Smith Might Be Forced Back to Hawks

I am so serious, finding out about ↵that Marcus Camby trade paralyzed what was supposed to be a night off for me. So sorry if I didn’t quite cram in the even further repercussions: Its effect on the life and times of Josh Smith.↵
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↵With the Sixers landing Elton Brand, the Clippers looked to be in pursuit of J-Smoov. Then this Camby deal. So all of a sudden, you’ve got a player looking to command at least $10 million a year, with a shortage of suitors. Oh well, at least there’s always that miserable team that drafted him. Similar situation to Andre Iguodala’s dilemma.↵
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↵According to SI.com’s Chris Mannix, though, that might not be an option:↵↵⇥As I reported in Sports Illustrated during last season, league sources said Smith would not be interested in returning to the Hawks if the team retained coach Mike Woodson, who recently signed a two-year extension. The two have butted heads frequently in Smith’s four seasons, and sources said the relationship is beyond repair. With a dearth of offers, Smith may change his tune, but having a volatile relationship on such a young team may not be in the Hawks’ best interests.↵↵Talk about a pickle. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more promising player than Smith; he’s like Camby and Iguodala rolled up into one, and has shown signs of development with little or not meaningful mentorship. But Mannix is right -- if that relationship with Woodson is poisoned, and basically useless, there might be an impasse. And for all his talent, Smith is still too raw to be included in the Marion/Odom/Artest tango. Maybe the Pistons, especially if they’re trying to replace Billups with Stuckey? Then again, why pay through the nose for Smith when the team already has Maxiell and Amir Johnson waiting in the wings.↵
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↵Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the Grizzlies -- whose entire business model now consists of staying miles below the salary cap -- haven’t expressed any interested. Though they could probably make a mint off of your truly selling O.J., Mike, Rudy, Josh and Hakim shirts.↵