Josh Smith Stays In Atlanta, For Now

Josh Smith was not traded from the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks before the Feb. 21 trade deadline. In what was an otherwise lukewarm trade deadline, the Hawks’ inaction proved to be one of the more surprising decisions because the forward will be a free agent at the end of the season and could leave the team without the Hawks getting anything in return. The Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks were all in the running to acquire Smith, ESPN reports.

Smith has been non-committal as to whether he would re-sign with Atlanta in the offseason, and a source knowledgeable with regard to Smith’s intentions told USA Today it is “highly unlikely” he would re-sign. If Smith chooses to stay in Atlanta, he can sign a five-year contract worth more than $97 million, however if he chooses to leave the most another team can offer him is a four-year deal worth $72 million.

"It's not all that bad," Smith told ESPN with regard to the stress that surrounds trade talk. "I'm playing my dream job. I'm just blessed with the opportunity to be able to be a part of a special time. A lot of guys came through this league and played for the Hawks and other teams that I grew up idolizing, so it's definitely a blessing just to be here."

The Hawks, who already cut a significant portion of their payroll last summer in trading away Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams, may try and make a play for Lakers center Dwight Howard this summer, who will be a free agent this offseason. Interestingly enough, Howard and Smith played on the same AAU team in high school.

Smith is averaging 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game for the Hawks, who are 29-23 and in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. —Hal Sundt

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