NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Deals Atlanta Hawks Should Consider for Josh Smith

As soon as the lockout lifts, the Atlanta Hawks need to try to trade Josh Smith. But whom should they trade him for?

These five deals are ones the Hawks management should accept immediately if they are ever proposed by the other team. 

Each one fills a need and, more importantly, helps the Hawks finally rid themselves of the Smith drama. 

If at this point you're still curious as to why the Hawks should trade the ultra-talented, high-flying forward, read the following article: NBA Trade Talk: Atlanta Hawks and Josh Smith Need To Part Ways.

With that out of the way, read on for five deals the Atlanta Hawks should consider for Josh Smith. 

Adam Fromal is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter: @Fromal09.

Trade with the Los Angeles Lakers

Atlanta Gets

Pau Gasol and a 2012 second-round draft pick

Los Angeles Gets

Josh Smith and Kirk Hinrich

Analysis

In one fell swoop, the Hawks could get rid of the nightly frustration known as Josh Smith and veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich, which would firmly open up the door for Jeff Teague to take over the offense. In return, the Hawks would get a legitimate seven-footer who could team up with Al Horford to create one of the best frontcourts in the entire league. 

The Lakers, on the other hand, get to make a change—something they seem desperate to do—while bringing in a young, athletic forward and a viable, defensively oriented guard. 

Trade with the Orlando Magic

Atlanta Gets

Jameer Nelson, Daniel Orton, Ryan Anderson and a 2012 second-round pick

Orland Gets

Josh Smith

Analysis

Here, the Hawks get a young big man with potential in Daniel Orton, a solid power forward on the rise in Ryan Anderson and a formerly great point guard in Jameer Nelson to help mentor Jeff Teague as he makes the transition to full-time starter. Because they're still getting the smaller stick in this deal, the Hawks would also be compensated with a 2012 second-round pick. 

Orlando really only needs to get back Josh Smith here. With J-Smoove in place, Dwight Howard would be much more likely to stay in Orlando. The Magic would have one of the best defensive teams in the country. 

Trade with the Philadelphia 76ers

Atlanta Gets

Andre Iguodala and a 2012 second-round pick

Philadelphia Gets

Josh Smith 

Analysis

The Philadelphia 76ers have seemed desperate to unload Andre Iguodala, and getting Josh Smith in return might be the absolute best they can do. 

Atlanta would get a great player back in return, one that can contribute at either small forward or shooting guard and on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court. Smith is still a little bit better than Iguodala though, so the 76ers would need to include that 2012 second-round draft pick. 

Trade with the Golden State Warriors

Atlanta Gets

Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins

Golden State Gets

Josh Smith and Kirk Hinrich

Analysis

In this trade, the Hawks once again unload both Smith and Hinrich while bringing in players that fit two of their needs. 

Monta Ellis is a great scoring guard and could help fill in at point guard while Jeff Teague continues to develop. He would also make re-signing Jamal Crawford pointless, allowing the Hawks the cap room to pursue some other players on the open market. 

Biedrins on the other hand would be a serviceable center until Keith Benson is fully capable of taking the reins at that positions. 

As for Golden State, they'd be able to use Hinrich as a backup guard while Smith would start without question. He'd also bring a much-needed defensive presence to the Warriors. 

Trade with the Dallas Mavericks

Atlanta Gets

Tyson Chandler and Rodrigue Beaubois

Orland Gets

Josh Smith

Analysis

Could a trade with the defending champions really be possible? If the Mavericks end up re-signing Tyson Chandler, it absolutely could. 

Trading Smith to the Mavericks would make Dallas' team much younger and give it another viable option at the forward position as Shawn Marion gets older. It also wouldn't hurt the Mavs at all to get rid of Rodrigue Beaubois, who has a ridiculously high upside but is stuck behind Jason Kidd, J.J. Barea and Rudy Fernandez. 

The Hawks here would gain a great defensive center, allowing Al Horford to shift almost exclusively to his more natural position at power forward. Additionally, they would get the services of Beaubois and have him become part of a dynamic backcourt from which one future stud would almost have to emerge. 

Adam Fromal is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter: @Fromal09.