Josh Smith
Tale of the tape: The 27-year-old, 6’9″, 225-lb. Smith averages 17.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per 36 minutes this season, shooting 44.8% from the field with a 47.9% effective field goal percentage and a 17.3 PER. Smith has been fined and suspended by the Hawks this season for conduct detrimental to the team, and his agent will meet with Hawks GM Danny Ferry this week to discuss Smith’s future with the team.
Contract: Smith is owed $13.2 million in 2012-13 and is an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Roundtable:
Justin DeFeo: Playing next to Brook Lopez, Smith fits in perfectly. Think of him as Kris Humphries on steroids. He’s able to fill in a lot of the gaps that Lopez is weak in with his athleticism and defensive prowess. He’s already familiar with the offensive stylings of Joe Johnson and has never played with a point guard as elite as Deron Williams. Not sure what exactly the Hawks would be looking for in return for him, but Smith seems like the most “attainable” of our list.
Mark Ginocchio: If we judged players based on the back of their basketball card, Josh Smith seems like a real candidate. But we don’t. Too many stupid, ill-advised jumpers on a team filled with guys who like holding the ball a lot. Plus that max contract he wants. Plus there’s no chance the Brooklyn Nets have the assets to pull this off. Pass, pass, pass.
John Hood: Good fit. Smith and Gerald Wallace could provide an interchangeable tandem, which would give opposing forwards fits. From a defensive standpoint, acquiring Smith will greatly improve the Brooklyn Nets interior defense. However, offensively Smith could disrupt a Nets offense that is constantly looking for the open man. It’s unlikely that the Hawks would deal Smith to the Nets, unless he states he will not re-sign with the team in the offseason.
Devin Kharpertian: I have an irrational belief in Josh Smith. I do think that, despite all his issues, he can function as one of the league’s best power forwards. But the key word in that sentence is “can.” Whether or not he does is another matter; this season Smith is posting career-low efficiency across the board, shooting long jumpers like it’s his destiny, and driving yet another coach crazy. If the Brooklyn Nets believe P.J. can get through to him, and the Hawks are willing to sell him for pennies on the dollar, then by all means, make the call. But it doesn’t seem likely.
Max Weisberg: If you watched Knicks-Hawks Sunday night, you’ll know that J-Smoove isn’t always “smoove.” He cost the Hawks the victory with some reckless plays down the stretch. Aside from the fact that Humphries, Brooks and picks will not be able to land Josh Smith, whoever acquires him would most likely have to pay him maximum money. For Brooklyn, a team with three max-contract players, that might be hard to do. No question he would help the Brooklyn Nets in many ways with his shot-blocking, his offensive game, and most importantly, his athleticism. But with the limited assets the Nets have, J-Smoove does not seem all too realistic.
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