NBA PM: Top Five Destinations For Josh Smith | HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors
As the Atlanta Hawks prepare for a summer of full-scale rebuilding, it appears that Josh Smiths time with the team is over. His departure would spell a chance for the Hawks to either land some quality pieces to help their revamp process or to simply clear cap space to use in attracting free agents. Whether he leaves via sign-and-trade or free agency, you can bet Smith will be a player in demand this summer. Heres a look at five teams who could really use him:
1) The Dallas Mavericks The Mavericks are desperate to put a contending team around Dirk Nowitzki before he retires, and the clock is ticking. The Mavs attempted to lure Smith away at the trade deadline, offering Atlanta anyone not named Dirk in an effort to add him to their mix. Expect Dallas to be at the top of the list of teams looking to sign him as a free agent. The Mavs have few assets to offer in trade, so if the Hawks opt to work a sign-and-trade for Smith the Mavs would likely be out of the running early.
2) The Houston Rockets Another team with cap space that could use a little more star power is the Houston Rockets. Their top free agent target is, of course, Dwight Howard, but if Howard re-ups with the Los Angeles Lakers then the Rockets will be scrambling for a Plan B. Unlike Dallas, Houston needs a starting power forward, and Smith is really at his best when playing the four. For a team looking to push the tempo, as the Rockets always are, Smith would be a great fit due to his ability to change ends quickly and finish with flair.
3) The San Antonio Spurs Former Spur Danny Ferry, now the GM of the Hawks, also got a phone call from his former team before this seasons trade deadline, as the Spurs were looking for an impact player to add to their mix before what they hoped would be a deep playoff run. The Spurs still need another front court presence, and Smith is the kind of player who could help extend Tim Duncans career by doing some of the dirty work in the paint and on the glass.
4) The Golden State Warriors If the Hawks elect to use Smith as a sign-and-trade piece rather than simply letting him walk in free agency, the Golden State Warriors are a team that could swing a deal that would greatly benefit both sides. It seems likely that Smith will command something in the $10-12 million range to start his new contract, meaning the Warriors could send David Lee to Atlanta in a potential sign-and-trade deal. As great as Lee was this season, the Warriors are winning without him, and Smiths game is practically tailor-made to suit what Warriors head coach Mark Jackson is asking his team to do. Meanwhile, Lee would fit right in with the slower, half-court-centric offense that tends to define the Eastern Conference. He and Horford would immediately become one of the best front lines in the East.
5) The Denver Nuggets Rounding out our list is one of the NBAs fastest teams. The Nuggets have seemingly been defined by their running game since the inception of the team, but under George Karl they have taken their running game to new heights. The Nuggets were first in the league in scoring this season at 106.1 points per game while the league averaged 98.1, and Smiths penchant for blocking shots would only serve to further fuel Denvers fast break offense. The Nuggets also lead the league in points in the paint at 58.0 per game to a league-wide average of just 41.7. Needless to say, Smith would only help that number go up. As great a fit as Smith would be in Denver, it sounds like the Nuggets are going to bring back Andre Iguodala and basically keep the band together as is. That said, if something goes awry with that plan, Smith would seem to be a natural fit in the Mile High City. Denver certainly has some appealing pieces to offer in a potential trade.
As the Atlanta Hawks prepare for a summer of full-scale rebuilding, it appears that Josh Smiths time with the team is over. His departure would spell a chance for the Hawks to either land some quality pieces to help their revamp process or to simply clear cap space to use in attracting free agents. Whether he leaves via sign-and-trade or free agency, you can bet Smith will be a player in demand this summer. Heres a look at five teams who could really use him:
1) The Dallas Mavericks The Mavericks are desperate to put a contending team around Dirk Nowitzki before he retires, and the clock is ticking. The Mavs attempted to lure Smith away at the trade deadline, offering Atlanta anyone not named Dirk in an effort to add him to their mix. Expect Dallas to be at the top of the list of teams looking to sign him as a free agent. The Mavs have few assets to offer in trade, so if the Hawks opt to work a sign-and-trade for Smith the Mavs would likely be out of the running early.
2) The Houston Rockets Another team with cap space that could use a little more star power is the Houston Rockets. Their top free agent target is, of course, Dwight Howard, but if Howard re-ups with the Los Angeles Lakers then the Rockets will be scrambling for a Plan B. Unlike Dallas, Houston needs a starting power forward, and Smith is really at his best when playing the four. For a team looking to push the tempo, as the Rockets always are, Smith would be a great fit due to his ability to change ends quickly and finish with flair.
3) The San Antonio Spurs Former Spur Danny Ferry, now the GM of the Hawks, also got a phone call from his former team before this seasons trade deadline, as the Spurs were looking for an impact player to add to their mix before what they hoped would be a deep playoff run. The Spurs still need another front court presence, and Smith is the kind of player who could help extend Tim Duncans career by doing some of the dirty work in the paint and on the glass.
4) The Golden State Warriors If the Hawks elect to use Smith as a sign-and-trade piece rather than simply letting him walk in free agency, the Golden State Warriors are a team that could swing a deal that would greatly benefit both sides. It seems likely that Smith will command something in the $10-12 million range to start his new contract, meaning the Warriors could send David Lee to Atlanta in a potential sign-and-trade deal. As great as Lee was this season, the Warriors are winning without him, and Smiths game is practically tailor-made to suit what Warriors head coach Mark Jackson is asking his team to do. Meanwhile, Lee would fit right in with the slower, half-court-centric offense that tends to define the Eastern Conference. He and Horford would immediately become one of the best front lines in the East.
5) The Denver Nuggets Rounding out our list is one of the NBAs fastest teams. The Nuggets have seemingly been defined by their running game since the inception of the team, but under George Karl they have taken their running game to new heights. The Nuggets were first in the league in scoring this season at 106.1 points per game while the league averaged 98.1, and Smiths penchant for blocking shots would only serve to further fuel Denvers fast break offense. The Nuggets also lead the league in points in the paint at 58.0 per game to a league-wide average of just 41.7. Needless to say, Smith would only help that number go up. As great a fit as Smith would be in Denver, it sounds like the Nuggets are going to bring back Andre Iguodala and basically keep the band together as is. That said, if something goes awry with that plan, Smith would seem to be a natural fit in the Mile High City. Denver certainly has some appealing pieces to offer in a potential trade.
DEN & GS cant sign him both are not only over the salary cap they're over the luxury cap
