The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly unwilling to offer Josh Smith a max contract after meeting with his representatives this week and will now listen to trade offers for their veteran forward, according to TNT analyst David Aldridge.
NBA rumors: Josh Smith won’t receive max contract from Hawks, according to report
Josh Smith is going to have to look elsewhere for the max contract he so desires after the Hawks reportedly decided he wasn’t worth the dough.
Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE
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Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer but the Hawks are evidently unwilling to sacrifice their expected cap flexibility to meet the Georgia native’s max contract demands. According to Aldridge, the Hawks aren’t dead set on trading Smith at this juncture, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask around and discover his value.
HoopsWorld recently reported that the Phoenix Suns were interested in acquiring Smith and more teams should come calling now that it seems the Hawks are looking like they're prepared to move on.
Smith is averaging 16.8 points, 8.6 rebound, 3.9 assists and 2.2 blocks per game in his ninth season in the league and is still only age 27, so he should have no shortage of suitors.
A sign-and-trade in the offseason is always still a possibility, which could allow Atlanta to avoid taking on any more contracts in an effort to preserve their $40+ million in cap space.
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