I dont think Ainge has the balls to trade Smart nowadays.
Danny traded PP and KG for 3 future mediocre picks + the albatross of Gerald Wallace. I bet this is what most of us were thinking at the time. He traded down from #1 to draft his guy at #3. He refuses to waste assets on rentals, even though most fans urge him to make a big splash. Is this the guy that doesn't have the balls to trade Smart? Cause if you ask me, Danny got balls of steel.
Fwiw, the Hawks have a terrific guard defender of their own in Kris Dunn. Imo, Smart is hands down a more switchable/versatile defender, but Dunn is a better on-ball defender. According to defensive RAPTOR, Dunn was the best guard defender in the NBA last season. In fact, he comfortably led the league in STL%. Perhaps he could be part of a trade around Smart +
Collins/Hunter. Hasn't played a game yet this season cause he underwent arthroscopic surgery on December 29 to remove loose cartilage in his right ankle. From what I read, he was expected to be re-evaluated after resting for a couple of weeks. Can't find other news regarding his recovery.
Dunn cannot be traded till February 19.