NBA Trade Speculation: 5 Frontcourts Josh Smith Complements Best

Despite a more than imminent NBA lockout heading into next season, players and teams are still sparking trade talks around the league.

High profile players like Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard and the Atlanta Hawks' Josh Smith have all been speculated in switching teams before next year.

Smith, who's been in Atlanta for seven seasons, has already been mentioned among management decisions heading into the 2011-2012 campaign, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

Numerous NBA teams would draw immediate interest in acquiring Smith and his defensive abilities.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Orlando Magic could all be major players in unloading young talent for a 25-year-old power forward.

With that said, here are the top-five landing spots that Smith would best compliment.

5. Washington Wizards

This may be a stretch, but I truly believe the Washington Wizards would serve as an ample landing spot for Josh Smith.

Smith's still young, runs the floor well and could easily team-up with John Wall for three or four alley oops a game.

As it stands right now, the Wizards have Andray Blatche at the No. 4 spot. 

Blatche is a solid player, but Smith is much more offensively balanced and offers an all-around better low-post defense.

Even if Washington wants to keep their current power forward, Rashard Lewis could easily be bumped from the three spot.

Given a season or two, in an offense that features Wall and Nick Young, Smith could revamp and excel his game to the next level.

4. Miami Heat

In order for Josh Smith to fit in with the Miami Heat, Chris Bosh would have to move to center.

Bosh has the length to do so, but not really the build and physical demeanor to pose as a defensive threat.

With that said, grabbing Smith from an in-conference Atlanta could put the Heat over the top, giving them the defense they could have used in this year's NBA Finals against Dirk Nowitzki and Dallas.

Granted, Miami would more than likely have to part ways with Mario Chalmers in a Smith trade, but it would do wonders for their overall defensive potential.

It may be a bigger stretch than Washington, but Smith would surely fit right in with the high-flying threesome.

3. New Orleans Hornets

With David West on the fast track out of New Orleans, the Hornets could very well be in the market for a frontcourt threat.

Not only would Smith fit in nicely as a solid scoring replacement for West, but he'd serve as a temporary solution for keeping Chris Paul's interests at a team friendly level.

Moving to the Western Conference shouldn't effect the 25-year-old too much and it could actually translate into a career year, whenever the next NBA season commences.

With a defense-first Emeka Okafor at center, Smith's arrival could transform New Orleans into one of the best defensive teams in the conference.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers need to make a splash before next season.

Everybody knows that.

They've already hired a new head coach, Mike Brown.

They've already been rumored as major players in the Monta Ellis-Andre Iguodala trade market. Most importantly, Kobe Bryant is still the hungriest player in the league and shouldn't stop at anything in putting together the best team possible.

Trading for Josh Smith and letting go of Andrew Bynum could be the best hand to play for Jerry Buss and the Lakers.

Bynum has been extremely injury prone throughout his career and has been too inconsistent when he actually plays.

Pau Gasol could move to center, Smith could shift into the four spot and the purple and yellow jerseys could once again be relevant at the end of the season.

This may be the best fit systematically for Smith, but nothing is certain until the players take the floor and the trophy is raised.

1. Orlando Magic

All things considered, I think the Orlando Magic are the best all-around fit for Josh Smith.

Can you imagine a frontcourt that features Smith and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard?

It would be a circus of blocked shots.

Smith's offense would be an immediate upgrade over Brandon Bass, even though Bass is no slouch.

Also, with free-agent Jason Richardson's future hanging in the balance, Orlando needs any and all fire power they can get their hands on.

The more they have, the better the chance of Howard staying put in Florida.

Defensively, this is a smart move, but on the management side of things, trading for Smith is down right intelligent.