Free Agent Spotlight: Josh Smith

Posted by HoopsAvenue on July 11, 2008 under Atlanta Hawks, NBA Rumors | Be the First to Comment

The dominoes are falling fast in free agency this summer. We’ve already got Gilbert Arenas re-signing in Washington, Elton Brand going to Philadelphia, Corey Maggette and Baron Davis swapping teams, and Lebron James going to New Jersey (oh wait, that’s not for 2 more years). Josh Smith, though, hasn’t made a decision yet. Mostly that’s because he’s just outside the top tier of free agents, but, after this season’s playoff performance, maybe he should be more of a priority? Regardless, the man is going to make big money and he’s still seeking a monster deal, and that is what makes his free agency so interesting. Nobody doubts Josh Smith’s athleticism or ability to put up numbers, but is he the kind of player that can carry a team? It looks like the Sixers don’t think so now that they passed up Smith and sunk their money into Elton Brand. Most teams would probably do the same going for the reliable big man over the flashy athlete.

So, the Hawks are facing a pretty big question these days as they try to decide what to do with Josh Smith. With the Clippers losing Brand and Maggette, they are probably going to make a big offer to Smith. They’re going to make a big offer, it’s just a matter of whether it goes to Smith or Emeka Okafor. Smith would seemingly be the better fit for the LA market and that seems to be how Donald Sterling makes his decisions most of the time. Now, Smith is restricted so assuming he does get a big offer from the Clippers, the Hawks would have 7 days to match it.  Should the Hawks go all-in on Josh Smith?

If I’m the Hawks, I do it.  It’s true Smith is young and mostly unproven, but we’ve seen what he can do in the playoffs and for the city of Atlanta.  Barring an injury, there should be a lot of exciting games and a pretty good team in Atlanta for years to come.  He is not going to be Lebron or Duncan, but neither is anyone else on the market right now and you can’t attract them to a listless franchise anyway.  Atlanta probably never will be a championship team with Josh Smith as its centerpiece, but when you’re putting “championship” and “Atlanta” in the same sentence, you’re probably dreaming anyways.  Don’t ruin a good thing, Hotlanta.  Re-sign Josh Smith.