Josh Smith, the restricted free agent, recently visited the 76ers and they could offer him money the Hawks just would not be able to afford.
Smith is one of the young bright stars in the league who is a fierce dunker and on his way to be one of the great defenders all time. Despite his attitude problems he is the hottest free agent right now.
The Hawks made the playoffs and had took the eventual champions of the Celtics to 7 games. They were marked as one of the teams to look out for this year.
The 76ers however, another young and talented team that will be in the run next year in the East, are ruining the Hawks chances of being a threat.
The 76ers have enough cap space to get Smith to a contract offer that the Hawks cannot possibly match. The Hawks need to consider in their future of re-signing stars Joe Johnson and Al Horford.
An inside source told me the 76ers are exploring other options, like Corey Maggette, before offering a contract to Smith, in which he most likely will accept. The 76ers getting him will make them the most athletic team in the NBA that will be a threat the East.
Another team in the mix for Smith are the Golden State Warriors who will also be able to offer a large contract, but Smith favors the 76ers over them.
The Hawks, however, will be losing one of their best assets, but they can overcome that to remain in the playoffs in the East.
Joe Johnson is a star in the league and proved that against the Celtics in the playoffs. Al Horford had also proven he can be a legit big man in the leauge just after his rookie season. He has shown he is a rebounding machine.
The two main stars of the team are helped by veteran point guard Mike Bibby and still waiting to be a factor Marvin Williams.
Keeping Bibby will be smart because of his large expiring contract at the end of the season. This will give them a lot of cap space to work with next summer.
If Smith decides to flee from Atlanta the Hawks new GM Sund would need to get to work this Summer.
Smith did have problems in the organization because of his attitude. A big problem was with coach Mike Woodson. With Smith gone all the distractions will not be a problem no more. The team can be more well balanced then.
With Smith also leaving the team will have cap space to get depth and future cap space to re-sign vital players.
Josh Childress, a sixth man of the year candidate, had a very solid season last year. He is a free agent that will expect to re-sign with the Hawks.
Childress can rebound and takes good shots, unlike Josh Smith. He should be bumped up to the starting lineup to help them out. He can also help them with his defense.
Salim Stoudamire is a restricted free agent who did not get too much of a chance to prove anything. Expect him to re-sign to help be a back up shooting guard.
If there is a sign and trade with the 76ers, the 76ers could send a guy like promising Reggie Evans to the Hawks to add depth to the front court.
A trade possibility is to trade for Al Harrington of the Warriors. They want to get rid of him and he would be able to fit the Hawks very well. A possibility is to send Speedy Claxton and a draft pick for Harrington.
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5 months ago
I might be selfish but I would take Livingson, after we (being the Sixers) Land Josh Smith. People are sleeping on this kid.
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