FanPost

Josh Smith


I first mentioned this in one of the threads, but does anyone else view the possibility of acquiring Josh Smith from the Atlanta Hawks a feasible one? Logically speaking, it can.

1. First and foremost, the Atlanta Hawks will undoubtedly be eliminated at some point in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, yet another defeat for a franchise aspiring to catch the Larry O'Brien trophy. Their ownership had faith their current group would be able to contend with the best of them, but it hasn't, and most likely it won't next year either, if they stay the same.

2. This summer, like most teams, the Hawks will review their roster, and evaluate who needs to stay with the team, and who needs to leave. In all likelihood, they'll try and address their glaring need for a center, a player at the position they have lacked for the past few seasons which has hindered they're ability to contend with the best of the best in the league.

3. The Hawks gave Joe Johnson a 6 year, 119 million contract and Al Horford a 5 year, 60 million contract extension, which undoubtedly makes it difficult for the team to improve in the ways they would like. Al Horford is a natural power forward, and, as proven in the Hawks' past playoff runs, have some difficulties fighting the big men of teams such as Orlando because of matchup problems. Marvin Williams is a natural small forward, who makes more money than his worth, and the Hawks have to retain Crawford as he is a valuable contributor off the bench and is an emergency starter. The only one left is Josh Smith, who cannot play the small forward consistently because of his inability to shoot consistently and Atlanta would prefer Horford occupying the power forward position (they signed him to an extension, they must like him). Smith additionally makes 12 million this year, and it's expected to rise next year as well, and keep in mind, newly acquired Kirk Hinrich needs to be payed as well.

4. How do the New Jersey Nets fit into all of this? The Nets can use their cap space to absorb the contract of Josh Smith, add cash considerations, draft picks, and etc. Why would Atlanta do this? Because firstly, they free up a lot of cap room to address their need of a big man. This offseason, Nene, Yao Ming, Mark Gasol, Samuel Dalembert, DeAndre Jordan, and Tyson Chandler are all free agents, and the Hawks would put themselves in a position to acquire one of them. Freeing themselves of Smith also allows them to retain their 6th man Crawford, and as I mentioned earlier, he is an integral piece to their success. Signing for example Tyson Chandler gives much needed size to Atlanta and allows them to be able to contend with the upper echelon of the league. Al Horford would return to his regular power forward position, something both he, and his father Tito have requested but Atlanta failed to find a center.

5. The Nets acquire a power forward who is extremely gifted athletically, plays tremendous defense, runs the floor well, known league-wide as a terrific shot blocker, and is a great finisher at the rim. He is the player the Nets wanted out of Favors, and would undoubtedly bring back memories to Nets fans of Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin in the earlier part of the decade. Would be the ideal player to fit next to Lopez because he is so athletic and a defensive nightmare, while Lopez would focus on low post scoring and rebounding.

This is my first FanPost, so I gladly would appreciate criticisms on how to improve, and I look forward to your opinions.

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