Alex Kennedy :Next up for Atlanta? Trading Josh Smith....Bos needs to get on it

[Roy H.]

I doubt Atlanta wants to take back any long term salary in a trade.  I expect their goal is to make a run at Howard and/or Chris Paul next year, and it's realistic for them to do so.  However, they can't take any salary if that's going to be an option.

The smartest thing for the Hawks is probably to keep Smith around, and let him expire or use him in a S&T next year.

[kp4000]

Can someone help me out here? If Garnett, agreed to a $34mil/4yrs; how will Ainge be able to sign Jeff Green and other free agents. I think Ainge could of offered Garnett a less, but reasonable contract. So that other serviceable free agents can come to Boston. Just my opinion.

[LarBrd33]

I doubt Atlanta wants to take back any long term salary in a trade.  I expect their goal is to make a run at Howard and/or Chris Paul next year, and it's realistic for them to do so.  However, they can't take any salary if that's going to be an option.

The smartest thing for the Hawks is probably to keep Smith around, and let him expire or use him in a S&T next year.

Aren't Smith and Howard friends. 

ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Besides how Hawks now in play for Dwight, either via trade or 2013 free agency, story details how Josh Smith has been moved by Ferry's moves

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8124428/atlanta-hawks-trade-marvin-williams-utah-jazz-devin-harris-according-sources

The Hawks have thus quickly emerged as a potential destination for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who grew up in the Atlanta area and is close friends with Hawks swingman Josh Smith. Howard is also close with Anthony Morrow, one of five players that the Hawks will acquire from the Brooklyn Nets in their pending trade with the Nets for Johnson.

Yeah... again... not sure how trading Joe Johnson makes people think Josh Smith is next... if anything this might pave a semi-realistic scenario where they could trade Horford + pieces for Dwight THIS Year.

The flurry of action, after years of restraint from the Hawks, has also made a fast impression in Smith, sources said. Smith had been vocal for months about wanting to be dealt, but sources told ESPN.com that the swingman is excited about the direction Ferry has taken things in his brief time in charge.

"He's changed the whole perception of the organization," one source said.

/end thread

[Neurotic Guy]

Can someone help me out here? If Garnett, agreed to a $34mil/4yrs; how will Ainge be able to sign Jeff Green and other free agents. I think Ainge could of offered Garnett a less, but reasonable contract. So that other serviceable free agents can come to Boston. Just my opinion.

Although the contract is actually worse than you report (it's 34M over 3 years), it's a great contract for KG IMO.  DA absolutely can sign any of the players (like Green or Ray) for whom we have Bird rights, and he'll still have the MLE, BAE and vet minimums to fill the roster. 

[hpantazo]

Yea, JSmith and Howard are close friends. Still, if they trade Horford for Howard, what other pieces can they add? Even if they don't add other useful pieces, what do they have left?  A core of Howard, Smith, and Teague is not a contender.

[bfrombleacher]

Yea, JSmith and Howard are close friends. Still, if they trade Horford for Howard, what other pieces can they add? Even if they don't add other useful pieces, what do they have left?  A core of Howard, Smith, and Teague is not a contender.

But Dwight might stay in this scenario...maybe?

If they manage to snag Dwight and keep him by unloading Joe Johnson to the Nets whose intent was to build around Dwight...hats off to them.

[Evantime34]

I doubt Atlanta wants to take back any long term salary in a trade.  I expect their goal is to make a run at Howard and/or Chris Paul next year, and it's realistic for them to do so.  However, they can't take any salary if that's going to be an option.

The smartest thing for the Hawks is probably to keep Smith around, and let him expire or use him in a S&T next year.

Aren't Smith and Howard friends. 

ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
Besides how Hawks now in play for Dwight, either via trade or 2013 free agency, story details how Josh Smith has been moved by Ferry's moves

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8124428/atlanta-hawks-trade-marvin-williams-utah-jazz-devin-harris-according-sources

The Hawks have thus quickly emerged as a potential destination for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who grew up in the Atlanta area and is close friends with Hawks swingman Josh Smith. Howard is also close with Anthony Morrow, one of five players that the Hawks will acquire from the Brooklyn Nets in their pending trade with the Nets for Johnson.

Yeah... again... not sure how trading Joe Johnson makes people think Josh Smith is next... if anything this might pave a semi-realistic scenario where they could trade Horford + pieces for Dwight THIS Year.

The flurry of action, after years of restraint from the Hawks, has also made a fast impression in Smith, sources said. Smith had been vocal for months about wanting to be dealt, but sources told ESPN.com that the swingman is excited about the direction Ferry has taken things in his brief time in charge.

"He's changed the whole perception of the organization," one source said.

/end thread

I really want to know what Ferry said to Smith about the direction of the franchise. They are clearing cap space but they are going to be much worse this year.

[D Dub]

Yea, JSmith and Howard are close friends. Still, if they trade Horford for Howard, what other pieces can they add? Even if they don't add other useful pieces, what do they have left?  A core of Howard, Smith, and Teague is not a contender.

IDK, Smith & Howard could be the best 4, 5 combo in the L.

They'll re-sign Hinrich & then get a Grant Hill type to sign a vet min to play SF.    

[prov1ml34]

Lang Greene ‏@LangGreene
According to sources, Josh Smith has turned into lead recruiter trying to convince Dwight Howard to consider playing in Atlanta long term.

There goes what little chance we had I'm afraid

[ssspence]

i really cringe at the idea of smith on the celtics. he remains an overrated and highly immature player who thinks he's better than he is. his high moments will never make up for the fact that he's a loser -- a guy who extracts wins from his team more often than he creates them. please keep him away from rondo, not to mention the celtics organization.

[LarBrd33]

i really cringe at the idea of smith on the celtics. he remains an overrated and highly immature player who thinks he's better than he is. his high moments will never make up for the fact that he's a loser -- a guy who extracts wins from his team more often than he creates them. please keep him away from rondo, not to mention the celtics organization.

you're in luck... he's not taking his allstar talents to bean town.

[hpantazo]

i really cringe at the idea of smith on the celtics. he remains an overrated and highly immature player who thinks he's better than he is. his high moments will never make up for the fact that he's a loser -- a guy who extracts wins from his team more often than he creates them. please keep him away from rondo, not to mention the celtics organization.

I agree, and Howard is just a taller version of him. Those two are too immature and have a combined bball iq that is comparable to Gerald Green's. They will never contend unless they get a legit, smart leader on that team.

[pp34isthe1]

Up next? Teague/Hortford/Pachulia/filler + pick for Dwight Howard & Redick or Big Baby
 
Followed by keys to Atlanta and worlds best GM coffee mug given to Danny Ferry.

Seriously if Danny Ferry can sucessfully dump Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams contract, keep Josh Smith and land Dwight Howard, ill name my unborn son Daniel John Willard Ferry.

[mctyson]

Bradley is not getting traded for Josh Smith.

Ever.

[GreenFaith1819]

Nice moves by ATL...haven't seen this much activity from them in yrs.

Not sure if they will be better by the time it's said and done, but hey at least Ferry's trying.