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[LALakersFan4Life]

Suns Explore Trade For Josh Smith



By Alex Kennedy
Senior NBA Writer

It’s no secret that the Phoenix Suns are trying to acquire a star player. Last offseason, the Suns signed Eric Gordon to a maximum offer sheet, but the New Orleans Hornets matched the contract. In recent weeks, Phoenix tried to acquire Rudy Gay, but the Memphis Grizzlies decided to send him to the Toronto Raptors instead.

Now, after missing out on Gordon and Gay, the Suns have shifted their attention to a new star that may be available prior to the Feb. 21 trade deadline.

The Suns are pursuing Josh Smith, according to multiple league sources. Phoenix will try to acquire Smith before the deadline or, if that fails, through a sign-and-trade deal next offseason.

The Suns are very interested in Smith and have had exploratory talks with the Atlanta Hawks about the 27-year-old forward. Phoenix views Smith as a franchise player who can be one of the cornerstones of the team for years to come. The Suns have been searching for a face of the franchise since Steve Nash’s departure last summer, and Smith could be exactly that. If the Hawks decide it’s time to part ways with Smith, the Suns will be one of the teams on the phone.

Phoenix has attractive assets, particularly Marcin Gortat, who could play alongside Al Horford and give the Hawks one of the best frontcourts in the Eastern Conference. They also have Jared Dudley and Michael Beasley as well as the expiring contracts of Wes Johnson, Shannon Brown (whose 2013-14 salary is non-guaranteed), Sebastian Telfair and Jermaine O’Neal. Phoenix also has several first-round picks – their own pick and two additional first-round picks that they acquired in the Nash trade with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Johnson trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Luis Scola could also be involved in the trade, but only if the deal is a sign-and-trade since he can’t be traded until July 1 due to the fact that he was signed by the Suns after being amnestied by the Houston Rockets.

Smith and his agent, Wallace Prather, are expected to meet with the Hawks at some point this week to discuss the forward’s future in Atlanta. The two sides met after Smith’s one-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team,” but Smith’s camp didn’t demand a trade. It’s unclear if Smith and Prather will ask for a trade during this next meeting, although many people in NBA circles believe that Smith’s days in Atlanta could be numbered. In recent weeks, more teams have been calling the Hawks and inquiring about Smith, especially since his public comments about being “a max contract player.”

While the Suns will express interest in Smith, they aren’t the only team that will make a run at the star forward. The Houston Rockets, Charlotte Bobcats and Dallas Mavericks have also been mentioned as potential suitors for Smith.

If the Suns trade for Smith and re-sign him over the summer, they could have as much as $20 million in cap space still left over, assuming all of their current options are declined and next year’s cap sits at $59 million as projected. That means they can add Smith and still have money to sign a second big-name free agent such as Dwight Howard or more realistic options like Monta Ellis, Andre Iguodala or Paul Millsap.

The Suns have been actively trying to acquire a star player for the last six months, and they’ll continue to swing for the fences in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. If the Hawks decide to move Smith and get something in return for him rather than letting him walk as an unrestricted free agent over the summer, don’t be surprised if the Suns are one of the teams trying to acquire him.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-pm-phoenix-suns-pursuing-josh-smith/

[ツ]

I'm sure the Suns have basically everything to get Smith. Lakers aren't even in any discussions. :/

Edited by ツ  , January 31, 2013 - 10:28 PM.

[Hollywood]

Good let him go to the suns

[LALakersFan4Life]

Source: Hawks Unwilling To Give Max Contract To Josh Smith



David Aldridge, TNT analyst
Posted Feb 8, 2013 10:08 PM

The Atlanta Hawks are entertaining trade offers around the league for forward Josh Smith, but have yet to decide whether they will deal the ninth-year forward, according to league sources.

The Hawks met with Smith's representatives this week and reiterated -- as they initially offered at the beginning of the season -- that they would be willing to give Smith a three-year deal for around $47 million, according to sources. This is the maximum of what they can currently offer under the new rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Smith turned down the offer, however, saying he preferred to play out his existing contract and get a longer deal this summer.

Initially, it was believed that the Hawks had indicated they would not give Smith the five-year max contract he can receive this summer. But sources indicated Friday afternoon that the two sides have not had any discussions about the full five-year deal.

Smith, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution late last month that he believes he's a max player, which would mean he'd be in line for a five-year deal worth around $93.5 million from Atlanta.

But the Hawks, which expect to be major players next summer in free agency or through trades, do not want to tie up that kind of money going forward.

Smith, according to a source, is prepared to move on, outside of the contract discussions.

He has been one of the most enigmatic players in the Hawks' history, capable of incredible feats at both ends of the floor—as evidenced by his 23-point, 16-rebound performance against the Bulls in the 2011 playoffs—but also capable of driving coaches and fans crazy with his decision-making. Last month he was suspended by the team for a game for "conduct detrimental to the team," after a run-in at practice with coach Larry Drew.

Yet the Hawks have not formally decided to trade the 27-year-old Smith, who leads Atlanta in scoring and blocked shots, and is second in rebounds and assists. Team president of basketball operations and general manager Danny Ferry is in fact-finding mode now, seeing what the market is for Smith.

The website Hoopsworld reported earlier this week that the Suns had had exploratory talks with Atlanta about Smith.

If the Hawks hold onto Smith for the rest of this season, they could still trade him this summer in a sign-and-trade deal. However, the market for such trades will begin to narrow; teams $4 million or more above the luxury tax threshold, or that would become $4 million or more above the threshold by making a trade, will be prohibited from doing sign and trade deals.

The Hawks traded for signed for eight players on the last year of their contracts this summer. Five of those players came from the Nets in the deal that sent Joe Johnson to Brooklyn last July. They can clear more than $30 million in cap room by just letting those deals expire; only Al Horford and guards Lou Williams and John Jenkins are under contract for next season.

If the Hawks let Smith walk without taking any salary back, they'd be able to clear more than $40 million off their cap.

The Hawks could be a player for free agents like Dwight Howard, who is from Atlanta, or guard Chris Paul, who famously was skipped over by the Hawks in the 2005 Draft in favor of forward Marvin Williams, taken with the second pick overall that year. But if they find they can't attract a premier free agent, they might still be able to deal Smith in a sign-and-trade for an impact player under contract similar to that which they might find in free agency.

http://www.nba.com/2013/news/02/08/josh-smith-trade-offers/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts

[LALakersFan4Life]

Sources: Nets Covet Josh Smith



By Chris Broussard | ESPN The Magazine

The Brooklyn Nets are aggressively pursuing a trade for Atlanta Hawks star forward Josh Smith, league sources told ESPN.

The two teams are engaged in discussions, but one source said while "there has been lots of talk, nothing is close yet."

As the NBA's Feb. 21 trade deadline nears, Brooklyn is proving to be one of the most active teams in the league. As reported by ESPN.com on Friday, sources said the Nets also are talking with the Charlotte Bobcats about a Kris Humphries-for-Ben Gordon trade.

While the Nets certainly want Gordon, sources said acquiring Smith is their higher priority. A trade for Smith would seemingly kill a deal for Gordon, because Humphries is one of the players being discussed with Atlanta.

The Nets are willing to give up Humphries and second-year shooting guard MarShon Brooks for Smith. But it almost certainly will take more than a Humphries-Brooks combination to pry Smith away from Atlanta, and one source said the Hawks want Brooklyn's first-round pick.

Some scenarios that have been discussed include the Hawks' Anthony Morrow, who played the past two seasons with the Nets, returning to the club.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Saturday that the Hawks want a young center in return for Smith.

The Nets may have to get a third team involved to pull off a trade for Smith.

Smith will become a free agent this summer, and Atlanta is deciding whether to trade him before the deadline. One source close to the situation estimated there is a 60 percent chance the Hawks will move him.

If the Hawks don't trade Smith, they risk losing him for nothing as a free agent. Atlanta could re-sign Smith, but he wants close to maximum-salary money, if not the max.

One school of thought has the Hawks keeping Smith in order to make themselves more attractive to Smith's longtime friend and fellow Atlanta native, Dwight Howard.

Howard, who is struggling through a nightmarish season with the Los Angeles Lakers, will become a free agent this summer, and Atlanta will join Dallas and Houston in offering him a max-salary contract. Sources have said Howard has little interest in playing in Atlanta.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8934969/josh-smith-being-pursued-brooklyn-nets-trade-talks-according-sources

[LALakersFan4Life]

Source: Spurs Expressing Interest In Josh Smith



The San Antonio Spurs are among the teams that have shown interest in acquiring Josh Smith from the Atlanta Hawks, according to a source.

Hawks general manager Danny Ferry previously spent time with the Spurs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nba-power-rankings--spurs-still-the-best-162422963.html

[LALakersFan4Life]

76ers Not Interested In Josh Smith Deal



John N. Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2013, 2:24 AM

MILWAUKEE - Websites have speculated about a possible trade that would send Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes to Atlanta for soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Josh Smith, but such a deal would not interest the 76ers, according to two league sources with knowledge of the situation.

"Why would the Sixers be interested in making a deal for a player who can walk at the end of the season and leave them holding nothing but the bag?" one source said. "I don't see where that makes sense for them."

Although the Sixers would acquire Smith's Larry Bird rights - meaning they could sign him to a more lucrative deal than any other team - they would have no guarantee that Smith would re-sign with them.

The 6-foot-9 small forward is in his ninth season with the Hawks and in the final year of a five-year, $58 million contract. The word coming out of Atlanta is that Smith almost certainly will not re-sign with the Hawks.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20130214_Sixers_Notes___Josh_Smith_deal_would_not_interest_76ers__sources_say.html

[LALakersFan4Life]

GM's Convinced Hawks Have Ruled Out Keeping Josh Smith Long-Term



Danny Ferry and the Atlanta Hawks have ruled out signing Josh Smith to a new deal in the offseason, according to three rival general managers.

The GMs are convinced that Ferry will be aggressive in moving Smith before the deadline.

The best offer the Hawks are believed to have received for Smith has been Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks from the Brooklyn Nets. But that offer is unlikely to make the Hawks budge.

"Danny's a Spur,'' one rival executive said, referring to Ferry's past work in San Antonio's front office. "So he won't give him away, but if someone comes with a good offer, Josh Smith is gone. I don't think Danny takes the Nets' deal. I think someone has to do better than that.''

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8947304/nba-trade-whispers-josh-smith-eric-gordon-paul-millsap-al-jefferson

[TheOriginalCZM]

The Milwaukee Bucks are interested in trading for Josh Smith, according to a report.
The Bucks could offer a package of Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova for Smith.
Atlanta is widely expected to trade Smith before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.
Smith is averaging 17.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 35.7 minutes per game.
Via Gery Woelfel/Racine Journal-Times

[bigfetz]

Idk why anyone would want to give this guy a max. I mean yes he's a good player but he is asking for way to much. He isnt even close to deserving all that money.

[LALakersFan4Life]

Hawks Talking Josh Smith Trade With Several Teams

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

Still many involved for Atlanta's Josh Smith, including Bucks, Nets, Celtics, 76ers, Wizards, others, sources say. Strong belief he's moved.

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/303055299105918977

[LALakersFan4Life]

Celtics Active On Josh Smith Trade Talks

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

Boston's active on several fronts, including discussions on Josh Smith. Brooklyn is solely focused on making a Smith deal.

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/303692659690729473

[TheOriginalCZM]

The Milwaukee Bucks are considered one of the stronger contenders to trade for Josh Smith.
For the Bucks, the biggest risk will be whether they can re-sign Smith.
The Hawks' interest in doing a trade with the Bucks is believed to center on acquiring Monta Ellis.
Ellis, however, is expected to opt out of his contract for the 13-14 season.
Via Marc Stein/ESPN

[24allday]

Ellis sucks.

[LALakersFan4Life]

Josh Smith Would Prefer Bucks To Keep Both Monta & Jennings

Chris Broussard ‏@Chris_Broussard

Josh Smith would like to play w/Monte Ellis & Brandon Jennings so Bucks trying to make trade w/out giving up Ellis.

https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/status/304244076964900864

[LALakersFan4Life]

Wizards Amongst Most Active Teams Interested In Josh Smith

David Aldridge ‏@daldridgetnt

League sources list Milwaukee, Washington, Brooklyn as most diligent on Josh Smith, but Danny Ferry keeping cards close to chest...

https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/304255878029275138

[LALakersFan4Life]

Nets, Suns and Bucks Lead In Pursuit Of Josh Smith

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

Among teams and officials involved in Josh Smith talks, the three most likely destinations right now: Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Phoenix.

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304332296570413056

[LALakersFan4Life]

Hawks Looking At Monta & Ekpe Udoh From Bucks For Josh Smith & Devin Harris

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

Hawks, Bucks seriously talking on Josh Smith deal, sources tell Y! Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh among players discussed for Smith, Devin Harris.

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304609860551573504

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

Milwaukee, Phoenix emerging as frontrunners for Josh Smith deal, league sources tell Y! Sports. Boston still a "darkhorse," one source says.

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304617264366383106

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

If Brooklyn doesn't do a deal for Josh Smith -- and Nets are a long-shot -- they'll probably do nothing at the deadline, sources tell Y!

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/304637261075578880

[LALakersFan4Life]

Rockets and Hawks Discuss Josh Smith Trade

Ken Berger ‏@KBergCBS

The Rockets, flush with assets, are involved at "high level" in Josh Smith talks, league source says.

https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/304593656944410624

Ken Berger ‏@KBergCBS

But Houston has leverage: cap room this summer to land Smith as a free agent. Limits the assets they are willing to part with now.

https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/304593975405318144

http://blacksportson...red-josh-smith/

 

Before the trade deadline passed, the Boston Celtics had one final choice to make on the franchise’s future: In a three-way deal that would’ve secured Josh Smith and surrendered Paul Pierce to Dallas, Atlanta wanted Boston’s first-round draft pick, too.

 

As much as any of the proposed deals discussed in February, perhaps this had been the closest Pierce had come to parting with the Celtics, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

 

Dallas had constructed a package that included Jae Crowder, Brandan Wright and Dahntay Jones to Atlanta, with the Mavericks and Hawks exchanging positions in the 2013 NBA draft.

 

Nevertheless, Boston wouldn’t relent on the pick and the deal died on meeting-room grease boards in three cities. Celtics coach Doc Rivers has always understood that general manager Danny Ainge’s reshaping of the roster is inevitable, but he’s never been in a hurry to lord over a rebuild.