not get an equal return from the Magic, that’s obvious
d) have to involve a 3rd team, which would also be unlikely to yield a significant return

The only way to do this is with a 3rd team sending some combination of potentially high draft picks (because a Magic team with Smoove and Howard ain’t gonna be giving 1st rounders better than 25) and big time young talent that is just not realistic.

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 23, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

You don't salary dump your most talented player

You salary dump a guy like Marvin. Only the ATL Spirit could not know this.

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

If we find a buyer for Marvin, I say pull the trigger and never look back.

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Jun 23, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

They tried hard at the trade deadline...

…nobody was interested. There were some serious crickets.

by Jason Walker on Jun 23, 2011 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah. Forgot that small detail.

Ugh. We’re stuck with him I guess.

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Jun 23, 2011 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

now that was funny

I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.

by Throw on Jun 23, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

ouch

that draft rewind was pretty bad

J.UST E.NJOY T.HIS S.HIT
This is Forty08.

by big_p.a.w.z. on Jun 23, 2011 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

This team has the potential

to be an absolute disaster next season. Or in 2015 when the lockout ends.

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

Two of the worst contract extensions

this organization has had are the reason they’re going to lose their most talented player for nothing.

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

It's too bad the Magic gave up Gortat to Phx

He would have been a good piece along with some spare change, to deal Smith for.

d-wade=d-ouche

by captainamerica* on Jun 23, 2011 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

So they've decided to blow it up huh...

Which is essentially what they would do being trade partners with Orlando. They won’t give up Dwight and no other powerforward they have or draft pick they give up will be of equal value. Like I said in another post, the hawks will probably get low-balled in trade senarios because teams sense they are desperate to shed salary. If the new CBA annouces a hard-cap then the hawks will be scrambling even more.

We’ve better hope they at least keep Horford when the @#$% hits the fan.

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Jun 23, 2011 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Disney presents: "Al Horford And The Seven Guards".

Rated G.

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Jun 23, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

lol!!!!!

@ I_20sFinest

by dstdeelite on Jun 23, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

^ Hilarious!

@cocoqt81

by Co Co on Jun 23, 2011 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

Where are all the people who said "WE MUST KEEP JOE" now?

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jun 23, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I could be on board for trading Josh to get a quality center who would allow Horford to move to the 4. Josh for Dwight would certainly work. Any trade of Josh to Orlando that doesn’t have Howard coming the other way is insane.

by redwards95 on Jun 23, 2011 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

Josh for Dwight would never happen

I’m sure Dwight is the reason ORL is trying to get Josh to begin with. Otis Smith is going to do everything he can to keep Dwight there after next year. I would not be surprised to see this deal happen and frankly, I would be very happy for Josh if it did happen.
Can you imagine Josh and Dwight in the same frontcourt on defense?

by frootbooty on Jun 23, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Shedding Salary

I understand Joe’s contract is bad but it shows you how bad SPIRIT is when they give him that huge contract and then are trying to move it after only one year and also dump the team’s second best player, Josh, in a salary dump. Don’t pay Joe in the first place if you are going to shop him the next season. I am all for trading Al over Josh. Josh can be frustrating but he brings alot more than Al. Josh’s skills are irreplaceable. Al’s aren’t. After watching this season, I don’t even think Al is the leader I thought he was. Al is a very good player, but Josh is better. There is not way Al makes All-NBA or the All-Star team playing PF. Josh has a chance to do it though.

by swell4 on Jun 23, 2011 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Let me say this once

Orlando is not trading Dwight Howard this offseason

@Kris_Willis

by Kris Willis on Jun 23, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

At least without him looking at Orlando management and saying "I am not resigning ever"

@Kris_Willis

by Kris Willis on Jun 23, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

would Otis Smith give up Dwight for Joe, Al, Zaza, and some picks maybe?

Teague
Hinrich
Marv
Josh
Dwight

is not that bad huh?

by Kadiliman on Jun 23, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

The scenarios

on the Magic blog are mind blowing.

"You come at the king, you best not miss."

by a hooter's baby on Jun 23, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

HAHAHAHHAA

I thought i was the only one that read them, they actually think we want bass, anderson, jameer, and ryan anderson.

I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.

by Throw on Jun 23, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

most of them are borderline hilarious

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Jun 23, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

if we trade josh, it would need to be for a true center that can be a very good starter for years to come

One thing im just throwing out there is trade smith to minnesota for the number 2 pick and take derrick williams or enes kanter. you shed some salary but pick up one of the two of them. Kanter looks like a cant miss center prospect who can rebound and score down low. If the Lakers offered Odom, we could certainly offer Josh since he doesnt want to be here. Or to Phoenix for Robin Lopez or something. We just really need a true center so Al can play PF.

by Dwalk1217 on Jun 23, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

plus i could see minnesota taking that deal.

bring in a “veteran” forward to help add talent for rubio. And can you imagine rubio passing to josh for dunks, while we could get kanter. Just saying. That would help with money bs that the ASG seems to revolve on but we would at least hopefully get a center of the future.

by Dwalk1217 on Jun 23, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

The more I think about this...

The more a trade to Orlando makes zero sense.

Which is why I believe the team will make the trade…

"Insert witty and/or funny quote here" ~ The Person Who Spoketh Said Quote.

by Jman781 on Jun 23, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

This

dont doubt the Sund

I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.

by Throw on Jun 23, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh...

I’m Sunderwhelmed…

"Insert witty and/or funny quote here" ~ The Person Who Spoketh Said Quote.

by Jman781 on Jun 23, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

HELLLLLLLLL NOOOOOOO

I heard in a rumor that they want to give us jameer, hedo, and ryan anderson. why the hell would we want any of them?

I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.

by Throw on Jun 23, 2011 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

Wellm you never know

this is involving otis smith and Rick sund

I like to think of Jeff Teague as our secret weapon..... so secret that the Atlanta coaches have no idea who he is.

by Throw on Jun 23, 2011 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Really???

I would not trade Josh for anyone in this draft. This is perhaps the worst draft in NBA history. I definately would not trade him for Kanter, who despite all the hype, has not proven himself. Tskitisvili (sp.) and Darko were can’t miss prospects too. I’ll say it again, if Josh is gone for anyone on the Magic other than Dwight (which isn’t going to happen), I am no longer a fan of the Hawks until the team is sold. I have supported the team through thick and thin, but will not take a trade to our bigget rival for scrap parts who could not win around the best Center in basketball.

by swell4 on Jun 23, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions