NBA Trade Rumors: Why Atlanta Hawks Would Be Insane to Trade Josh Smith

While the NBA has yet to recognize Josh Smith as an All-Star, there should be no doubt in the Atlanta Hawks' organization that he's playing like one. The rumors suggesting that Atlanta just might send its power forward packing are nothing short of mind-boggling.

Sure, there's a good case to be made that the Hawks need to make a move of some kind. On the heels of a surprisingly effective January, Atlanta struggled through a dreadful 4-9 record in February.

You can hardly blame Smith for any of that, though. Al Horford hasn't played since Jan. 11, and Kirk Hinrich has struggled to find consistency since his late-January return.

The missing pieces are only half the story. Atlanta's hurt goes far deeper than injuries alone can possibly explain.

Joe Johnson scored an impressive 19.8 points a game during the successful January stretch, but he averaged only 14.5 points on 39 percent shooting in February. His only statistical category not to dip was turnovers.

That's never a good sign.

In contrast, Josh Smith's February serves as an airtight case against moving the versatile forward anytime soon. 

Let's start with the numbers. In February, Smith averaged 17.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.8 steals. His field-goal percentage did take a steep drop (to 41 percent), but that probably has more to do with the Hawks' limited options on offense than it does Smith's play.

Besides his obvious production as a scorer and rebounding presence, two things should stand out.

First, Smith led the Hawks in assists over that time span as a power forward, besting the starting backcourt of Johnson (3.7) and Jeff Teague (2.8). That says a lot about Smith's ability to facilitate offense, but it should say even more about how good he'd be playing alongside an experienced, pass-first point guard. Teague is a lot of good things, but he's not that point guard—at least not yet.

Second, Smith is capable of making big defensive plays like few others at his position. His ability to disrupt shots speaks volumes, but more importantly, Smith is well adept at breaking up plays and starting the fast break (an invaluable resource for a team whose offense stagnates all too easily).

Can Atlanta replace Smith's productivity and unique skill set? Possibly. 

However, even if it found good value in a trade, it would be hard-pressed to find an athlete who so consistently readies himself for the big games.

Against the up-and-coming Pacers, Smith scored 28 points and collected 12 boards while accumulating five steals and three blocks on the defensive end. Two day later, he dropped 23 and 19 on the Magic while dishing five assists. Atlanta won both of those games, proving that the Hawks could compete with some of the East's better teams even in the midst of a dramatic slump.

More recently, Smith put together two more gems in a back-to-back against Milwaukee and Oklahoma City. In a five-point win over the always-dangerous Bucks, Smith tallied 24 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks only to best that performance with a 30-point outing in a seven-point statement against the Thunder.

Both victories came without an injured Joe Johnson, and both victories should put to rest any doubts about Josh Smith's value to the Atlanta Hawks.

What's more, it's not easy to find forwards with Smith's size, athleticism and ability to excel on both sides of the ball. Yes, Atlanta could probably use upgrades at the point and on the wing alike, but at what cost?  

Smith will make $13.2 million next season—the last of his current contract—and appears to be an absolute bargain when compared to Johnson and his albatross of a contract. GM Rick Sund should stop taking calls from Smith's suitors and instead do everything within his power to sign the 26-year-old to an extension before his contract runs out.

The one and only reason Atlanta should entertain trade inquiries is if it truly believes Smith will eventually bolt as a free agent. While it's plausible he may prefer a change of scenery to play out his prime, it would be surprising if the Hawks couldn't convince Smith to stay.

After all, Smith is from Atlanta and has played with the Hawks since the organization drafted him 17th overall in 2004. Since he emerged as one of the team's centerpieces in his third season, Atlanta has made the playoffs for four consecutive seasons and reached the semifinals in its last three. 

The Hawks may not deserve to be in the same conversation as the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls, but how many teams do? More importantly, when Smith becomes a free agent after next season, how many teams with the money to tempt him will be on par with the Hawks (much less Miami or Chicago)?

The Hawks are significantly better with Josh Smith, and Josh Smith is probably better off with the Hawks. Sund and his accountants may be a bit gun-shy with Joe Johnson's astronomical salary on the books, but this is no time to fear commitment.

It's time to keep Josh in a Hawks uniform for years to come.