FanPost

Josh Smith soon to be available?

Al Horford signed a 5 year $60 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks. This move is a great price to pay for an impressive big man. However, its going to affect what the Hawks do for the next half-decade and must be viewed in the context of the disastrous $124 million contract they gave 29-year-old Joe Johnson just a few months ago. Atlanta is going to be up to the luxury tax level with no ability to manoeuvre or sign new players or even resign Jamal Crawford. The Hawks have $64.4 million committed to eight players next season.

There is speculation that the Hawks will look to trade Josh Smith - just speculation at this point. But if the Hawks are looking to do this or give themselves financial flexibility then they are looking for an expiring contract (among other assets). The Nets could see over the next few months what their squad is looking like and whether trading Murphy's expiring contract for Josh Smith would improve the franchise. Clearly there are a lot of what ifs but if Melo doesn't end up on the Nets then i could see it is possible that Josh Smith joins the Nets instead.

What do other people think?