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It's starting to look like a quiet day for the Brooklyn Nets.
In tweets, Adrian Wojnarowski and Sam Amick are painting a picture of the Nets falling behind in their pursuit of Josh Smith and not that interested in much else, including Paul Pierce. It's uncertain if the Nets have any other irons in the fire.
If Brooklyn doesn't do a deal for Josh Smith -- and Nets are a long-shot -- they'll probably do nothing at the deadline, sources tell Y!
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013
Sam Amick of USA Today agrees...
Brooklyn is on outside looking in of Paul Pierce & Josh Smith situations, and is ready not to make a deal if it doesn't make sense.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 21, 2013
However, despite that and reports out of Atlanta that the Hawks may hang on to Smith, Stefan Bondy tweets that he's been assured the Nets still believe they're in the Smith sweepstakes...
Nets havent given up on Josh Smith, still believe they're in it, according to a league source.
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) February 21, 2013
In a series of tweets, Woj laid out Smith trade scenarios for the Bucks and Suns, and noting that the Rockets are also in the mix. Not the Nets.
Milwaukee, Phoenix emerging as frontrunners for Josh Smith deal, league sources tell Y! Sports. Boston still a "darkhorse," one source says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013
Hawks, Bucks seriously talking on Josh Smith deal, sources tell Y! Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh among players discussed for Smith, Devin Harris.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013
Devin Harris could appeal to the Bucks since he is both a Milwaukee native and expiring contract.
Chris Broussard and Amick both insist that the Bucks are not trading Ellis despite reports that he will opt out of an $11 million contract year in July.
Sources insist Bucks not trading Monte Ellis to ATL in JSmith deal
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 21, 2013
A possible Bucks deal for Josh Smith is "unlikely" to include Monta Ellis, league source tells @cbssports. As of now, no deal in place.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 21, 2013
The Nets were believed to working on a deal that would move Kris Humphries to a third team who would help facilitate the deal. Atlanta reportedly doesn't want to take on additional salary next year and Hump is owed $12 million.
Inside the front office, league sources insist there is no desperation. As P.J. Carlesimo told Mike Lupica on ESPN Radio shortly after noon...
it’s really what’s gonna happen in the last couple hours. If someone changes off of what they’re offering or what they’re looking for, Billy’s not afraid of doing something. We have some pretty good pieces if we want to make a deal, but unless it’s something he feels is gonna help us long term, then he’s not gonna do it."
Carlesimo's comment about "long-term" help may be a hint that the Nets are not that interested in Paul Pierce, who the Celtics called about Wednesday.