Josh Smith

[Chris]

I think Atlanta will try to move Smith, but not for spare parts.  They'll want to bring a third all-star to pair with Johnson and Horford and try to make the leap to contention.

Yes, this. Atlanta will only move Josh Smith for a star caliber talent.

They are not trying to get rid of him. They are trying to upgrade their talent.

I agree.  The only deal I think they would really be intrigued with from the C's (short of maybe a deal for Rondo), could be something like Smith and Marvin Williams for KG. 

I could see them consider this as a chance to make a run for the championship next year with KG and Horford basically interchangable as PF/C, and then a lot of money coming off the books in 2012. 

I still think that would be a longshot, and there would probably be more moving parts to it, but that is the only deal that I could see them go for. 

[PortCelt]

Sounds like a stretch, but I'd be more than pleased if we could get Smoove without having to give up any of the core four.

That was extactly the type of deal I was trying to illustrate.

[CelticSince83]

I don't understand why ATL wouldn't just keep Josh Smith and use him to try to acquire D12.  They surprisingly don't seem very interested in Howard despite a few obvious reasons why ATL might be the perfect fit for him 1) the warm whether which is apparently a big deal to him 2) the chance to play with best friend Josh Smith 3) its his hometown 4) they have good enough young talent to win and he wouldn't be riding someone else's coattails to a championship as him and Shaq have both mentioned the whole "blazing your own trail" thing.......

Who could ATL trade to get him there?
Horford and Teague?
Crawford, Williams and Teague?
Joe Johnson and a boat load of picks?

[LooseCannon]

They surprisingly don't seem very interested in Howard despite a few obvious reasons why ATL might be the perfect fit for him

If they appeared very interested, that would open them up to charges of tampering.

[CelticSince83]

Perhaps I should have been more clear.  Rather than say they don't seem interested, I should have clarified that they seem to be less-oft mentioned as potential pursuers than say LA, BOS, CHI, DAL............

[PortCelt]

I don't understand why ATL wouldn't just keep Josh Smith and use him to try to acquire D12.  They surprisingly don't seem very interested in Howard despite a few obvious reasons why ATL might be the perfect fit for him 1) the warm whether which is apparently a big deal to him 2) the chance to play with best friend Josh Smith 3) its his hometown 4) they have good enough young talent to win and he wouldn't be riding someone else's coattails to a championship as him and Shaq have both mentioned the whole "blazing your own trail" thing.......

Who could ATL trade to get him there?
Horford and Teague?
Crawford, Williams and Teague?
Joe Johnson and a boat load of picks?

Crawford is unrestricted. He could be used as S/T bait, but there's no truth about the Magic considering moving Howard right now, and no way DH is traded within the division.

Atl. won't be able to deal Williams or JJ (bad contracts) and you have to consider they never made it out of the second round with this core. They're going to listen for offers regarding Smith. Whether Bos. has the assets to make a palatable deal is up for debate.