NBA Trade Rumors: 7 Best Scenarios for Josh Smith

The Atlanta Hawks have a problem with Josh Smith, and you can tell just what that is from the picture. No matter how many positives he brings to the table defensively or offensively in the post, he finds a way to negate his best work with his jump shot.

When Smith takes his man to the post, it truly is a sight for sore Atlanta fan eyes. He possesses a rare quickness for his size, along with athleticism that parallels the Human Highlight Film himself, Dominique Wilkins. He has a bevy of post moves that, when applied, are virtually unstoppable.

He also happens to be the primary play maker for the Atlanta Hawks. Not just his delicious dunks or seat-clearing blocks, but his energy and charisma—and his ability to legitimately run the break—make him one of the most sought after stars this offseason.

If there's anyone that gets Atlanta fans out of their seats, it's Josh Smith, and trust me, he makes them get up one way or another.

If it's not his soaring slams causing a pandemonium inside Philip's Arena, it's his possession killing jump shots. He often finds himself floating around the perimeter nearing the end of the shot clock, making him an easy passing target for a buzzer beating attempt.

And all too often, he'll catch the ball, square up his man, scare him into a stand still, as he's terrified of Smith putting the ball on the floor, and then Smith shoots right over the top of the defender he easily could have taken to the hole.

Therein lies Atlanta's problem. He won't listen to the plea of the fans or the comments of the coach—he wants to show he can do it his way.

These problems seem reasonably fixable, but my sentiments aside, it's become painstakingly clear that the Hawk's are shopping Josh Smith.

These seven deals are not necessarily likely, nor are they necessarily probable, but these are all possible deals the Hawks should consider if they do, in fact, part ways with Josh Smith.

7. Josh Smith for Al Jefferson

In a swap of disgruntled players, the Hawks receive a versatile power forward/center who possesses several great moves on the block, this along with footwork that Al Horford could look to emulate.

His height and wing-span rival Smith's, and although his athleticism doesn't make him the A+ defender Smith is, he is definitely no slouch on that end. 

Both players seem to want a change of scenery, rather that means new management, coaches, or new teams; something needs to change within these franchises.

The Jazz seem to be starting fresh, and Jefferson doesn't appear to be in the team's future. Replacing him with Smith gives the Jazz a defensive stalwart who was the youngest player ever to reach 1,000 blocks.

A new coach not from the Woodson coaching tree could help discipline him into a consistent post player who rarely strays to the perimeter.

Although the trade seems unlikely, it could benefit both teams.

6. Josh Smith for Monta Ellis

Both of these players seem to be hot commodities on the market this offseason, so a swap between the two doesn't seem so far-fetched.

The Hawks receiving Ellis would give them a dynamic scorer that could provide a fresh look to what has become a rather stagnant and predictable offense. This could give the Hawks several different potential lineups in which they could flip-flop their four guards of Teague, Hinrich, Ellis, and Johnson.

The first three are capable of manning the point, each in their own different styles, and a line up of Teague, Ellis, and Johnson (manning the 3-spot) would be one of the quickest in the league.

Several new offensive looks would be nice for the Hawks, but losing Smith leaves a gaping hole on the defensive end, one that the Hawks would have to look to fill in Free Agency. Who knows, maybe Keith Benson could beef up and develop into a consistent shot blocker and defensive force.

The Warriors acquire a dominant defensive centerpiece and get rid of Ellis to make room for rookie Klay Thompson, who seems to be more capable of co-existing with Stephen Curry.

Golden State all of a sudden becomes a serious playoff contender with a deadly front line that also includes the developing Ekpe Udoh and Jeremy Tyler. 

5. Josh Smith for Andrew Bogut and Larry Sanders

In this trade, the Hawks receive a dominant shot blocking center who knows his place both offensively and defensively. With his addition, Al Horford could slide down to his natural power forward position, and the Hawks could gain a useful back up for Horford in the young Larry Sanders.

While Smith's exit would leave a hole at the small forward position (because Marvin Williams is not the answer), the Hawks would most likely need to look to fill that void through free agency.

The Bucks add to their steadily increasing athletic lineup. Smith teams up with Mbah a Moute to create one of the most dominant forward defensive lineups in the NBA, while Jennings and Jackson provide the scoring spark in the back court.

Milwaukee suddenly turns into one of the most explosive teams in the NBA.

4. Josh Smith for Anthony Morrow and Brook Lopez

If the Nets want to keep Deron Williams, they have to show they are willing to surround him with sufficient talent at all positions.

Josh Smith gives Williams the explosive running mate he never had in Utah. With the drafting of Marshon Brooks, Anthony Morrow suddenly becomes expendable and Jordan Williams provides the Nets with a monster on the boards, one who will rebound exponentially better than Lopez ever did. 

The Hawks get help at the center position in Lopez, one that puts Horford back at his natural power forward slot. Morrow, much like Ellis would have (just to a lesser extent), provides several new offensive looks in which the Hawks could throw multifaceted guard lineups at their opponents. 

3. Josh Smith and Damien Wilkins for Kevin Martin and Jordan Hill

In this trade, the Hawks would receive a young, extremely talented scoring guard in Kevin Martin, who could make Johnson and his gargantuan contract expendable (to a certain degree).

To replace Smith would be the potential-filled Jordan Hill, who has an unmatched motor and is slowly but surely developing into a productive forward in the league.

This would still leave Horford manning the center, a position in which he is certainly capable of succeeding in (as shown by his Third Team All-American placement there), but would, again, give the Hawks many new looks on offense in the back court.

The Rockets receive Smith, who reportedly is interested in Houston, and puts him in an already deadly front court of Luis Scola and the developing Patrick Patterson. Instantly, Houston becomes a defensive problem for every team in the Southwest division, as his athleticism is sure to give Duncan, Randolph, West, and even Nowitzki fits.

The Hawks would also need to re-sign Damien Wilkins and ship him off to Houston. Wilkins is a perfectly serviceable defensive guard, who is offensively sufficient and was not given ample opportunity in his tenure in Atlanta. 

2. Josh Smith and Marvin Williams for Andre Igoudala and Mareese Speights

Along with Ellis, Igoudala's name has frequently been tossed around in trade talks, and so a Smith-Igoudala swap doesn't seem totally out of the question.

The Hawks would get a dynamic swing man and a usable center, and would all of a sudden give them one of the best lineups in basketball. A Teague (or Hinrich), Johnson, Igoudala, Horford, and Speights starting five would be one of the most well-rounded line ups in the league, and also one of the most explosive.

The 76ers finally get rid of Igoudala, who they seem to be ferociously shopping, and receive an athletic replacement who brings more defensive stability to Philadelphia. And who better to learn from than coach Doug Collins, who has a knack for improving teams and players rather quickly?

Ditto goes for Marvin Williams.

The Hawks finally get rid of Williams, who'd love a fresh start, and he, too, can learn quickly under Collins, and potentially shred his label as a bust.

1. 3-Way Trade Between Magic-76ers-Hawks

With this trade being so out there, I couldn't decide between a Warriors-Magic-Hawks trade or a 76ers-Magic-Hawks trade. They both seem slightly possible, and they both seem completely impossible, so I looked at it from all angles and decided that the latter trade made more sense for both teams.

The trade is as follows:

76ers receive Joe Johnson, Daniel Orton

Magic receive Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Craig Brackins

Hawks receive Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, and Jodie Meeks

In this trade, everyone gets what they would be looking for in this hypothetical world of trades.

The 76ers, who were feverishly chasing Ellis, get a more experienced, bigger, and better over-all shooting guard in Joe Johnson. The Magic and 76ers swap project forwards in Orton and Brackins as the former Kentucky Wildcat gets a shot in a new city, one in which more playing time would be readily available.

If the Magic come to the conclusion that Dwight Howard is going to leave, they may very well take the Utah Jazz philosophy and trade him before any true drama starts, just as the Jazz did with Deron Williams.

In this trade, the Magic get what is hardly a defensive consolation prize in Josh Smith, who is sure to have a similar shot blocking affect. A change of scenery is looking like the best thing for Marvin Williams, as Atlanta fans will never come to terms with the fact he was picked over Chris Paul. He's not a bad player and a fresh start would prove beneficial for him.

Craig Brackins would likely see more action on an Orlando team missing Howard, and I'm sure the Magic wouldn't mind working on the athletic project Brackins is.

Dwight Howard comes home to Atlanta, a move that instantly makes Atlanta a title contender, and Iguodala tags along, which gives the Hawks the best 3-4-5 lineup in the NBA (Iguodala-Horford-Howard).

The Hawks are clearly the winner in this trade, and Jodie Meeks, a shooting guard with a sweet stroke, is thrown in for kicks. Clearly this is a full-fledged remodeling project for Atlanta, but one in which they'd take in a heartbeat. 

Conclusion

The ASG hasn't shown any signs of wanting to be a real contender, neither has Hawks GM Rick Sund. If they are serious about the future, they will definitely explore a trade, which will dramatically shake up the roster, whether it's any trade on here, or something else.

The Hawks can get serious talent for Josh Smith, and they shouldn't settle for some pathetic Jameer Nelson and Brandon Bass trade. But if the Hawks truly want something special for him, it's going to take some audacity from the front office.