During the Atlanta Hawks' 106-104 loss to the New York Knicks, sideline reporter Chris Broussard reported that the agent for Josh Smith will talk with Hawks general manager sometime this week to discuss his client's future.

Josh Smith's reps will speak with Hawks' GM Danny Ferry this week about Smith's future in ATL, sources say.

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) January 27, 2013

Smith is a free agent at the end of the season and the Hawks have a decision to make as the February trade deadline rapidly approaches. Coming into training camp it looked like the Hawks might be the favorites to retain Smith on a new contract. Since then Smith has been thrown out of practice and suspended and was once again passed over for the All-Star game.

Earlier this week Smith indicated that he thought of himself as a max player and gave some insight for the first time into what kind of contract he might be seeking this offseason.

The Hawks can trade Smith before the February deadline or they could opt to hang onto him until the offseason and risk losing him while getting nothing in return. If the Hawks keep Smith then they can offer him as much as $94 million over a five-year contract.