Rumor On KNBR: Warriors trying to trade for Josh Smith

Josh Smith for Harrington/Wright/Bellinelli...

anybody else hear this??? is this possible/realistic?? Would you do it?? Brooks said he'd do it in a heartbeat...i'd have to see what kind of contract we could sign him for...

 

If its for those players you're reporting, then yeah do it in a heartbeat.


And nice avy by the way. lol

 

NOOOOOO! This looks like just another quick fix. Wright could be Josh Smith if you're patient, he'll be a better shooter and smarter player. Josh Smith is just another Darius Miles knucklehead waiting to happen (okay a bit extreme). He's undisciplined. You don't learn to play in the NBA. You either have it or you don't. Brandon has it; Josh does not.

This is just an unsubstantiated rumour that was started by Sekou Smith in Atlanta who writes:

HE ORIGINAL AL H: If you didn’t know the power of this blog, you will now.

While baking last night at the Campbell Middle School football field (watching the Smyrna Spartans opening practice, long story, tell you later) my cell phone rings and former Hawks captain Al Harrington is on the line.

He’s calling from Vegas to find out if what he’s heard is true, that I wrote a story about him being traded back to the Hawks in a package for Josh Smith.

After we laughed and clowned for a couple of minutes I reassured Al that I wrote nothing of the sort. I explained to him that what he was talking about was a conversation that originated here, strictly a hypothetical conversation cooked up by the world’s greatest bloggers (I saw the 600 posts last week and then we bang out almost 400 more on Switching lanes - y’all are some monsters. And I love the diversity of opinion, that’s what makes this place fun to hang out in).

The writer in the Bay Area that relayed to him that a story about the trade was written by me has to answer to me later - dude already owes me $178 for getting my rental car impounded on a Western Conference road trip a couple years back, so he’s on thin ice with me as it is.

But for the record, and for the sake of Al’s mental health, I’ve neither written nor heard anything of the sort regarding him being traded to the Hawks. He won’t have to deal with us again. Ha.

So this is not going to happen.

 

As much as I like Wright, I would do that trade in a second. Would we even have enough cap room left after that trade to satisfy Smith? PF is very uncertain right now for the Warriors, Wright is not ready to start yet IMO, but I don't want to see him buried behind Al either, who is the weak link on this starting lineup and by far the most inconsistent player. And if Wright does start getting more minutes, Al's probably going to get disgruntled, so I see the current situation at PF being a potential mess despite both players there having some talent. I would not mind moving Belinelli if we get something in return.

PG: Ellis | Williams | Watson
SG: SJax | Azubuike | Morrow
SF: Maggette | Azubuike | Randolph
PF: J. Smith | Hendrix | Randolph
C: Biedrins | Turiaf

I mean you have to admit that is an intimidating lineup that's also pretty deep. Basically 4 starters capable of averaging 20 ppg plus Biedrins who could probably get 14-15 or so with more minutes. A good mix of athletic, speedy, and beefy bodies, and an upgrade over last year's freethrowing, both in the ability to get to the line and rack up points there. With that potential lineup:

PG: Baron 5.2 @ 75.0% vs. Monta 5.2 @ 76.7% (advantage: 08-09 team)
SG: Ellis 5.2 @ 76.7% vs. SJax 5.1 @ 83.2% (advantage: 08-09 team)
SF: SJax 5.1 @ 83.2% vs. Maggette 9.7 @ 81.2% (advantage: 08-09 team)
PF: Harrington 3.2 @ 71.7% vs. J. Smith 5.8 @ 71.0% (advantage: 08-09 team)
C: Biedrins 2.5 @ 62% (same)

Of course, most of the same applies to the current lineup without Smith, so I think we'll be better from the line this year regardless, and I think Biedrins will improve his FT% a bit more this year as he has every year in the league.

Anyway, I give this trade less than a 1% chance of happening, and I certainly won't be disappointed if we start the season with the current lineup, except for Harrington being so soft at PF. I do want to see what Wright is capable of too, I just have the feeling he's going to be a little shaky this year until he really gets some major minutes under him.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HiRez @ Jul 29 2008, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Anyway, I give this trade less than a 1% chance of happening, and I certainly won't be disappointed if we start the season with the current lineup, except for Harrington being so soft at PF. I do want to see what Wright is capable of too, I just have the feeling he's going to be a little shaky this year until he really gets some major minutes under him.</div>

Yeah, I agree, Harrington is annoying at PF, he tries hard but he is so flatfooted -- he's 6'9" and he can barely touch the rim. There's just no power in his game.

I agree that Wright could be a bit shaky in the starter's role, but at least there are four players in the starting line-up in Jax, Mags, Monta and Beans that all can carry the load and take the pressure off him. It's not like he's a #1 pick being asked to come in and be the franchise savior. If he can just hustle, stay out of trouble, and mix-it up on the glass and inside, he should do fine.

 

I'd do this only if we can add our 09 1st instead of Wright. I think Wright was a great value pick at number 9 or 8, whatever he was. Before the draft people were saying he was the 3rd best player in a deep draft and I don't think he's done anything to lower his stock.

Ultimately I think there's room for both of them on the team. This season I'd start Smith at PF but in 2010 when Jax leaves I'd move Smith to the 3 with Wright at 4 and Randolph as the do everything guy off the bench, similar to the role Barnes played. If Randolph shows that he needs to be in the starting lineup by then Smith could even possibly play 2 if he improves his 3 pt shooting ability. He's no more raw than Richardson was at 22 and has more natural guard ability IMO.

 

I'm torn now. At first, I thought Smith had the potential to be a perennial all-star player, but after reading some of the posters on the ATL board I'm not too sure. Smith was invisible at times in the one live game I saw him play. He wasn't the go to guy. Don't get me wrong I think Smith is a talented player, but he has his warts, too. Brandan Wright is not as proven and may yet become the better player, but he may be more the player he showed in SL and not an offensive force inside. He probably is more a big, finesse type of player than power. Smith has more of a offensive game, if not always a power one. I think Smith is ahead of Wright at this point, so if we want to win now then maybe he is the way to go. You gotta figure the Lakers or Dallas may want him, too.

 

Wright could be just as good as Josh Smith, I don't want to give up on him yet. Belinelli would be a good player in this league too, and don't want to give him up either. I wouldn't mind trading Harrington though, but we'll see what happens. I think he will go to another team out west, not us.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Legacy @ Jul 29 2008, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wright could be just as good as Josh Smith, I don't want to give up on him yet. Belinelli would be a good player in this league too, and don't want to give him up either. I wouldn't mind trading Harrington though, but we'll see what happens. I think he will go to another team out west, not us.</div>

In 2 years I'm going to give everyone a huge I told ya so, when Wright turns into the next "potential" player that turns into nothing. I'm not big on Smith, but I do this trade in a heartbeat simply to move Harrington. He's going to whine and complain all year until he's moved. Although, we might be able to get more for him at the trade deadline. The team as constructed is a 35 win team, so I'd be willing to see what we can get later. I think Smith alongside the rest of the cast might be an 8 seed in 1 year, after they gel, but then Nelly'd be gone....If the team isn't going to win, then At least they'd be fun to watch.

 

Yes, I would do it, but I would replace Bellinelli with Azubuike. I think Bellinelli has more upside than Buike and currently, he's cheaper. I think he needs to be our primary backup SG this year and this would give him the opportunity to do so. Buike is a great defender, rebounder, and has a very well-rounded game, but I think Bellinelli's potential to be an offensive stud is too great to pass up on, despite his defensive liabilities.

EDIT: RealGM says Buike has a no trade clause for any trades offers before 7/24/09. Can someone confirm this?

 

It would be funny if we landed Josh Smith though. Weren't the Clippers trying to get him? They stole Baron from us and we took Maggette, Buike, and Josh Smith, while they lost Brand all at the same time. LOL

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kensaku @ Jul 29 2008, 04:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>EDIT: RealGM says Buike has a no trade clause for any trades offers before 7/24/09. Can someone confirm this?</div>

All free agents have a three month or until Dec. 15th restriction. This is under the CBA. This happened with Pietrus last year, if you recall. Rookies only have a 30 day limitation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zhone @ Jul 29 2008, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kensaku @ Jul 29 2008, 04:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>EDIT: RealGM says Buike has a no trade clause for any trades offers before 7/24/09. Can someone confirm this?</div>

All free agents have a three month or until Dec. 15th restriction. This is under the CBA. This happened with Pietrus last year, if you recall. Rookies only have a 30 day limitation.
</div>

Duh on me. Yes, I do recall.

 

I've heard rumors of Minnesota being in the deal in a three way trade involving those players.

http://sportstwo.com/forums/Rumor-trade-t120429.html

 

I would do this move, but it's a risk due to losing promising rookies plus more importantly, taking on yet another bigass contract. Smith is a clear upgrade for offense, defense, athleticism, and rebounding, and is only 23 years old. So, talent wise, it's a good move, but business wise it's a tough swallow. I would have loved this move before signing Maggette but with four $10+ million contracts, it really takes away alot of flexibility, although I guess there's always trades to consider. Basically you'd have to believe these guys form the core of a team that can succeed.

 

I think the Warriors would be giving up too much. I like Smith. I think he would really help the defense immediately and he has almost unlimited upside. What he doesn't have his polish. He doesn't really shoot well, he doesn't really create that well with the ball, and he's inconsistent at times. It's just too much to give up both Wright and Belinelli.

Wright is also a player with unlimited upside, but I think he's got more big man fundamentals down. His biggest issue is strength, but he'll fill out eventually. I think he's going to be a stud. So keep him.

I also like Belinelli a lot. He seems to be a prototype shooting guard (a pure shooter that can pass, dribble, take over some point duties). I'm a big fan of guards like Ray Allen and Mike Miller and would be reluctant to give up Belinelli if he turns out to be just like those guys. The nba has few good shooters and I would like to see Belinelli be one of those few. Belinelli probably needs to work on his consistency. He doesn't need to shoot off balance so much... He's got a perfect release, but what spoils it is that 45 degree fade away crap. Just go right up! Even if he turns out to be another Brent Barry, I'd be more or less happy. Guys that are 6'5 and over and can run point are hard to find.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zhone @ Jul 29 2008, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would do this move, but it's a risk due to losing promising rookies plus more importantly, taking on yet another bigass contract. Smith is a clear upgrade for offense, defense, athleticism, and rebounding, and is only 23 years old. So, talent wise, it's a good move, but business wise it's a tough swallow. I would have loved this move before signing Maggette but with four $10+ million contracts, it really takes away alot of flexibility, although I guess there's always trades to consider. Basically you'd have to believe these guys form the core of a team that can succeed.</div>

You do lose a lot of flexibility immediately, barring any sort of salary dump via trade, but you do take out the guess work of weather or not your promising rookies actually become talented stars. And what if they do become talented stars, they're going to hire demanding agents, which will then turn those once promising rookies into a normal NBA player :b

Might as well take the normal NBA player now who we know can produce rather than save money (i.e. flexibility) by hoping our young guys can blossom.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/41917-j...at-be-something

 

I would do this trade in a heartbeat.

I don't lose a minute of sleep over getting rid of Harrington who is too inconsistent for my taste, and I honestly don't think Wright will ever reach his potential.

Josh Smith, however, is slowly becoming a huge force in this league, and is the most likely out of everyone mentioned in the trade, to be a star. I wouldn't be surprised to see him earn star status within 2 years. He's a tenacious defender, amazing shot blocker and athlete, has an improving jumper and offensive game, and is still only 22 years old.

Pair him up with Biedrins and we have a monster of a defensive front court.

I'm just not sure about Bellinelli, but with Corey and Captain Jack around, it already looks like he'll be relegated to the bench anyways.

Why does ATL do this though? Cap space? They believe Wright might become Josh Smith lite? The potential of Bellinelli? If anything, they should be trading for a center so they can permanently move Al Horford to PF.