Where does Atlanta go from here?

[MBunge]

I know they didn't have ZaZa for this series and and I know that this Hawks team has more talent than the comparable Celtics team, but how do you not pull an Ainge and blow Atlanta up at this point?  I mean, there's no getting around it now.  This current Hawks lineup in NOT a legitimate contender.  There is no minor trade or free agent signing or coaching change that's going to elevate them to the level of teams like Miami or Chicago or OKC going forward.  They can probably make the playoffs every year for another 4 years, if they sign Josh Smith to an extension, but that's it.

Mike

[Moranis]

Al Horford clearly wasn't healthy, which affected them a great deal as well.

I think they should try to move Joe Johnson.  Given his contract it won't be easy, but that seems to be where they need to upgrade.  I might even consider Johnson for Amare straight up if I'm the Hawks.  I know Amare is a bit duplicative, but a front-line of Horford, Amare, Smith would be match-up hell for most teams and is a nice mix of offense and defense. 

[Who]

(1) Try to find a trade for Josh Smith and possibly move Al Horford to the four

or

(2) Try to find a taker for Joe Johnson's contract in a salary dump and enter a semi-rebuilding process around Al Horford (C) and Josh Smith (PF).

[Q_FBE]

I am pretty sure that they can trade Joe Johnson for Carmelo Anthony but that would be horrible for Atlanta and good for New York..... (I will keep my trapper shut from now on).

I say stand pat and compete with Miami, Chicago, Indiana, and Boston with who you have.

[Evantime34]

I think Josh Smith will be moved because he will make it known he isn't signing an extension. I think they need to find a way to get a five so they can move Horford to the four. They should see if anyone is willing to bite on jj's contract.

[ACF]

Fishing.

[jgod213]

(1) Try to find a trade for Josh Smith and possibly move Al Horford to the four

or

(2) Try to find a taker for Joe Johnson's contract in a salary dump and enter a semi-rebuilding process around Al Horford (C) and Josh Smith (PF).

What about moving both Johnson and Smith? I think you can include Teague (despite his terrible game 6) as a player you can build around with Horford.  I really hate his face, but i love his game.

[Celts Fan 92]

They gotta trade one of those guys I would hold on to Horford nd Teague I think u can get value for Josh Smith nd unless they amnesty they're stuck wit Average Joe's contract, they gotta pull a Portland dis is a middle of da pack team at best

[jdz101]

Well they go fishing for one...

[snively]

I'm not as bearish on the Hawks future.  If Teague can continue to improve and take some of the shot-creation roles away from JJ and Josh Smith, I think their offense can greatly improve. 

If they can add someone like Dunleavy to their wing rotation and get fully healthy, I think they could be very dangerous. 

[wdleehi]

Maybe they can trade Smith to Cleveland

Cleveland sends Thompson and Gibson (last year) plus a future 1st to Utah


Utah sends Jefferson to Atlanta.

[Who]

(1) Try to find a trade for Josh Smith and possibly move Al Horford to the four

or

(2) Try to find a taker for Joe Johnson's contract in a salary dump and enter a semi-rebuilding process around Al Horford (C) and Josh Smith (PF).

What about moving both Johnson and Smith? I think you can include Teague (despite his terrible game 6) as a player you can build around with Horford.  I really hate his face, but i love his game.

They could. They won't be able to get talent back for JJ due to his contract. Only cap flexibility. They could still get talent for Josh Smith so that is the type of trade I'd look for for Smith.

So, Horford + cap space + whatever Josh Smith nets. Three main assets going forward.

I would be hesitant to move Josh Smith for additional cap space instead of talent. I think that would open up the Hawks to a much longer and more difficult rebuilding process. It would be difficult for them to convince top free agents to go there with just Horford around. I think they'd be better off keeping Smith (or trading Smith for a different high level talent) to keep more of a foundation to build around.

[Who]

I wonder what they could get for Jeff Teague, some cap filler and a draft pick or two.

Could that bring in a high level starter? Not an All-Star but someone who is a notch or two below that level? Say a top 15 player at their position?

Make a big four type core around that new player, JJ, Horford and J.Smith.

[dlpin]

main thing atlanta has to do is get it's ownership situation straight. They won't be able to attract anyone (coach or player) with people knowing the current group is trying hard to sell the team and has already failed at it once.

[Fafnir]

I wonder what they could get for Jeff Teague, some cap filler and a draft pick or two.

Could that bring in a high level starter? Not an All-Star but someone who is a notch or two below that level? Say a top 15 player at their position?

Make a big four type core around that new player, JJ, Horford and J.Smith.

Moranis would be all over that deal for Rondo....

Around the League, I'm not sure who'd be a good fit for that. I'm also not sure how that'd work financially, it'd need to be a salary dump for the other team right?